Industrial gas cylinders are among the safest mediums for storing and transporting various gases. Their robustness, combined with an in-built security mechanism, offers a secure storage option for various explosive and non-explosive gases. However, due to the hazardous nature of gases, industrial gas cylinders should be handled with care to eliminate the likelihood of potential accidents.
In this comprehensive blog post, we will explore various safety tips for handling industrial gas cylinders properly. We will also learn the basics of industrial gas cylinders and why safe handling is needed.
A] Introduction to Industrial Gas Cylinders
Industrial gas cylinders are robust mediums for storing and transporting high-pressure explosive or non-explosive gases safely. They are used in various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, food and beverages, automotive, chemical, and construction. They offer an array of features, including large quantity gas storage capacity, high strength, and efficient and safe gas dispensing. These gas cylinders come in a variety of shapes and sizes to cater to various industrial demands.Â
B] Why is it Important to Handle Industrial Cylinders with Care?Â
Industrial gas cylinders may contain explosive or reactive gases. When these gases come into contact with heat sources, they react rapidly, leading to explosions. These explosions cause extensive damage to lives and properties. That’s why it is important to handle industrial cylinders with care. Several industrial gas cylinder safety recommendations can be followed to mitigate the chances of any potential accidents.
C] Industrial Gas Cylinder Safety RecommendationsÂ
1. Know the Characteristics and Properties of Cylinder
Before handling industrial gas cylinders, it is essential to understand the characteristics and properties of the gas contained within. This knowledge involves understanding gas’s combustibility, how it reacts with other substances, its toxicity, flammability limit, and the cylinder’s operating pressure. Assessing these characteristics and properties allows operators to understand gas’s behaviour and helps them in the proper handling of industrial gas cylinders.Â
2. Utilisation of Gas Cylinder Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)Â
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) safeguards operators from fire and other hazardous events. PPE gear contains respirators, gloves, goggles, helmets, safety footwear, and protective clothes. Industries should use these PPE gears to protect workers from toxic gases, severe injuries, or fatalities due to unintended accidents. Also, flame arrestors should be installed in suitable places to prevent the spread of fire in case of flammable gas leakage. Other than that, smoking, fire, light, and fire-causing substances must be kept away from storage areas.
3. Inspecting Cylinders Before Use
Industrial gas cylinders undergo many harsh conditions. It is essential to inspect every aspect of the cylinder carefully. It involves checking for bulges, cuts, dents, signs of impact, discolouration, or damage. If you are acquiring used cylinders, check for any damage and leakage rigorously. Whether it is new or used gas cylinders, incorporating these inspection practices promotes the safe use of compressed gas cylinders. It also ensures you get secure and damage-free cylinders for use.
4. Uses of Handling Equipment for Cylinder Movements
The movement of cylinders in the right way is essential to avoid any accidental situations. Clamping and moving cylinders with incompatible equipment may be dangerous. If slipped, It may cause severe injury to the surrounding workers. Therefore, it is essential to use compatible handling equipment, such as a cylinder trolley or pallet truck, for safe cylinder movement. Compatible cylinder handling equipment also protects cylinders from falling or bumping over other cylinders due to slippage. Therefore, sliding, dropping or playing with cylinders must be prohibited to ensure cylinder and surroundings safety.
5. Proper Labelling of Gas Cylinders
Proper labelling of gas cylinders is required to identify the gas content and its hazardous status
clearly. Clear and visible labelling warns the surroundings to maintain precautions. In addition, labelling also provides other benefits, such as tracking, safety, and compliance with respective regulations. Therefore, it is essential to label every industrial cylinder to promote safety and adherence to the gas cylinder storage regulations. Industries should always keep in mind that cylinder storing places are only licensed for storing cylinders, so they must not be converted into working areas.
6. Use of Cylinder Caps
A cylinder cap is a vital piece of equipment for safeguarding the cylinders from leakage in case they are not in use. It covers the cylinder’s valve by completely enclosing it, mitigating any chances of leakage. They should be used during transportation or long-term storage for the prevention of gas cylinder hazards. Doing so eliminates the chances of accidental activation and protects the surrounding areas from potential accidents.
7. Avoiding Rolling or Dragging
Rolling and dragging cause scratches, dents, and other severe damage to cylinders, hampering their structural integrity. Also, recurrent rolling and dragging may damage the cylinder’s components, leading to accidental gas release. Various industrial gas safety protocols also emphasise not rolling and dragging cylinders during displacement. In addition, conveyors, trolleys and cradles should be used to move cylinders appropriately and safely; it protects the cylinder’s valve from damage. Cylinders containing liquefiable gases should be kept in an upright position so they cannot be knocked over. Open flames, lights, mobile phones, lighting of fires, welding and smoking must be prohibited close to any cylinder containing flammable gases except for those in use for welding, cutting or heating. Industries should incorporate these cylinder safety practices to protect the structural integrity and prolong the life of industrial gas cylinders.
8. Routine Safety Checks
Industrial gas cylinders go through some intricate operating environments. They should be checked periodically to ensure their optimal structural integrity. It also ensures that cylinders are perfectly aligned with regulatory compliances. Regular safety checks should include leak tests, damage inspections, hydrostatic stretch tests, and valve inspections. If found faulty, it should be replaced with tested and certified components promptly.
9. Training and Awareness Programs
Training and awareness programs allow operators to learn gas cylinder safety guidelines from highly experienced and expert personnel. It raises awareness among workers about the hazards of gas cylinders. Industries should organise these training and awareness programs periodically to educate them about safe gas cylinder handling procedures.
10. Emergency Response Plan
A clear and actionable response plan plays a prominent role in safeguarding the lives of workers in case of fire or explosion. Industries must adopt a clear and actionable emergency response plan to manage emergencies effectively. This pre-planned approach can save lives and minimise damage in the event of leaks or fires. A competent person must supervise the whole operation.
Conclusion
Industrial gas cylinders are one of the prominent sources of energy used to power a variety of industrial machinery and tools. Though they are designed to withstand extreme industrial conditions, they must be handled with care and safety. Incorporating discussed Industrial gas cylinder safety tips into the workplace would help minimise the possibility of unforeseen accidents and thus save lives and properties.
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