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Hazards and controls

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Safe handling practices
Housekeeping

What are the hazards?

Hazards due to the chemical properties of gas cylinders include:

• fire or explosion from the release of flammable gases near ignition sources (e.g. acetylene or liquid petroleum gas)
• spontaneous combustion from oxidising gases (e.g. oxygen or nitrous oxide)
• exposure to toxic or corrosive gases (e.g. anhydrous ammonia) or
• asphyxiation from some non-toxic, non-flammable gases by displacement of oxygen (e.g. nitrogen, carbon dioxide or argon).

Compressed gas cylinders contain gas stored under hundreds of atmospheres of pressure. A valve seals the gas in the cylinder.

The pressure related hazards include:

• damage to a valve or regulator, causing failure and leakage of the gas
• low boiling point, cryogenic or liquefied gases may cause frostbite on release
• heating of the cylinder (e.g. from fire) or impact to the pressure vessel, resulting in explosion and shrapnel.

Some gases are also denser than air (e.g. LPG, carbon dioxide). On release, these gases will tend to collect in low lying areas such as pits, depressions and basements. Depending on the chemical properties of the heavier than air gas, people working in low lying areas may be exposed to the risk of fire or explosion, asphyxiation, or exposure to toxic or corrosive gases.

When gases are released and expand, a drop in temperature occurs. In some cases (e.g. carbon dioxide) the rapid release and expansion of gas can cause a cold hazard (e.g. frostbite) to exposed people.

Large gas cylinders (e.g. G or F sized cylinders) can also be bulky, heavy, awkward objects that could cause severe strain and sprain injuries from inappropriate handling practices.

Material safety data sheets (MSDS)

• Obtain material safety data sheets (MSDS) from the supplier for each gas cylinder and keep in a register.
• Locate each MSDS close to where people who may be exposed can refer to it easily. This ensures that workers and emergency responders have easy access to information about the hazards.
• Read the MSDS to identify:
  • chemical and physical hazards from each gas cylinder
  • appropriate safe storage and handling practices
  • the need for additional control measures
  • first aid measures
  • fire fighting and emergency information.
• Conduct and record a risk assessment to identify hazards and the need for any additional control measures.
• Provide workers with information, training and effective supervision, about the hazards from gas cylinders, safe storage and handling information and what to do in an emergency.
• Document procedures to inform workers about how to store and handle gas cylinders safely.

Safe handling practices

• Avoid knocking cylinders about. Prevent damage to cylinders caused by impact from other objects (e.g. crashing into other cylinders). Some cylinders (e.g. acetylene) may react violently after being excessively shaken, heated, or knocked.
• Do not use cylinders as rollers to move other objects.
• When moving cylinders, avoid rolling them. Ensure that an appropriate mechanical handling device (e.g. cylinder trolley with a restraining strap) is used. More information on manual handling of gas cylinders is available in the Victorian Government publication, Delivering large gas cylinders - a guide to manual handling (non-Queensland Government link).
• Wear eye protection, safety shoes and gloves in gas cylinder storage and handling areas.

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Housekeeping

• Do not store objects on top of gas cylinders.
• Store full and empty cylinders separately in clearly marked areas.
• Rotate stock, ensuring a 'first in first out' process.
• Ensure gas cylinders are stored at least 3 m away from combustible materials and debris (e.g. timber, cardboard, packaging materials) to prevent flame impingement on gas cylinders in a fire.
• Do not locate gas cylinders where they may block stairs, exits, ladders or walkways.
• Keep an up-to-date and accurate inventory.
• Keep inventory quantities as low as possible.

Heat and ignition sources

• Store cylinders in cool areas away from sources of radiant heat (e.g. boilers, hot surfaces, and internal combustion engines). Where possible, store cylinders in the shade to avoid exposing cylinders to direct sunlight.
• Do not store flammable gas cylinders near sources of ignition such as naked lights or cigarette smoking.
• Where flammable gas is used, erect appropriate signs stating 'No smoking', 'No naked lights' to prevent ignition sources in these areas.

Segregate incompatible gases and dangerous goods

Corrosive liquids can damage gas cylinders on contact. Flammable liquids can spread a fire across a workplace floor and allow flames to come into contact with gas cylinders. Other dangerous goods may also be adversely affected by gas cylinders in an emergency.

For this reason, gas cylinders are kept separately from other dangerous goods and combustible liquids by at least 5 m or by using appropriate fire-rated barriers. Segregation of incompatible goods also allows fire fighters to safely use appropriate fire fighting media for each type of goods present.

Gas cylinders must also be segregated from other incompatible gases by at least 3 m or more. The following is recommended:

• Store Class 2.3 'Toxic gas' and corrosive gases (those with a subsidiary risk of Class 8 'Corrosive') away from all other gas cylinders.
• Segregate Class 2.1 'Flammable gas' during storage from all oxidising gases.

Mutually compatible gases (e.g. Class 2.2, without subsidiary risk) may be used between incompatible gases.

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