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 persons.
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.
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