Gas Cylinder Safety Guidelines

19 Gas Cylinder Safety Guidelines G. Identification and Disposal • Proper identification of the contents of all cylinders is required and is the responsibility of the cylinder owner. • Maintain manufacturer labels on cylinders. If a cylinder is empty, label the cylinder with an “Empty” tag. • Whenever possible, purchase compressed gas from ISU Chemistry Stores or Ames Laboratory Purchasing. Vendors must be able to accept an empty cylinder. • Refillable cylinders should be returned to Chemistry Stores, materials handling personnel, or directly to the vendor. Return cylinders with at least 30 pounds of pressure to reduce the risk of foreign materials entering the empty vessel. • If a refillable cylinder is encountered that does not have a manufacturer label, contact Chemistry Stores or materials handling personnel, to see if they can identify the manufacturer through stamp marks on the cylinder. • Lecture cylinders must be returned at atmospheric pressure. Empty lecture cylinders may be given to EH&S or Ames Laboratory ESH. • EH&S or Ames Laboratory Environmental, Safety, and Health (ESH) should be contacted for disposal of partially full cylinders or unwanted full cylinders. • Disposal fees for unknown cylinders are a departmental expense.