Gas Cylinder Safety Guidelines

20 Gas Cylinder Safety Guidelines H. Leaks and Emergencies Pre-Planning Despite adherence to cylinder safety practices, accidents involving gases may occur. The amount of damage sustained by personnel and property from these accidents is greatly influenced by the quality of the emergency plan. Users of compressed gas cylinders must be familiar with necessary safety precautions. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for using compressed gases must include a discussion of possible accident scenarios, appropriate employee responses and should take into account the following factors: • The nature of the operation (experimental design, equipment used and type of injury that could occur. • The potential location of a release or spill (e.g., outdoors versus indoors, in a room, corridor or storage area, on a table, in a hood, or on the floor). • The quantities of material that might be released and the type of containment (i.e., compressed gas tank size, manifold systems, etc.). • The chemical and physical properties of the compressed gas (e.g., its physical state, vapor pressure and air or water reactivity). • The hazardous properties of the compressed gas (e.g., its toxicity, corrosively and flammability). • The availability and locations of emergency supplies and equipment. Plan for these emergencies by developing an Emergency Action Plan that identifies building evacuation routes, emergency telephone numbers, chemical containment procedures, fire extinguisher usage, etc. Minor Leaks Occasionally, a gas cylinder or one of its component parts may develop a leak. Most of these leaks occur at the top of the cylinder, in areas such as the valve threads, pressure safety device, valve stem, or the valve outlet. To correct minor leaks: • For non-toxic gases, verify suspected leaks using a gas detector or soapy water solution (a flame should not be used for detection). If the leak cannot be stopped by tightening a valve gland or packing nut, notify EH&S or Ames Laboratory ESH. Do not try to fix a leak on a toxic or highly toxic gas cylinder; instead initiate emergency action procedures. • For flammable (non-toxic), inert or oxidizing gases (non-toxic),