A compressed gas cylinder is one of the potential hazards in a chemical manufacturing plant. Examples of potential hazards associated with compressed gas cylinders are high-pressure gases, hazardous gases, falling objects, fire, explosion, and gas leakage.
In general, cylinders are used to store various kinds of gases such as ethylene, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, acetylene, butane, propane, oxygen, nitrogen, and methane. Those gases are flammable and non-flammable gases.
According to the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 5,160 injuries and 17 deaths in 2004 caused by pressurized containers.
If you are using compressed gas cylinders in your workplace, then you have to make sure it’s safe by doing regular inspections. Otherwise, injury, death, and property damage will occur.
This article is written to give a compressed gas cylinder safety inspection checklist, which can be used as a note for conducting a regular inspection.
Safety Inspection Checklist for Gas Cylinder
- Never receive a gas cylinder without a clear label, damaged shell, or incomplete accessories.
- Make sure the proper label attached to the cylinder. It must be clear and easy to find. This is very important to prevent misuse of certain gases.
- Is its shell in good condition? Is it already corroded?
- Are its accessories such as regulator pressure control, valve, pressure gauge, valve, and safety cap complete and in good conditions?
- It has to be stored in an upright position.
- Keep safety cap installed when it is not in use.
- Keep it under the proper storage area. It has to be free from ignition sources, heat sources, and good ventilation.
- Is it stored securely? It must be secured by lower and upper chains to prevent it from falling.
- Do not forget to check the chain condition. In general, corrosion is the main problem of the chain.
- Is the storage area free from vehicle and forklift traffics?
- Separate flammable and inflammable gases according to the standard.
- Make sure that there is no over-stock of cylinders. More cylinders mean more hazards.
- Separate empty and full cylinders.
- Put appropriate marking for this purpose.
- Use a hand truck to transport the cylinder.
- Make sure hand truck capacity is enough.
- Hand truck maintenance is done regularly.
- Never use a damaged hand truck for transporting cylinders.
- Only trained people can use, transport, and store cylinders.
- Is a regular pressure test done every five-year?
A regular safety inspection is very important to make sure cylinder safety. Make a schedule for this safety inspection. And do not forget to review the checklist regularly to make sure that it is still reliable.
