Compressed Gases
Compressed gases are used for many different purposes including:
- Chemical processes
- Laboratory uses
- Soldering, welding and flame cutting
- Breathing, scuba diving
- Medical uses
- Dispensing beverages
- Fuel for vehicles
- Extinguishing fires heating
- Cooking
- Heating
- Water treatment
The main hazards are:
- Impact from the blast of a gas cylinder explosion
- Rapid release of gas from a cylinder or system
- Impact from parts of gas cylinders or valves following failure
- Contact with, or inhalation of gas or fluid released from a cylinder
- Fire resulting from the escape of flammable gases or liquids
- Impact from falling cylinders
- Manual handling injuries
The main causes of accidents are:
- Inadequate training and supervision
- Poor installation
- Poor examination and maintenance
- Faulty equipment
- Poor design
- Poor handling
- Poor storage
- Inadequately ventilated work environment
- Incorrect filling procedures
- Using incorrect gas / wrong cylinder
- Hidden damage
- Date expired cylinders
The two main sets of regulations covering gas cylinders are:
- The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations, 2004.
- The Pressure Equipment Regulations, 1999.
The use of compressed gases and in particular compressed gas cylinders must be carefully managed to control all the risks, both physical and chemical, from the time of delivery through transport and use to the time of collection or disposal (see University Guidance for the Use of Compressed Gases).