Gas Cylinder

Safety
Standard Operating
Procedure
JAV TECHNIC
JAV TECHNIC / Gas Cylinder Safety
Approved Maintenance Organization-145 /SOP#12

SOP #12
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Gas Cylinder Safety Rev: 02
Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

Approval Page

Issue1 Rev. “01.” of this document with the title:

Gas Cylinder Safety
Standard Operating Procedure
Date: 15th May 2014

Prepared by:
Raed Hijazeen

Checked By General Manager

Eng M. Abdallah

Quality Manager
Eng: Mohammed Al-Habahbeh

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 JAV TECHNIC Issue: 00
Gas Cylinder Safety Rev: 02
Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

Page
Subject
Number
1. Front Page.
2. Approval Page.
3. Table Of Contents.
4. Introduction.
4. Identification & Label.
5. Cylinder and Pack Identification Label.
5. Cylinder color.
5. Physical Damage.
5. Tipping and Falling.
6. How to Store Cylinders.
7. How to Maintain cylinders.
8. General Safety precautions.
9. Transportation of Cylinders.
10 Storage Safety Precautions.
11. Revision Record.

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Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

1. Introduction:

To use compressed gas cylinders safely, it is important that they are stored properly, handled correctly, used
with the correct equipment, and that the properties of the gases they contain are fully understood.
It is imperative to carry out a risk assessment on manual handling of gas cylinders which is a high risk
activity. Cylinders are extremely heavy due to the fact that they are made of metal and have to withstand
high pressure. They are also unstable when unsupported because of their long, thin shape.

2. Identification & Label:

The contents of any compressed gas cylinder must be clearly identified. Such identification should be
stenciled or stamped on the cylinder or a label.

No compressed gas cylinder should be accepted for use that does not legibly identify its contents by
name and shall be provided by JAV TECHNIC serviceable tag stamped by store receiving inspector. If
the labeling on a cylinder becomes unclear or an attached tag is defaced to the point the contents cannot be
identified, the cylinder should be marked "contents unknown" and quarantined, returned directly to the
manufacturer.

The label is the primary means of identification of the cylinder contents.

If the label is illegible or missing, DO NOT use the cylinder but return it to the gas company for a satisfactory
replacement.
Sgin Description Sgin Description

Non flammable, nontoxic Oxidizing

Flammable gas toxic gas

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Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

3. Cylinder and Pack Identification Label:

4. Cylinder color:

Cylinder color is the secondary means of identification of the nature of the cylinder contents and the nature
of the hazard associated with the gas contained in the cylinder.

5. Physical Damage:

Cylinders, with their high internal pressure [up to 3000 pounds per square inch gauge (psig)], are very
hazardous when exposed to damage from falling over or tipping, heat, electric circuits, motion, or vibration –
anything that can cause a weakness or crack in the cylinder wall or shell. Such damage can cause the cylinder
to rupture and explode sending sharp metal pieces, like shrapnel, blasting through the area.

6. Tipping and Falling:

The most common major hazard is having a cylinder tip over or fall on you or another nearby worker. Since
cylinders are heavy and awkward to handle, they require special care and equipment in handling and
securing so they don’t fall or tip over and cause injury.

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Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

7. How to Store Cylinders

1. Store cylinders upright and secure them with a chain, strap, or cable to a stationary building support
or to a proper cylinder cart to prevent them from tipping or falling.
2. Completely close the valves, and keep the valve protection devices, such as caps or guards, securely in
place.
3. Store cylinders in a dry, well-ventilated area at least 20 feet from combustible materials. Do not keep
cylinders in lockers. If they leak, a buildup of flammable or other types of gases can occur inside the
locker. Storage area should be level and well drained.
4. Mark the storage area with proper precautionary signs, such as flammable, oxidizer, or toxic.
5. Place them in a location where they will not be subject to mechanical or physical damage, heat, or
electrical circuits to prevent possible explosion or fire. Keep cylinders away from vehicle traffic.
6. Most accidents or injuries involving cylinders happen when moving or handling the gas cylinders
7. Use the right equipment, correct procedures, and sufficient number of persons to lift and move
cylinders to avoid personal injury and cylinder damage
8. Wear protective footwear, safety glasses, and heavy gloves.
9. Securely install the valve protection devices, such as caps or guards.
10. Don't drag or roll them – use a properly designed cart or hand truck.
11. Prevent damage – handle carefully – avoid dropping or banging them.
12. Do not lift by the protective cap/guard or use magnets or slings to lift or move them since valves may
be damaged or sheared off

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Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

8. How to Maintain cylinders :

1. Protect the markings on cylinders that identify the contents, and mark the full/empty status on
cylinders (do not use color to identify contents). Mark all empty cylinders.
2. Don't use the recessed top of the cylinder as a storage area for tools or material.
3. If cylinders are leaking, isolate them outdoors and away from sparks or heat.
4. Call your gas supplier to send qualified people to take care of the problem – don’t try any repairs
yourself. Tag leaking cylinders
5. Never mix gases in a cylinder or try to refill a cylinder – always contact approved gas supplier.
6. Cylinders should be placed with the valve accessible at all times. The main cylinder valve should be
closed as soon as it is no longer necessary that it be open (i.e., it should never be left open when the
equipment is unattended or not operating). This is necessary not only for safety when the cylinder is
under pressure, but also to prevent the corrosion and contamination resulting from diffusion of air
and moisture into the cylinder after it has been emptied.
7. Cylinders are equipped with either a hand wheel or stem valve. For cylinders equipped with a stem
valve, the valve spindle key should remain on the stem while the cylinder is in service. Only wrenches
or tools provided by the cylinder supplier should be used to open or close a valve. At no time should
pliers be used to open a cylinder valve. Some valves may require washers; this should be checked
before the regulator is fitted.

8. Oxygen cylinders, full or empty, shall not be stored in the same vicinity as flammable gases. The
proper storage for gas cylinders requires that a minimum of 20 feet be maintained between
flammable gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders or the storage areas be separated, at a minimum, by a
fire wall five feet high with a fire rating of 0.5 hours. Greasy and oily materials shall never be
stored around oxygen; nor should oil or grease be applied to fittings.

9. A cylinder should never be emptied to a pressure lower than 172 KPA (25 PSI/IN2) (the residual
contents may become contaminated if the valve is left open). When work involving a compressed gas
is completed, the cylinder must be turned off, and if possible, the lines bled.

When the cylinder needs to be removed or is empty, all valves shall

be closed, the system bled, and the regulator removed. The valve
cap shall be replaced, the cylinder clearly marked as "empty," and
returned to a storage area for pickup by the supplier.

Empty and full cylinders should be stored in separate areas.

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Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

9. General Safety precautions:

1. NEVER let oil or grease contact your cylinder or its valve and fittings; use sealants or lubricants when
connecting gas fittings or equipment
2. NEVER use cylinders as support structures.
3. NEVER roll them along the ground.
4. NEVER lubricate cylinder valves and fittings.
5. NEVER apply sealants (liquid or tape form) or lubricants to any Cylinder valves or connecting fittings.
6. NEVER cover damage to cylinders: If a cylinder has been involved in a fire, never paint over the
discolored or heat affected areas. Heat damaged cylinders must be drawn to the attention of the Gas
company so that detailed examination can be carried out to determine whether the cylinder(s)
concerned can be repaired or need to be condemned
7. NEVER mix gases in a cylinder: Users must never mix gases in a cylinder; this must only be
undertaken by an authorized competent gas specialist personnel with suitable equipment and
facilities under controlled conditions.
8. NEVER scrap a cylinder you do not own.
9. Install safety dust Cap in place whenever cylinder is not attached to system or Rig.
10. Smoking is not allowed where gas cylinders are stored or being used: Many burning accidents which
occur are triggered off by the lighting of a cigarette, therefore it is impossible to over-emphasize the
danger of smoking in oxygen-enriched atmospheres or where oxygen enrichment can occur.
Locations where gas cylinders are stored or being used are to be designated NO SMOKING areas.

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Gas Cylinder Safety Rev: 02
Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

10. Transportation of Cylinders:

The cylinders that contain compressed gases are primarily shipping containers and should not be subjected
to rough handling or abuse. Such misuse can seriously weaken the cylinder and render it unfit for further use
or transform it into a rocket having sufficient thrust to drive it through masonry walls.

1. To protect the valve during transportation, the cover cap should be screwed on hand tight and remain
on until the cylinder is in place and ready for use.
2. Cylinders should never be rolled or dragged.
3. When moving large cylinders, they should be strapped to a properly designed wheeled cart to ensure
stability.
4. Only one cylinder should be handled (moved) at a time.
5. Wear safety shoes or boots, safety glasses or goggles, and leather protective gloves when handling
cylinders.
6. When handling oxidizing or flammable gases, do not smoke or use a mobile phone.

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Gas Cylinder Safety Rev: 02
Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

11. Storage Safety Precautions :

1. Gas cylinders should not be stored for excessive periods of time. Only purchase sufficient quantities
of gas to cover short-term needs.
2. Gas cylinders containing flammable gas should not be stored in part of a building used for other
purposes.
3. Protect gas cylinders from external heat sources that may adversely affect their mechanical integrity.
4. Gas cylinders should be stored away from sources of ignition and other flammable materials.
5. Ensure the valve is kept shut on empty cylinders to prevent contaminants getting in.
6. Store gas cylinders securely when they are not in use. They should be properly restrained, unless
designed to be freestanding.
7. Gas cylinders must be clearly marked to show what they contain and the hazards associated with
their contents
8. Store cylinders where they are not vulnerable to hazards caused by impact, e.g. from vehicles such as
fork-lift trucks.
9. Don’t allow storage temperature to exceed 125°F (52°C). (For Nitrogen Cylinders). And aircraft
oxygen cylinders shall be stored under control environment.
10. Its store manager responsibility to assign store keeper in daily basis to check oxygen cylinders
storage room for proper storage standards listed in this SOP.
11. It is assigned Store Keeper responsibility to check in daily basis stored oxygen cylinders to ensure
the maximum pressure shown on the gauge are within limit defined by manufacturer manual.
12. Assigned Store Keeper shall inform Store inspector /Store Manager in case any violation.
13. Use a first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory system to prevent full containers from being stored for long
periods of time.
14. Within the storage area, oxidizing gases such as oxygen must be stored at least 3 meters away from
fuel gas cylinders .The use of an appropriately fire rated wall may provide the required separation
and segregation.

Know and understand the gases and associated

equipment you will be using. Refer to the
supplier’s MSDS to determine the proper PPE
and any other special requirements for the gas
being used.

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Standard Operating Procedure 25th Mar 2015

12. Plan for Emergencies:

Ensure free and clear access to cylinder storage areas all persons with a responsibility for storage or use of gas
cylinders must be familiar with the emergency procedures. Store layouts and emergency procedures need to be
structured accordingly and to cater for such possible incidents

13. SOP Revision Record:

Please insert the new amended or revised pages, remove the old pages in its entirety and
update this revision record. The old pages need to be destroyed.

Revision Insertion
Issue Revision Name Signature
Date Date

Raed.
01 00 31th Aug 2013 31th Aug 2013
Hijazeen
Raed.
01 01 15th May 2014 15th May 2014
Hijazeen

ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ

End

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