Hazards compressed gases

Table 9.1 Compressed gases hazards and construction materials for services...

OSH Answers Compressed Gases-Hazards, Canadian Centre for Occupational Health Safety (CCOHS), Retrieved on March 25, 2006, from http //www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ chemicals/compressed/compress.html. 2005. 

Employers are responsible for the safe use of compressed gas cylinders and liquid containers and their contents. Compressed gas hazards include oxygen displacement, explosion, and toxic effects. There is also the hazard of a ruptured cylinder. Employers must evaluate the compressed gas-hazards and have an emergency response plan that defines procedures and responsibilities to address emergencies. 

Compressed gas hazards.Materials Handling Storage — Handling Compressed Gas Cylinders... 

Process hazards Hazards of utilities Hazards of water Hazards of steam Hazards of ice Hazards of compressed gas Hazards of air Hazards of external events Hazards of equipment and instruments Hazards of piping, valves, and hoses... 

Compressed gas has caused many accidents. Two types of compressed gas hazard are discussed below the dangers associated with compressed gas cylinders and the hazards to do with using compressed gas for pigging. 

Note 4 Warning—Compressed Gas, Hazardous Pressure. See Annex A 1.2. 

Fire Hazards - Flash Point Not pertinent (flammable liquefied compressed gas) Flammable limits in Air (%) 3-11 Fire Extinguishing Agents Let fire bum shut off gas supply cool adjacent exposures Fire Extinguishmg Agents Not To Be Used Not pertinent Special Hazards of Combustion Products Not pertinent Behavior in Fire Containers may explode Ignition Temperature (deg. F) 850 Electrical Hazard Data not available Burning Rate No data. 

Compressed gases, therefore, present a unique hazard from their potential physical and chemical dangers. Unless cylinders are secured they may topple over, cause injury to operators, become damaged themselves and cause contents to leak. If the regulator shears off, the cylinder may rocket like a projectile or torpedo dangerously around the workplace. Other physical hazards stem from the high pressure of a cylinder s contents, e.g. accidental application of a compressed gas/air hose or jet onto an open cut or wound, whereby the gas can enter the tissue or bloodstream, is particularly dangerous. 

Colorless gas with an ammonia or fish like odor detectable at 0.53 ppm. Shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. Various salts have been reported. This material is hazardous through inhalation and produces local skin/eye impacts. 

Pneumatic testing involves the hazard of released energy stored in compressed gas. Particular care must therefore be taken to minimize the chance of brittle failure during a pneumatic leak test. Test temperature is important in this regard and must be considered when the designer chooses the material of construction. See para. IP-10.6.2(b)(3) and Nonmandatory Appendix B. 

Are there any hazardous substances stored or handled YES Oxygen is an oxidizing compressed gas... 

Ignitable Waste A liquid with a flash point less than 60°C (140°F), a waste which is an oxidizer, or ignitable compressed gas or non-liquid which is liable to cause fires through friction, absorption of moisture, spontaneous chemical changes or when ignited bums so vigorously and persistently as to create a hazard. 

Some bromine compounds are covered specifically under Hazardous Materials Regulations. Other compounds may usually be shipped under the classification of chemicals, not otherwise indexed by name, without special requirements unless from their nature they would fall under a category such as combustible liquid, compressed gas, corrosive liquid (or solid), disinfectant liquid (or solid), dmg, dye intermediate (liquid), fire extinguisher, flammable gas (liquid or solid), insecticide, medicine, oxidizer or oxidizing material, poisonous liquid (gas or solid), solvent, or tear gas. Specific provisions apply to each of these categories and appropriate packaging and labeling are required. 

Compressed gas cylinders. Under certain circumstances, cylinders of compressed gas may constitute major explosion and fire hazards and, despite their apparent robust construction, they should always be handled with care.7... 

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