General Safety Considerations for Compressed Gases

Compressed gases are normally stored in containers at high pressures and must always be handled with care. While compressed gas containers are designed to meet rigid government specifications and are safe for their intended use, they can be dangerous if misused or abused. Therefore, care should be taken to ensure that compressed gas containers are stored, handled, and used in accordance with safe practices. 

Caution Compressed gases must never be transferred from one container to another except by the gas manufacturer or distributor. Compressed gas containers must not contain gases capable of combining chemically with each other or with the container material so as to endanger its integrity. 

Caution Color should never be used as the sole means for identifying the contents of a compressed gas container. 

Compressed gas containers must be handled with care and should be stored and secured in an upright position in a safe place where they will not be knocked over. Storage rooms should be well ventilated, and containers must not be subjected to ambient temperatures above 125°F (51.7 C). Container storage areas at user facilities must be prominently posted with the names of the 

Oxygen containers in storage must be separated from flammable gas containers or combustible materials (especially oil or grease) by a minimum distance of 20 ft (6.1 m), or by a noncombustible barrier at least 5 ft (1.5 m) high having a fire resistance rating of at least one-half hour. 

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General safety considerations for compressed gases The Compressed Gas Association advises or cautions about a number of practices (in addition to those already pointed out above) that should be followed or avoided when handling compressed gas cylinders. These advisories are listed in the following ... 

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