Safe handling of gas cylinders

Pocket Safety Guide No. 2

 Dear Gas User,

Messer produces and supplies a broad The descriptions given here assume that
portfolio of gases. two people are available for handling the gas
cylinder. Handling refers here to a manual
Gas cylinders are considered to be portable or simple mechanical method or activity by
pressure equipment; they pose certain risks means of which the individual gas cylinders
that must be considered, and they must be are moved or transported.
handled with care. Gas cylinders are heavy
and, depending on their size, difficult to We recommend that you keep this leaflet on
handle. The cylinder valves are inherently hand at all times.
robust. Nevertheless, it is important that
certain guidelines be followed, given that the With every product, you will receive a safety
gas cylinders are under high pressure and data sheet containing all the important safety
may contain dangerous gases. instructions for gases. Please familiarise
yourself with this information.
This safety leaflet is intended to inform
you about the basic things that need to be Your Messer Team
considered when handling pressurised gas
cylinders.

2
The gas cylinder Receipt of gas cylinders
A gas cylinder is a refillable pressurised gas Make sure that the cylinder label is present
container used for the transport and storage and easily legible.
of gases; it typically has a capacity of three to
60 litres held at a pressure of up to 300 bar. Make sure that the information on the cylin-
der label matches your order.
Main hazards
If the label is illegible or missing, do not use
Gas cylinders are heavy because they are this gas cylinder. Exchange the gas cylinder
made of metal and must withstand a high for a cylinder with a label that is in good
pressure. Furthermore, their long, narrow condition.
shape means that they are unstable when
standing and can easily tip over if they are As a new user, you must be issued with the
not secured. The gases that they contain relevant safety data sheet containing further
are under pressure and are characterised by safety instructions for the gas that you have
certain properties. This offers advantages, received.
but also gives rise to hazards.
Check the UN number (material number).
Gas cylinders are much heavier
The UN number is a four-digit number that
than they look. identifies hazardous substances in the frame-
work of international transport.

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 Inform yourself about:

• the properties of the gases and • the safe storage of gas cylinders
their associated hazards • the safe handling of gas cylinders
• the safety data sheet and associated equipment
• the safe transport, loading and • emergency measures
unloading of gas cylinders

General safety
Pay attention to possible risks in your Make sure you have a secure grip.
working environment that could make it
dangerous to handle the gas cylinder. Do not work with gas cylinders if you are
tired, physically impaired or under the influ-
Use appropriate personal protective equip- ence of medication, alcohol or drugs.
ment, such as gloves and safety shoes.

4
Basic information on the handling of gas cylinders
Store gas cylinders at normal ambient
temperatures. Excessive heat will cause
the internal pressure to rise and may ad-
versely affect the strength of the gas cylin-
der. In extreme cases, the gas cylinder could
rupture. Never direct a welding torch or any
other open flame at the gas cylinder.

Handle gas cylinders with care and avoid

any kind of damage that could result
from external influences. Do not throw
gas cylinders from vehicles or ramps when
loading or unloading. The gas cylinder or
the cylinder valve could be damaged, which
could then give rise to a gas leak. Take care
that no heavy objects are allowed to fall on and have a thorough examination of the
to the gas cylinders. Dents may reduce the gas cylinder carried out. Never conceal
strength of the vessel walls, which could or fail to mention damage to a gas cylinder.
lead to premature fatigue of the material and, This would endanger your own safety and
ultimately, cause the cylinder to rupture. the safety of others, and it could have legal
consequences.
Keep away from electrical welding equip-
ment, glowing metal and other sources Use gas cylinders only with equipment
of heat. Always maintain a safe distance that is clean and in sound condition.
between the gas cylinder and the welding
torch. Any arcing between the tool and the Gas cylinders are intended for use as gas
gas cylinder could result in localised over- discharge vessels. Never attempt to refill gas
heating of the wall of the gas cylinder. cylinders, regardless of the gas being used.

Keep the gas cylinder and the cylinder Return gas cylinders that are empty, or
valve clean. Do not allow the gas cylinder whose inspection date has expired, to
or the cylinder valve to come into contact Messer. Never scrap a cylinder that is not
with oil or grease. your property.

The labels that are permanently affixed to

Return empty gas cylinders to Messer
the gas cylinder contain important informa-
as quickly as possible.
tion about its manufacture, usage and certifi-
cation. Never change or damage this data.

Never attempt to repair or paint a gas cylin-

der. A damaged gas cylinder is not safe to
use. Sort out any damaged gas cylinders
and mark them clearly. Inform Messer

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 Handling of gas cylinders
Avoid as far as possible manual handling of Never roll a gas cylinder horizontally along
gas cylinders; it is recommended that you the ground. This could damage the cylinder
use mechanical aids (gas cylinder trolleys, valve, or the valve could open if the gas
forklifts, etc.) instead. cylinder collides with an obstacle. Further-
more, rough surfaces could damage the gas
Make sure that the pressurised gas cylinder cylinder labelling and paint.
is properly secured to the mechanical hand-
ling aid and that the cylinder valve is closed. Never roll two gas cylinders at the same
time.
Before transporting the pressurised gas
cylinder, disconnect all attached equipment Never try to catch a falling gas cylinder. Gas
(such as pressure regulators), and fit the cylinders are designed to withstand such an
supplied valve protection cap. impact. Instead, let the gas cylinder fall and
move out of harm‘s way.
Pay attention to the ambient conditions. For
example, if gas cylinders are wet, hot or
cold, this could adversely affect your ability
to handle them safely.

Gas cylinders are often rolled during

handling. This is done by balancing the stan-
ding cylinder at a slight angle and holding it
upright with one hand, while the other hand
moves the cylinder forwards by pushing on
the body of the cylinder.

• One hand on the valve protection cap

(or, in exceptional cases, on the cylinder
shoulder if the cylinder is rolled without
a valve protection cap).

• The second hand on the cylinder body.

• Nearly upright position.

• Move slowly and in a controlled manner.

DO NOT RUN. Do not roll gas cylinders
over steps or over uneven, yielding
surfaces.

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Manual lifting of gas cylinders
Before lifting a fallen cylinder, check that it
is possible to approach the cylinder without
putting yourself in danger. Make sure that
the gas cylinder and the cylinder valve are
not damaged or leaking. Make sure that
there are no tripping hazards in the vicinity
of the gas cylinder.

Put on your personal protective equipment

(shoes and gloves).

Grip the shoulder of the gas cylinder or the

valve protection cap with both hands. Never
lift a gas cylinder by the cylinder valve.

Keeping your back straight, lift the gas

cylinder, walking forwards as you do so.

Once the gas cylinder is standing upright,

secure the cylinder.

Individual gas cylinders and

cylinder pallets
Gas cylinders are usually transported and
stored on cylinder pallets specially designed
for this purpose. Whenever you are about to
take a gas cylinder off the pallet or place a
cylinder back on the pallet, pay attention to
the risks involved so as to avoid injury.

Pallet crossbars may fall if they are not

secured. Gas cylinders may slide backwards
when they are standing on the ramp.

Take care not to trap your fingers

between the cylinders.

Wear appropriate protective clothing.

7
You can request additional pocket safety
guides on our Internet page or obtain them
directly from your experts.

IMPORTANT
This leaflet contains general information only.
It is not a substitute for training and is not Messer Group GmbH
intended as such. Messer is not liable for the Messer-Platz 1
information contained in this leaflet. 65812 Bad Soden
Tel. +49 6196 7760 - 0
Stand: 05/2016

Fax +49 6196 7760 - 442

[email protected]
www.messergroup.com

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