Welding and Compressed Gas Safety
by Joe Wheeler

Jeff Kranitsky, a safety and loss control representative with Risk Services-Nevada, described proper handling and storage of compressed gas cylinders, and said that welding operations around volatile gases can turn dangerous in a matter of moments.

"There was a company that had a worker weld an aluminum gas tank for a custom boat. He had been using solvents to clean the tank and everything was fine. Until he enclosed the tank," Kranitsky said. "The whole tank blew up -- it blew the lens right out of his welding hood and burned his face. We figured out that he had just used the solvent on an enclosed tank and the vapors got him."

Compressed gas cylinders hold oxygen, acetylene and other gasses used in welding and cutting. Tanks are usually metal and one-half to three-quarters of an inch thick to withstand the tremendous pressure exerted by the gas. This makes the chances of an tank exploding less likely than the tank turning into a torpedo that takes out anything or anyone in it’s path. Yet keeping such dangerous items safe isn’t that difficult, as long as safety rules are adhered to.

Jeff Kranitsky

When moving or storing cylinders, regulations wisely put an emphasis on protecting the valve. Valve caps are necessary whenever moving a cylinder unless they are firmly secured on a special cart intended for that purpose. There are regs in place forbidding cylinders from being intentionally struck, dropped or moved in a horizontal position. Valve protection caps are mandatory except when in use. Bars cannot be used to pry cylinders apart.

Storing compressed gas cylinders requires that oxygen cylinders must be kept clear of gas or oil or fuel gases such as acetylene. They must be at least 20 feet apart or separated by a non-combustible barrier at least five feet high.

From The Construction Zone

Back to Main Page

Call (702) 615-7644