Specifications
5
Cylinder Safety
1
Cylinder valve hand-wheel
2
Back-plug
3
Bursting disc
Backview of typical cylinder valve
1
2
3
Operator wearing personal
protective equipment (PPE)
in safe position
Ten Points about Cylinder Safety
1
Read labels and Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) before use.
2
Store upright and use in well ventilated,
secure areas away from pedestrian or vehicle
thoroughfare.
3
Guard cylinders against being knocked
violently or being allowed to fall.
4
Wear safety shoes, glasses and gloves when
handling and connecting cylinders.
5
Always move cylinders securely with an
appropriate trolley. Take care not to turn the
valve on when moving a cylinder.
6
Keepinacool,wellventilatedarea,away
from heat sources, sources of ignition and
combustible materials, especially flammable
gases.
7
Keepfullandemptycylindersseparate.
8
Keepammonia-basedleakdetection
solutions, oil and grease away from cylinders
and valves.
9
Never use force when opening or closing
valves.
10
Don’t repaint or disguise markings and
damage. If damaged, return cylinders to BOC
immediately.
Cylinder Valve Safety
When working with cylinders or operating
cylinder valves, ensure that you wear
appropriate protective clothing – gloves, boots
and safety glasses.
When moving cylinders, ensure that the valve is
not accidentally opened in transit.
Before operating a cylinder valve:
•Ensurethatthesystemyouareconnecting
the cylinder into is suitable for the gas and
pressure involved.
•Ensurethatanyaccessories(suchashoses
attached to the cylinder valve, or the system
being connected to) are securely connected.
A hose, for example, can potentially flail
around dangerously if it is accidentally
pressurised when not restrained at both ends.
•Standtothesideofthecylindersothat
neither you nor anyone else is in line with the
back of the cylinder valve. This is in case a
back-plug is loose or a bursting disc vents. The
correct stance is shown in the diagram above.
When operating the cylinder valve:
•Openitbyhandbyturningthevalvehand-wheel
anti-clockwise. Use only reasonable force.
•Ensurethatnogasisleakingfromthecylinder
valve connection or the system to which the
cylinder is connected. DO NOT use ammonia-
based leak detection fluid as this can damage