SAFE HANDLING, USE AND STORAGE OF COMPRESSED GASES

1.0 DISTRIBUTION
All Departments.
2.0 APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
INA-03-001 Environment, Health and Safety Policy
INA-03-003 General Plant Health and Safety
3.0 APPLICABLE FORMS
Nil
4.0 APPLICABILITY
This procedure applicable to Xxx India Pvt Ltd, Xxx Plant only
5.0 PURPOSE
To provide guidelines for safe handling, usage and storage of compressed gases.
6.0 RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENTS
QA, Production, and Engineering
7.0 RESPONSIBILITY
EHS Coordinator
8.0 PROCEDURE
8.1 General
8.1.1 Only experienced and properly trained persons are to handle compressed gases.
8.1.2 Do not remove or deface labels provided by the supplier for the identification of the cylinder contents.
8.1.3 Ascertain the identity of the gas (by carefully seeing the tag, mark or label on it) before using it. Know and understand the properties and hazards associated with each gas before using it. The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the gases being used must be available in the vicinity and a copy of the MSDS must be submitted to Environment, Health, and Safety section.
8.1.4 All compressed gases cylinders are required to have a safety cap, at the time they are received. Any cylinder that does not have a safety cap should be returned to vendor.
8.2 Handling and use
8.2.1 Wear stout gloves.
8.2.2 Use a cylinder trolley or other suitable device for transporting cylinders, even for a short distance. The cylinder will have to be properly secured to the trolley during transportation.
8.2.3 Leave valve protection caps/guards in place until the cylinder is ready for use.
8.2.4 Wear suitable eye protection. The choice is between safety glasses/ goggles for chemicals fumes, vapors, dust etc. and full-face shield. The PPE will depend on the pressure, the nature of the gas / chemical and work conditions to which the concerned person is exposed.
8.2.5 Do not use cylinders as rollers or supports, or for any other purpose other than to contain the gas as supplied.
8.2.6 Keep cylinder valve outlets clean and free from contaminants, particularly oil and water.
8.2.7 Never attempt to repair or modify cylinder valves or safety relief devices. Damaged valves should be reported immediately to the suppliers.
8.2.8 Close the cylinder valve whenever gas is not required, even if cylinder is still connected to equipment.
8.2.9 Replace outlet caps or plug and cylinder caps, as soon as cylinder is disconnected from equipment.
8.2 Storage
8.2.1 Store cylinder in location free from fire risk and away from sources of heat and ignition. They should be restrained vertically using a chain.
8.2.2 The cylinder storage compound should be kept clear and access should be restricted to authorized personnel only. The compound should be clearly marked as 'cylinder store’ and appropriate hazard warning sign must be displayed (e.g. flammable, toxic, radioactive, etc.).
8.2.3 Store full and empty cylinders separately and arrange full cylinders so that the oldest stock is used first.
8.2.4 The cylinder should also be kept to a minimum number.
8.2.5 Oxidizers shall be stored away from flammable.
8.2.6 Smoking, use of flames, and hot works, in the vicinity of cylinder storage area should be prohibited.
8.2.7 Every container, vessel, tank, cylinder or store room used for storing highly flammable liquid / compressed gas shall be clearly marked “Danger Flamable Liquid” or “Danger Flamable Gas”
8.2.8 All electrical apparatus shall either be excluded from the area of risk or they shall be of such construction so installed, maintained as to prevent danger of being the source of ignition.
8.2.9 Effective measures shall be taken to prevent accumulation of static charges to dangerous extent. High or low voltage electrical wirings should be avoided up to the maximum extent near such area. Flameproof lights should be used in the area having flammable gas or liquid.
8.2.10 No person is allowed to put on iron nailed shoes or do chipping / hammering in the vicinity having flammable liquid or gas without isolation of the particular equipment or line (permit to work only through GWP & HWP), they have the potential to be the source of static charge.
8.2.11 Filled and empty cylinders are tagged as FILLED and EMPTY, along with their respective names to know their status.
8.2.12 Marking of safe working pressure and date of last examination on every pressure vessel in the plant
9.0 REFERENCES
9.1 The Factory Act 1948: Section 31, Clause 2: Rule 61