Compressed gas
Oxygen and acetylene tanks left overnight by a contractor. What controls should be in place ? Clearly shoild he roped or taped off. But Can they be unsecured like this ? Can the torches be left connected ? I’m in unfamiliar territory but this seems all sorts of wrong.
Comments (22)
There are lots of issues here.
(1) Oxygen (an oxidizer) and fuel-gas cylinders (e.g., acetylene) must be separated either by a distance of 20 feet or by a 5 ft. tall, non-combustible barrier that has a fire-resistance rating of at least 30 minutes.
(2) Compressed gas cylinders must be secured from falling over.
(3) Regulators (including torches) must be removed from cylinders when they are not "in use" and are in "storage." OSHA interprets this as whether it's being used in a 24-hour period. If it's not going to be used in a 24-hour period, it's considered in "storage," and the regulators must be removed.
(4) Make sure all cylinders have the appropriate DOT labels on them to mark their contents.
(5) If possible, empty and full cylinders should be stored separately.
Drew is right on again.
It astounds me sometimes dealing with contractors how they disregard OSHA, DOT, NEC, NFPA, and DNR Standards when we hire them to have that expertise (usually because our own workers do not have that expertise).
If I was a Project Manager, Plant Manager, or anyone of similar responsibility I would really question the expertise and experience a contractor had by allowing this on my site. I would wonder, "If they cannot follow basic safety rules, what other short cuts do they do?"
I'm confused...which is normal for me...but are we sure that those are oxygen and acetylene?