AIR-233-doc 11/7/03 9:45 AM Page 1
SafetySafety BookletBooklet
You’ll find it with us.
Airgas, Inc. 259 North Radnor-Chester Road Suite 100 Radnor, PA 19087-5283 (610) 687-5253 FAX: (610) 687-1052 For the Safe Handling 800-255-2165 www.airgas.com and Transportation of Compressed Gases © 2003 Airgas, Inc. MCM-0XX 11/03 AIR-233-doc 11/7/03 9:45 AM Page 3
TThings you should know before handling or HHandling Compressed Gases transporting compressed gas cylinders. Compressed gases are capable of creating environ- Did you know that all compressed gases are labeled ments that are explosive, reactive, flammable, hazardous materials simply because they’re under oxidizing, oxygen deficient, extremely cold, corrosive pressure? Many gases are also considered hazardous or otherwise extremely hazardous to health, depend- materials because of the properties of the gas con- ing upon the product contained in the cylinder. tained in the cylinder. Since all compressed gases are classified as a hazardous material, specific training on Most compressed gas cylinders are very heavy, and federal and state regulations covering the safe han- remain so whether they are empty or full, as their dling and transportation of compressed gases should contents are in gaseous form and weigh very little. be provided to you by your manager or employer Cylinders containing product in liquid form are before you ever touch a compressed gas cylinder. You extremely heavy when full, but less so when empty. should also receive training by your manager or Acetylene cylinders are designed with a heavy filler employer concerning the nature and properties of any material in addition to the gas product itself. The specific gas you are handling, or may be required to safest way to move any cylinder is with a cylinder cart. handle. Medical gases, or gases that are intended for human consumption, must be handled by personnel with spe- Note: Reading the information in this pamphlet is not a cific training on such gases. For example, gases such substitute for your training, nor is it to be used as a as Breathing Air are marked to indicate they are replacement reference for state and federal laws and specifically for breathing, however, most gases are not regulations. It simply presents brief highlights of some intended for human consumption in any form. of the more common compressed gas handling proce- dures that are industry standards. A few facts about oxygen: Did you know that Oxygen is NOT “Air”, and Air is FREE INFORMATION on specific compressed gases not “Oxygen”? Air is comprised of only 21% Oxygen. are contained in publications called Material Safety Data Sheets, or the "MSDS." These are available Normal Oxygen concentration in the Air we breathe from your point of product purchase, or can be is about 21%. downloaded from the Airgas Website at www.air- gas.com. Please take advantage of Airgas’ MSDS service and become informed of the potential dan- gers associated with each compressed gas you purchase from us.