OSHA Gas Cylinder Storage Requirements for Welders

Gas cylinders present obvious dangers for welders, but fortunately, proper equipment — and strict adherence to guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) — can mitigate the risks. Whether you're working with gas cylinders for the first time or you're simply looking to ensure full compliance in your facility, this overview should help you understand OSHA gas cylinder storage requirements.

The good news is that proper gas cylinder storage isn't especially complicated, and if you've got decent storage equipment, you're probably compliant. Some basic considerations:

OSHA Gas Cylinder Storage Requirements: 5 Key Rules

One of the major OSHA standards that applies to compressed gasses (including welding gases like acetylene cylinders, fuel gas cylinders, or even oxygen home care containers) is 1910.101, Compressed Gases (General Requirements).

This standard frequently cites Compressed Gas Association publications. You can access these Compressed Gas Association pamphlets here, although be aware that they're locked behind paywalls for non-members.

At any rate, you don't need access to the Compressed Gas Association archives to prevent physical damage to cylinders — and to ensure safe storage for all welding gases in cylinders. Here are some safety tips to start with, courtesy of OSHA:

1. Maintain vertical positioning.

Per OSHA, “compressed gas cylinders shall be secured in an upright position at all times except, if necessary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being hoisted or carried.” The reasoning is fairly obvious: Portable tanks of welding gases contain highly compressed contents — pressure ratings of upwards of 2,000 pounds per square inch are common — and if a cylinder is punctured or its cylinder valve is accidentally knocked off, it essentially becomes a rocket (especially if it's stored in a horizontal position). Keeping cylinders secured in a vertical position limits the risk.

2. Properly secure every cylinder.

OSHA regulations note that gas cylinders in storage shall be “properly secured.” Generally, that means using a strap, chain, or bar to keep gas cylinders in place. Never leave cylinders loose.

When transporting gas cylinders, they must remain secured, and should not be hoisted with magnets or choker slings, per 1926.350(a)(2).

In the event of an accident, a storage enclosure (for instance, the BHS Cylinder Storehouse or Cylinder Storage Cage) can keep gas containers contained, preventing injuries. BHS storage containers are made with heavy-duty welded steel, finished with a powdered protective coating, and can be padlocked.

It's also important to secure cylinder valves with proper valve protection caps. Be sure to replace any cylinder caps that are missing before placing cylinders into storage.

3. Choose a responsible location.

Place cylinders where they cannot become part of an electrical circuit. OSHA regulations state that “electrodes shall not be struck against a cylinder to strike an arc,” which is another reason why a dedicated storage enclosure is incredibly important. All cylinders, lines, and equipments should be bonded and grounded, and they should be in a well-ventilated, dry, well-protected location where they can't be damaged by falling or passing objects.

Flammable gas cylinders should be placed at least 20 feet from any sources of heat, ignition sources, flammable liquids, or oxygen cylinders (as well as other oxidizer cylinders). When this is impractical, a noncombustible barrier should be kept in place at all times. Damaged or defective cylinders cannot be used, per 1926.350(c)(3), and should be immediately removed from the work area. Gas cylinders should be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, away from combustible materials.

4. Ensure proper security.

Welding gas cylinders should only be accessed by properly trained personnel. Per OSHA requirements, all workers should undergo appropriate training before using or mixing gases in a cylinder. While OSHA doesn't explicitly require cylinders to be in locked storage cages, a padlock protecting storage spaces can help to prevent unauthorized access. A special truck or special carrier designed for gas cylinders should include protective devices like lockable compartments. These may not be official OSHA safety requirements, but they can improve personal safety by limiting access to employees who know the basic safety rules.

5. Take common-sense precautions.

As every manager knows, workers tend to use equipment as makeshift tables; needless to say, stacking items on top of gas cylinders creates a totally unnecessary risk. Cylinders shouldn't be used as rollers or supports, regardless of whether they're full or empty.

Cylinders should be properly labeled, and empty cylinders should be labeled differently than full cylinders. Cylinder valves should be closed while the gases are being transported, and workers should take proper precautions to keep cylinders secured during transport (except when hoisting a single cylinder a short distance). Provide a suitable cylinder truck, complete with safety devices like secure compartments, to reduce the risk of improper transport. The BHS Cylinder Transporter and Cylinder Transport Cage can make this process much simpler.

Please note that this blog isn't intended as a complete set of guidelines for maintaining OSHA compliance when using gas cylinders; OSHA's full guidelines can be found here, and if you operate a facility that uses cylinders, you should review each regulation carefully. With that said, proper gas cylinder storage equipment — combined with some common-sense management policies — should keep most facilities fully compliant.

References:

“29 CFR 1926.350 - Gas welding and cutting.” OSHA. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2018.

“Compressed Gas Cylinders.” UIOWA. The University of Iowa, Environmental Health & Safety, n.d. Web. 20 Dec. 2018.