6
SECTION 1:
GAS EQUIPMENT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS AND WARNINGS
The information shown under this note must be followed carefully to avoid injuring the operator or anyone in the
operating area.
When an accident does occur with gas equipment, it
’s usually due to the operator having become careless through
over-familiarity. Remember, the safest of equipment, if wrongly handled, can cease to be safe. For safe welding
and cutting check and re-check the points in this article. Each point is there for a purpose.
1.01 Personal Safety
Be neat and clean about your work. Maintain your equipment in good condition. Wear goggles with the correct shade
filter when using gas equipment. Goggles protect your eyes against sparks and injurious rays. It is essential that the
goggles and filters are of a type intended for cutting work. Quite apart from safety, they help you see your work better.
Wear suitable gloves, aprons, shoes and protective clothing. Watch for sparks in sleeves, cuffs and open pockets. Never
use oxygen to dust clothes or work. Use a flint lighter or pilot light to light blowpipe. Never use matches. Keep flame,
sparks or metal away from cylinders and tubing. When working with lead, lead bearing materials, steel coated with lead
paints, cadmium-coated materials or any objects containing metals giving off toxic fumes, always use a suitable
respirator.
1.02 Cylinders
–
General
Industrial gas cylinders are made to rigid specifications and are inspected each time they are refilled by your supplier.
They are safe
–
if properly handled. All Government and insurance regulations relating to the storage of oxygen,
acetylene and LPG cylinders should be closely observed. Keep all cylinders, empty or full, away from radiators, furnaces
and other sources of heat. Also avoid contact with electrical circuits.
Keep oil and grease away from cylinders.
Cylinders standing in the open should be screened against direct rays of the sun. Protect cylinders valves from bumps
and falling objects. Keep the valves clean, free from oil, grease and all foreign materials. Close cylinder valves when not
in use, when empty, or when moving cylinders. Always remove regulators when moving cylinders. Be sure the cylinder
valve is tightly closed before removing regulators. Never allow anyone to strike an arc or tap an electrode against any
cylinder. Never try to fill a cylinder or mix gases in a cylinder. Never tamper with or alter cylinder numbers or markings.
Never use cylinders as supports or rollers. When transporting cylinders using a crane, do not use slings- use a cylinder
cradle. Never draw gas from cylinders except through properly attached pressure regulators or equipment designed for
the purpose. If damaged, send the regulator to the supplier or appointed agent for repairs. If unable to make a gas-tight
seal between the cylinder valve and a regulator spigot, first check whether the spigot nut is tight. If so check the
regulator spigot. If the cylinder valve is damaged notify the gas supplier. Never insert washers of lead or other material
between the regulator and the cylinder valve. Never use oil or grease on these connections. Use only standard cylinder
keys to open cylinder valves, never extend the length of these keys under any circumstances. If valves cannot be opened
by hand, do not use a hammer or wrench; notify the supplier. Open all cylinder valves slowly. Leave cylinder key in
position when fuel gas cylinder valves are open.
