Inert Gas Risks - Oxygen Deficiency

Oxygen deficiency can arise when using gases such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide and argon,
unless good practice is observed.

This page specifies the dangers and outlines simple precautions to be taken so that every user can
employ these gases with confidence and without danger.

Composition of air

The approximate volumetric composition of air is:

Gas Abbreviation %
Oxygen 02 21%
Nitrogen N2 78%
Argon Ar 1%

atmospheric gases are non-toxic but alterations in their concentrations - especially that of
oxygen - have an effect upon life and combustion processes
if good practice is not observed accidents may happen as changes in concentration cannot
be easily detected by the human senses
oxygen is not flammable but it does support combustion

nitrogen and argon inhibit combustion

when these gases are in the liquid state it is necessary to bear in mind the very low
temperatures involved (below -180C). They can rapidly cause cold burns and make
certain materials sufficiently brittle to lead to structural failure

Hazards from oxygen deficiency

Oxygen is essential to life and it is therefore vital that adequate oxygen is present in any
atmosphere being breathed.

While a healthy person may survive a short exposure to air with an oxygen content as low as
about 16%, no one should ever be asked to endanger his or her life by breathing such an
atmosphere.

Oxygen deficiency cannot readily be detected by human senses. Victims are usually unaware of
the danger they are in and may even have a feeling of wellbeing.

Symptoms
Human beings vary considerably in their reactions to oxygen deficiency and it is therefore not
possible to lay down hard and fast rules.

A general indication of what is likely to happen is given in the table below. It should be
appreciated that some individuals may react very differently and the reaction may vary due to the
presence of other gases, especially carbon dioxide.

Oxygen content (vol

Effects and symptoms (at atmospheric pressure)
%)
Diminution of physical and intellectual performance without the person
11-16
being aware of this
8-11 Possibility of fainting without prior warning
Fainting within a few minutes, resuscitation possible if carried out
6-8
immediately
0-6 Fainting almost immediate

Below 11% oxygen there is a risk of death due to asphyxia unless the person is resuscitated
immediately. In general, oxygen deficiency can lead to:

loss of mental alertness

distortion of judgement

brain damage (after a relatively short time)

Causes and avoidance of oxygen deficiency

Oxygen deficiency is best guarded against by careful attention to the following points:

Leakage of gases other than oxygen

this leads automatically to oxygen deficiency. Newly assembled equipment which uses
inert or any other gas should be thoroughly leak-checked by a timed gas pressure drop
test. This must be supplemented by testing with an approved leak-test fluid which is
compatible with the equipment for which it is being used. Alternatively a solution of 1%
Teepol in demineralised water may be used
all equipment, for instance piping and hose connections, should be properly fitted. Hoses
and other equipment should be kept leak-tight and be protected from damage
all maintenance and repair work should be carried out by experienced and fully skilled
personnel
when the work period is over, the cylinder valve or piped supply stop valve must be
turned off. This is in order to avoid possible leakage in the time between the end of one
working period and the beginning of the next
 the valves on welding equipment should not be relied upon for turning off the gas supply

gas cylinders in use should be protected against being knocked or dropped

Spillage of liquid gases

A small amount of liquid can lead to the formation of a large amount of gas.

Consequently, liquid spillage can rapidly cause oxygen deficiency in confined spaces, pits, etc.

Tanks and equipment for the storage and handling of liquid gases should be inspected carefully
and maintained in accordance with the relevant regulations or recommendations.

Vent outlets

Vented gases are often deficient in oxygen and work should not be carried out in such
atmospheres.

Purging and cryogenic processes

Oxygen deficiency will arise when preparing plant items (such as vessels) for repair by purging
with nitrogen or other inert gases.

Processes such as food cooling, ground freezing, cryogenic surgery and blood plasma
preservation lead automatically to oxygen-deficient atmospheres.

People should not enter such areas, even if the atmosphere is only slightly deficient in oxygen,
unless adequate breathing equipment is used.

Welding and heating processes

All gas welding and heating processes involve taking oxygen from the air and can lead to a
deficiency unless the workspace is sufficiently ventilated.

Removal of argon, carbon dioxide and cold gas

Removal of argon, carbon dioxide and cold gas from large vessels and deep pits can be difficult
due to the relatively high density of the gas compared with air.

Air introduced into the bottom of such spaces often floats up through the dense gas without
displacing it. This presents a special problem in that purging is liable to take much longer than
expected.

Detection of oxygen enrichment or deficiency

Measuring instruments

These indicate increases and decreases in the oxygen concentration of the ambient atmosphere
and have a measuring range from 0 to 40% by volume of oxygen.

Various measuring techniques are available, giving visible and/or audible warnings and can
provide continuous or discontinuous measurement. BOC can advise on the suitability of
instrument to be used.

Accuracy

The accuracy of the measuring method should be such that the real oxygen value is between
19.5% and 22.5%.

Using measuring instruments

The manufacturer's operating and maintenance instructions must always be carefully followed.

In confined work environments the measuring instrument should be located as near as possible to
the worker.

It is recommended that the worker has a portable measuring instrument attached to his working
clothes which gives an audible and visual alarm if the oxygen content of the atmosphere is likely
to deviate more than 2% from that of normal air.

Other gases

The safety of a space does not depend on oxygen content alone but can be affected by other
gases such as fuel gases. These should be analysed as necessary.

Preventative measures

General considerations

Apparatus used for the manufacture, distribution and utilisation of inert gases must be installed
and identified in accordance with the recommendations of the industrial gas industry, and must
comply with the applicable regulations.

Any leak must be dealt with by adequately trained staff using specific equipment.

Information should be available to all personnel on the actions to be taken by staff and first
aiders in the event of an incident.

Operating personnel must at all times obey works rules and regulations and, where called for,
protective equipment must be worn.
Breathing equipment

Application

Appropriate breathing equipment is essential in situations where oxygen deficiency can arise and
on no account should rescue be attempted without proper equipment and adequate training in its
use.

Breathing equipment is not required for oxygen-rich situations.

Types of equipment

Absorbent types of respirator give no assistance whatsoever in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.

Recommended types of breathing equipment are:

self-contained breathing apparatus using air cylinders. When wearing this apparatus, it
may be difficult to enter manholes
fresh air masks where the respirator is connected via a tube of adequate length and
diameter to a clean compressed air supply or to a region where the atmosphere is of
satisfactory composition to support life

Double manning

Where personnel have to work in confined spaces which may become subject to atmospheric
oxygen enrichment or deficiency, a watcher must be stationed immediately outside the confined
space entrance.

The watcher should hold the rope of a rescue harness attached to the person working in the
confined space and should, if necessary, have a winch available.

Analysis

Before people enter a space which may be subject to oxygen enrichment or deficiency the
atmosphere should be analysed for oxygen. Free entry is permissible only if the oxygen
concentration is between 20 and 22%.

If there is any possibility of a change in concentration, anyone entering such a space must be
issued with a personal continuous oxygen-measuring device giving an audible alarm when the
oxygen concentration in the atmosphere varies outside the safe limits.
Information and training

All people who work in spaces where oxygen deficiency or enrichment can occur should be
given adequate instructions as to the risks involved, special attention being drawn to the nature of
the risks, the rapidity of their effects and that the operator may be unaware of the potential
danger he is exposed to.

Practical risk-reduction training should be given.

Blanking and ventilation

any vessel which is connected to a gas source other than air containing 21% oxygen must
be disconnected from such a source by the removal of a section of pipe, by the use of a
spectacle plate or by inserting blanking spades
the space should be thoroughly ventilated so as to maintain a normal atmosphere before
and during entry
reliance on the closure of valves to prevent oxygen enrichment or deficiency is not
sufficient
permission to enter such a space may be given only after the issue of a permit certificate
signed by the responsible person

Oxygen deficiency first aid

remove the patient to the open air without delay and keep him warm
administer oxygen from an automatic resuscitator or supply artificial respiration by an
approved method
summon medical assistance and continue treatment until the patient revives or
professional medical assistance is available
ensure that all rescue personnel have adequate supplies of oxygen or air from self-
contained breathing apparatus or a fresh air line

Entry into confined spaces

Guidance is given in the HSE Approved Code of Practice called 'Safe work in confined spaces'
available from HSE Books. It also contains the Confined Space Regulations 1997.

Oxygen Gas Risks - Oxygen Enrichment

Oxygen enrichment can arise when using oxygen unless good practice is observed.

This information specifies the dangers and the simple precautions to be taken to ensure that
every user employs oxygen with confidence and without danger.
Composition and behaviour of air

The approximate volumetric composition of air is:

Gas Abbreviation %
Oxygen O2 21%
Nitrogen N2 78%
Argon Ar 1%

atmospheric gases are non-toxic but alterations in their concentrations - especially that of
oxygen - have an effect upon life and combustion processes
if good practice is not observed accidents may happen as changes in concentration cannot
be easily detected by the human senses
oxygen is not flammable but it does support combustion

nitrogen and argon inhibit combustion

when these gases are in the liquid state it is necessary to bear in mind the very low
temperatures involved (below -180C). They can rapidly cause cold burns and make
certain materials sufficiently brittle to lead to structural failure

Fire hazards from oxygen enrichment

Oxygen reacts with most elements. The initiation, speed, vigour and extent of these reactions
depend in particular upon:

concentration, temperature and pressure of the reactants

ignition energy

mode of ignition

Combustibility of materials

Oxygen enrichment of the atmosphere, even by a few percent, considerably increases the risk of
fire.

Sparks which would normally be regarded as harmless can cause fires. Materials which do not
burn in air, including fireproofing materials, may burn vigorously or even spontaneously in
oxygen-enriched air.

Oil and grease

Oil and grease are particularly hazardous in the presence of oxygen as they can ignite
spontaneously and burn with explosive violence.

They should never be used to lubricate oxygen or enriched-air equipment. Special lubricants
which are compatible with oxygen must be used under certain conditions.

Smoking

In oxygen-enriched atmospheres, or where oxygen enrichment can occur, smoking must be

strictly forbidden.

Causes and avoidance of oxygen enrichment

Oxygen enrichment of the atmosphere is best guarded against by careful attention to the
following points:

Leakage

newly assembled equipment for oxygen service should be thoroughly leak-checked by a

timed gas pressure drop test. This must be supplemented by testing with an approved
leak test fluid which is compatible with the equipment for which it is being used.
Alternatively a solution of 1% Teepol in demineralised water may be used
all equipment, for instance welding and cutting nozzles and hose connections, must be
properly fitted. Hoses and other equipment should be kept leak-tight and be protected
from damage
all maintenance and repair work should be carried out by experienced and fully skilled
personnel
when the work period is over, the cylinder valve or oxygen supply stop valve must be
turned off. This is to avoid possible oxygen leakage between the end of one working
period and the beginning of the next
the gas valves on blowpipes or cutting torches should not be relied upon for turning off
the oxygen supply
gas cylinders in use should be protected against being knocked or dropped

Excess oxygen in metallurgical processes

In many metallurgical processes such as gouging, cutting, scarfing and thermic lancing, a surplus
of oxygen escapes into the atmosphere and can lead to an oxygen-enriched atmosphere. Such
workspaces must be sufficiently ventilated.

Incorrect practice in the use of blowpipes

 care should be taken, especially in confined spaces, to avoid any delay in lighting the
blowpipe after opening the valves
when flame cutting, oxygen is required for the preheating flame, as well as for burning
the material and blowing out the slag. This leads to an excess of unused oxygen, the
amount of which will increase if the pressure employed is too high, or if the nozzle is too
big for the item being cut. It is therefore important to select the correct nozzles and
pressures.

Improper use of oxygen

Apart from the hazards of oxygen enrichment already described, the following misuses of
oxygen are particularly dangerous and must be strictly forbidden:

driving pneumatic tools

inflating vehicle tyres, rubber boats etc

cooling or freshening the air in confined spaces

cooling the person

dusting benches, machinery and clothing

starting diesel engines

This list is by no means complete.

Respiratory oxygen

Oxygen and oxygen-enriched air is used in medical equipment such as oxygen masks, oxygen
tents, incubators and hyperbaric chambers.

Even in the vicinity of exhausts from equipment in which oxygen is used, the air is liable to
become enriched. The resulting oxygen enrichment leads to a greatly-increased fire hazard.

To reduce the possibility of ignition, the following precautions should be taken:

naked flames and spark producing equipment must be avoided

smoking must be strictly forbidden

the use of cosmetic oil and grease should be strictly forbidden

precautions should be taken to avoid static electricity

Detection of oxygen enrichment or deficiency

Measuring instruments
These indicate increases and decreases in the oxygen concentration of the ambient atmosphere
and have a measuring range from 0 to 40% by volume of oxygen.

Various measuring techniques are available, giving visible and/or audible warnings and can
provide continuous or discontinuous measurement. The equipment must be easy to handle and
offer a high degree of reliability of operation. BOC can advise on the suitability of instrument to
be used.

Accuracy

The accuracy of the measuring method should be such that, when indicated 21%, the real value is
between 19.5% and 22.5%.

Using the measuring instruments

The manufacturer's operating and maintenance instructions must always be carefully followed.

In confined work environments the measuring instrument should be located as near as possible to
the worker.

It is recommended that the worker has a portable measuring instrument attached to his working
clothes which gives an audible and visual alarm if the oxygen content of the atmosphere is likely
to deviate more than 2% from that of normal air.

Odourisation

This method uses the addition of a foul-smelling substance to enable the easy detection of the
escape of fuel gases which can explode when mixed with air.

Although this process can be employed to detect oxygen leaks, the following points should be
noted:

the method cannot be used in processes where oxygen excess is normal, for example,
oxygen cutting
odorised oxygen may mask the escape of other odourised gases

because of the toxicity and combustibility of the odourants currently available, specific
installations and special safety regulations are called for when users employ odourisation
even with odourisation, users must continue to apply all their normal safety measures

Other gases

The safety of a workspace does not depend on oxygen content alone, but can be affected by other
gases such as fuel gases or carbon dioxide. These should be analysed as necessary.
Preventative Measures

General considerations

Apparatus used for the manufacture, distribution and utilisation of oxygen must be installed and
identified in accordance with the recommendations of the industrial gas industry, and must
comply with the applicable regulations.

Any leak must be dealt with by adequately trained staff using specific equipment.

Information should be available to all personnel on the actions to be taken by staff, first aiders
and fire-fighting teams in the event of an incident.

Operating personnel must at all times obey works rules and regulations and, where called for,
protective equipment must be worn.

Clothing

many 'non-flammable' textiles will burn fiercely in air containing as little as 30% oxygen
no material should be considered safe unless it is known to have been subjected to
professional fire safety testing
clothing should be well fitting yet easy to remove

clothing must be free from oil and grease

people who have been exposed to an oxygen-enriched atmosphere must not smoke or go
near naked flames or sparks until they have properly ventilated their clothes in a normal
atmosphere. A ventilation period of 5 minutes minimum, with movement of the arms and
legs and with coats unbuttoned, is recommended

Breathing equipment

Breathing equipment is not required for oxygen-rich environments.

Fire extinguishers

Under oxygen-rich conditions the best fire-fighting materials are water or extinguishers
containing dry chemical powder or carbon dioxide.

Fire-fighting equipment should be properly maintained and all workers should know where it is
located and how to operate it.

Double manning
Where personnel have to work in confined spaces which may become subject to atmospheric
oxygen enrichment or deficiency, a watcher must be stationed immediately outside the confined
space entrance.

The watcher should hold the rope of a rescue harness attached to the person working in the
confined space and should, if necessary, have a winch available.

Where the risk of accidental oxygen enrichment exists, adequate fire-fighting equipment must be
available.

Analysis

Before people enter a space which may be subject to oxygen enrichment or deficiency the
atmosphere should be analysed for oxygen. Free entry is permissible only if the oxygen
concentration is between 20 and 22%.

If there is any possibility of a change in concentration, anyone entering such a space must be
issued with a personal continuous oxygen-measuring device giving an audible alarm when the
oxygen concentration in the atmosphere varies outside the safe limits.

Information and training

All people who work in spaces where oxygen deficiency or enrichment can occur should be
given adequate instructions as to the risks involved, special attention being drawn to the nature of
the risks, the rapidity of their effects and that the operator may be unaware of the potential
danger he is exposed to.

Practical risk-reduction training should be given.

Blanking and ventilation

any vessel which is connected to a gas source other than air containing 21% oxygen must
be disconnected from such a source by the removal of a section of pipe, by the use of a
spectacle plate or by inserting blanking spades
the space should be thoroughly ventilated so as to maintain a normal atmosphere before
and during entry
reliance on the closure of valves to prevent oxygen enrichment or deficiency is not
sufficient
permission to enter such a space may be given only after the issue of a permit certificate
signed by a responsible person

Isolation of equipment
When an oxygen pipeline enters a building an isolation valve should always be provided outside
the building.

Disused oxygen lines should be completely severed from the supply system.

Oxygen enrichment - first aid

in the event of a major escape of liquid or gaseous oxygen, switch off all electrical
appliances in the area concerned and extinguish all naked flames. Experience has shown
that in the case of liquid oxygen spillage, substantial oxygen enrichment occurs only
within the visible cloud associated with the spill
fire-fighting materials should be confined to water or extinguishers containing dry
chemical powder or carbon dioxide
a person whose clothing catches fire should be thoroughly soaked with water from a hose
or series of fire buckets and removed into the fresh air as soon as possible
it is very dangerous to attempt to rescue a person on fire in an oxygen-enriched
atmosphere as the rescuer will most probably catch fire himself. In certain cases it may
be possible to enter such a space if the rescuer is totally deluged with water and protected
by constant water hosing

Entry into confined spaces

Guidance is given in the HSE Approved Code of Practice called 'Safe work in confined spaces',
available from HSE Books. It contains the Confined Space Regulations 1997.

Flammability ranges

In certain procedures fuel gases used with oxygen can cause an explosion hazard.

COSHH Regulations
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (usually called COSHH) state
that certain substances which are classified as being hazardous to health, and which employees
may be exposed to, must be identified in the workplace and the health risks to employees
assessed.

Hazardous substances

Substances deemed as hazardous to health may be gases, vapours, liquids, chemicals, fumes and
dusts, or mixtures containing such components.

If there is a potential for inhalation, contact with skin or eyes or ingestion into the body of any
classified substance, then those risks to the health of employees must be assessed.
Type of hazardous substances

The Chemicals (Hazard Information & Packaging for Supply) Regulations 1994 classifies a
substance as hazardous if it:

is toxic, harmful, corrosive, sensitising or an irritant

has maximum exposure limits

has occupational exposure standards

Other substances that are known to have chronic or delayed effects are:

carcinogenic or mutagenic substances

A substance hazardous to health may not be a single chemical but one which occurs in mixtures
or compounds. It is very important that you understand the potential risks posed by the
substances that you use. Take for example carbon dioxide: accidental release of carbon dioxide
contaminates the atmosphere, and where cylinders are stored in confined spaces (for example, in
a cellar), the contamination is all the more rapid. The effects of contamination can range from
headaches and dizziness to death caused by asphyxiation.

Assessment of health risk

Familiarise yourself with the information sheets for each substance used in your cellar.

Read the HSE guidance notes, manufacturers' standards and trade literature.

Remember: COSHH regulations are intended to ensure that you and your employees are safe, so
it is important that you know what you are looking for.

Think about your premises and your business, and consider the following:

changing the method of work so that tasks which involve an exposure are no longer
necessary
modifying a process to eliminate production of a hazardous by-product or waste product

where a hazardous substance is being used, substitute a different substance which poses
less risk to employees' health
prevention is better than cure, and you must give first priority to preventing exposure. In
some circumstances, where the effects of a substance are irreversible, prevention may be
the only cure

Control of exposure

In some cases, prevention of exposure to hazards is just not possible. In such cases you must do
your best to control exposure by any combination of the following measures:
 use systems of work which minimise the production of hazardous substances and limit
the area of contamination in the event of spills and leaks
install good general ventilation

reduce the period employees are exposed to hazardous substances

regularly clean contamination from walls, surfaces etc.

provide adequate means for safe storage and disposal of hazardous substances

prohibit eating, drinking, smoking etc. in contaminated areas

at the same time, ensure that your employees have suitable facilities in an
uncontaminated area for eating, drinking and washing
install a carbon dioxide monitor in confined spaces

Where it is not possible to prevent exposure to hazards it is important that you establish
procedures to ensure that employees use control measures properly.

They must know:

what precautions to take and when to take them

what cleaning, storage and disposal procedures are required

why they are required

when they are to be carried out

Encourage your employees to take an interest in control measures, after all it is for their own
benefit.

What to do now...

You should take COSHH Regulations very seriously; they should be an on-going concern.

Complying with the regulations does not have to add substantially to your workload. Keep
records and make them available for inspection by employees or medical advisers. This may
seem like an onerous task in the short-term, but once you have produced a full record, updating it
will be simple.

Your premises will comply with the COSHH regulations, you and your employees will be safer
in your working environment and you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing you
have taken all the necessary steps to ensure that you and your employees have a safe working
environment.

Flammable Gases Risks

Acetylene, hydrogen, propane, propylene and methane are all flammable gases referred to as
'fuel gases'.

When these gases are mixed with an oxidant and provided with an ignition source, they will
burn.

Flammable gas hazards

Fuel gases all have an associated asphyxiation hazard but they also present the more important
hazards of fire and explosion.

The diagram displays the flammability concentration limits for an atmosphere of air.

The orange bands show the percentage range of fuel gas that present particular danger of fire and
explosion.

As the percentage of fuel gas increases, the risk of fire becomes greater.

After the concentration has exceeded the upper value, the air becomes saturated by the gas and
ignition becomes less likely.

If a container is kept inside or in a confined space, even small quantities of escaping fuel gas are
sufficient, under certain conditions, to form an ignitable mixture.

There is only a small risk that the lower ignition limits will be reached in large working areas
that have good natural ventilation or are in the open air.

Leaking fuel gases may form ignitable mixtures with the surrounding air and lead to fire or
explosions.
For this reason many of them are 'stenched' (given a smell, e.g. rotting fish) which means that
leaks can be more readily identified.

Gas Equipment Advice

Gauges

When a pressure regulator is fitted with pressure gauges, these should never be removed,
exchanged or tampered with in any way. If a gauge leaks, take the whole pressure regulator to
your supplier.

Hoses

Right colour, right quality

Use only hoses to British Standard BS5120 or the new European Standard EN559:

blue for oxygen

red for acetylene or hydrogen

orange for propane/LPG and black for inert gases such as nitrogen

Use only the best quality hose as supplied by BOC. Inferior hoses harden and may later crack,
leak or catch fire internally when subject to oxygen.

Never use water hose.

Right connection

BOC fitted hose is supplied with the ends firmly attached to nipples, with loose nuts for
connection to regulator outlets and blowpipe inlets
never use old or second-hand clips for hose connections

twisted wire can cause serious injury if the hose works loose and flails about

inferior hose connection is a frequent cause of accidents

check connections regularly

always purge hoses before lighting a cutting or welding torch

Flashbacks

When using oxy-fuel gas equipment, flashbacks can occur due to:

recommended pressures and procedures not being observed

 nozzle blockage

faulty or leaking equipment

Hose check valve

One of the main causes of flashback is backfeeding. This occurs when higher pressure gas feeds
back up a lower pressure stream. Hose check valves prevent backfeeding.

Hose check valves are already fitted to hose supplied from BOC retail outlets for oxygen,
acetylene and propane applications.

Flashback arrestors

A flashback arrestor is a device designed to quench flashback. When incorporated with a cut-off
valve it will automatically shut off the gas flow.

Flashback arrestors provide an additional safeguard, particularly in locations where a fire would
be particularly dangerous, such as hospitals, garages, and workplaces with flammable or
hazardous chemicals.

Flashback arrestors should be fitted to all fuel gas supply lines and to oxygen supply lines when
they are used in conjunction with fuel gases.

Flashback arrestors are available from BOC retail stores.

Hose length

do not use hose of longer length than necessary

never couple two or more standard lengths together

each hose must be long enough to allow the cylinders to be safely positioned away from
flying sparks and hot metal
hoses should not be positioned underneath the cutting/welding area where discarded
pieces of hot metal could fall on them
if a long hose assembly is necessary for a special task, use only recommended couplings
and dismantle them when the job is complete
ensure that the operator can always reach the cylinders without delay, so that he can close
the cylinder valves quickly in an emergency

Hose condition

Never use damaged hose.

Hoses with tears, burns, fraying or cuts should be replaced with new industry-approved fitted
hose to the standard BS EN 1256.

Personal safety wear

when welding or cutting, always use goggles with double lenses (carrying the CE mark)
to protect your eyes against glare and mechanical impact from flying fragments
the inner lens should be tinted and the outer lens clear

the clear outer lenses should be changed regularly when spatter builds up

it is advisable to wear eye protection (spectacles or goggles carrying the CE mark) when
handling high pressure gases to protect the eyes against flying dust particles or the impact
of the gas stream
do not wear clothes made of highly flammable materials

leather gloves or gauntlets should be used when necessary

in awkward work locations additional protective clothing may be required

Transporting Cylinders
Information on moving and transporting cylinders.

Carriage of cylinders by road

When you collect cylinders from a BOC Trade Outlet, you will be provided with the information
you need to establish your obligations under the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of
Transportable Pressure Receptacles Regulations.

Everyone carrying gas cylinders in a vehicle should follow basic safety requirements. Drivers,
should be trained in:

the associated hazards and dangers of the goods

safe handling of gas cylinders

emergency procedures and the use of fire-fighting appliances

All training should be recorded and kept by both the employee and employer.

The training should be periodically supplemented with refresher training to take account of
regulation changes and should be verified upon commencing a new employment.
Vehicles used for the transportation of gas cylinders should be open. If this cannot be achieved
the vehicle should be well ventilated. Toxic gases must not be carried in a closed vehicle unless
the vehicle has been specifically designed for the purpose.

A 2kg fire extinguisher is required on all vehicles carrying gas cylinders to fight engine and cab
fires.

Cylinder valves must be closed whilst in transit and any equipment disconnected.

Cylinders should be secured properly and should not project beyond the sides or ends of the
vehicle.

Cylinder labels are attached to all BOC cylinders. The label is produced in accordance with the
current legislation. These labels must never be removed or defaced.

In addition to these general requirements you may need to make specific provision if your load is
above a certain threshold.

It is each driver's responsibility to know whether the load they are carrying is above the
threshold.

If a leak is suspected park the vehicle in a safe place and contact BOC immediately.

Please see the BOC publication 'Guidance for Carriage of Gas Cylinders On Vehicles'
(SFT/005035) for more information.

Carriage of cylinders in the works

Movement of cylinders within the works boundaries should be carried out with the same care as
when moving them on the general highway.

Cylinders must be properly secured when being moved and, if transported in a van, precautions
must be taken to avoid a build-up of gas which might affect the driver.