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Purpose
It is the policy of the Community College of Rhode Island to permit only trained and authorized employees to
handle, store, use, and inspect compressed gases and equipment. This policy is applicable to daily users and to
those who only occasionally have cause to use the equipment.
This written Compressed Gas Plan describes methods and practices for care and use of compressed gases that
can be read and understood by all managers, supervisors, and employees at the Community College of Rhode
Island. This written plan must be used to:
Administrative Duties
Copies of this written Compressed Gas Plan are kept in the office of the Physical Plant Director, the Chemical
Safety Coordinator and the Department of Safety and Security and Campus Police.
If, after reading this plan, you find that improvements can be made, please contact the Chemical Safety
Coordinator or one of the Physical Plant Directors. We encourage all suggestions because we are committed to
creating a safe workplace for all our employees, and a safe and effective compressed gas safety program is an
important component of our overall safety plan. We strive for clear understanding, safe work practices, and
involvement in the program from every level of the College.
Lists of Compressed Gases and Equipment
The compressed gases used at CCRI include acetylene, air, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, nitrogen,
and oxygen. Liquefied propane is stored outside the buildings at all campuses in stationary tanks and in
the vehicle garages in portable tanks.
The compressed gas equipment
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The compressed gas equipment used includes air testing equipment, compressed gas cylinders,
laboratory instruments, portable tanks, pressure regulators, resuscitation training equipment, and welding
torches.
Inspection Procedures
The Physical Plant Directors and the Chemical Safety Coordinator are qualified to determine that compressed
gas cylinders are in a safe condition to the extent that can be determined by visual inspection. Inspections of
cylinders are conducted quarterly.
49 CFR 171 - 179 and 49 CFR 103 (Hazardous Materials Regulations under the Department of
Transportation).
Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet C-6-1968 (Standards for Visual Inspection of Steel Compressed
Gas Cylinders).
Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet C-8-1962 (Standard for Requalification of DOT-3HT Seamless
Steel Cylinders).
If a cylinder is found to be unfit in its present condition, then the Physical Plant Directors or the Chemical
Safety Coordinator must determine whether it can be repaired or must be. If a cylinder is repaired, it can only
go back into service if the defect is corrected as specified according to the requirements listed above.
Identify a gas and its dangers before using it; look for this information on labels, MSDSs, and cylinder
markings and not use a cylinder whose contents are not known.
Examine cylinders as soon they are received; if signs of damage or leakage are detected, move the
cylinder to a safe, isolated area and return it to the supplier as soon as possible.
Use only regulators, pressure relief devices, valves, hoses, and other auxiliary equipment designed for
the specific container and compressed gas/cryogenic liquid to be used.
Use shatterproof safety goggles when making or breaking any connection to a cylinder,
Not interchange equipment between different types of gases.
Make sure valves, hoses, connectors, and regulators
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Make sure valves, hoses, connectors, and regulators are in good condition; do not use cylinders if
equipment is not in good condition.
Use pressure relief devices and safety devices to help maintain cylinder or system pressure at the
desired levels. (Exceeding the desired pressure could damage the cylinder or system.)
Check to see if regulators, hoses, and gauges can be used with different gases; always assume they
cannot.
Never open valves until regulators are drained of gas and pressure-adjusting devices are released; point
outlets when opening cylinders away from people and sources of ignition, such as sparks or flames; open
valves slowly; use only supplier-recommended wrenches on valves without hand wheels; never use
wrenches on hand wheels.
Not tamper with connections and not force connections together.
Not hammer valves open or closed.
Not drop, bang, slide, clank, or roll cylinders on their sides.
Not let cylinders fall or have things fall on them.
Not lift a cylinder by its cap unless using hand trucks so designed.
Use carts or other material handling equipment to move cylinders; use ropes and chains to move a
cylinder only if the cylinder has special lugs to accommodate this.
Keep cylinders secured and upright.
Never secure cylinders to conduit carrying electrical wiring.
Know accident and first aid procedures.
Transport Procedures
The primary responsibility for the proper transporting of a compressed gas cylinder rests with the department in
which it will be used. A hand truck is available in each maintenance area for transporting gas cylinders safely.
We follow the safe storage procedures found in the CGA pamphlet series, including the P-1-1991 pamphlet.
Our transport procedures for compressed gases include the following:
Compressed gas cylinders may be moved by individuals from the receiving or maintenance department
or a laboratory paraprofessional who has received the training outlined at the end of this policy. Students
may not transport compressed gas cylinders.
Compressed gas tanks must be moved from one part of the building to another on a hand cart. Never
drag a cylinder or roll a cylinder.
When compressed gas cylinders, whether they are full or empty, are moved by elevator, the transporter
must be accompanied by a Campus Police officer who will commandeer the elevator and prevent others
from entering it. A Campus Police officer escort is also required when transporting a cylinder through a
public corridor form one part of a building to another. (An officer is not required at the Knight Campus
when moving gas cylinders form one chemistry or biology laboratory to another in the same corridor.)
Never leave a cylinder unattended in a public place. Make sure the recipient is present to receive it.
Never leave a cylinder unsecured. When delivered to its user, a cylinder must either be secured by the
transporting person or handed over to a qualified user who will secure it.
When transporting compressed gas cylinders by motorized vehicle, be sure the vehicle is adequately
equipped to haul compressed gases safely. Stop the engine while loading or unloading flammable
compressed gases.
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Storage Procedures
The primary responsibility for properly storing a compressed gas cylinder rests with the department in which it
will be used. We follow the safe storage procedures found in the CGA pamphlet series, including the P-1-1991
pamphlet. Our storage procedures for compressed gases include the following:
Usage Procedures
The primary responsibility for properly using a compressed gas cylinder rests with the department in which it
will be used. We follow the safe usage procedures found in the CGA pamphlet series, including the P-1-1991
pamphlet. Our employees must follow these procedures for using compressed gases:
Secure all cylinders as soon as they are delivered to the area where they will be used.
Never remove a cap from an unsecured cylinder.
Remove any leaking containers to a well-ventilated area and post a warning of the hazard.
Shut a leaking valve and tighten the valve gland or nut. Then try opening the valve; if it still leaks, close it
and tag the container "unserviceable".
Make sure labels are legible before using containers; otherwise, return containers to supplier.
Do not misuse containers (i.e., use them for support or use them as rollers).
Keep containers away from fire, sparks, and electricity.
Do not smoke or allow others to smoke in the vicinity of compressed gas containers.
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Training Program
The Physical Plant Directors and the Chemical Safety Coordinator are responsible for training personnel who
will handle, store or use compressed gases. Under no circumstances will an employee handle, store, or use a
compressed gas until he/she has successfully completed this company's compressed gas training program. This
includes all new workers who will handle, store, and use compressed gases, regardless of claimed previous
experience.
Individuals in the following departments may receive training: Biology, Central Stores, Chemistry, Respiratory
Therapy, Clinical Laboratory Technology, Dental Health, Industrial Technology, Maintenance, Physics,
Receiving, College Police.
The Personnel Department, the Physical Plant Directors and the Department chairs are responsible for
identifying all new employees and making arrangements with department management to schedule the
instruction for those employees previously identified in this policy as needing training.
Usage procedures.
Gas-specific safety procedures.
Compressed gas emergency procedures.
Recordkeeping
The Chemical Safety Coordinator is responsible for maintaining records of cylinder inspections and
maintenance. These records are kept in the office of the Chemical Safety Coordinator.
The Chemical Safety Coordinator is responsible for maintaining records of individuals trained and certified for
handling, storage, and use of compressed gases and equipment. These records are kept in the office of the
Chemical Safety Coordinator.
Program Evaluation
Although we may not be able to eliminate all problems, we try to eliminate as many as possible to improve
employee protection and encourage employee safe practices. Therefore, the Chemical Safety Coordinator is
responsible for evaluating and updating this written plan. Written or verbal input from interested parties is
encouraged and always welcome. The evaluation will include a review of reported accidents, as well as near
misses, to identify areas where additional safety measures need to be taken.
The will also conduct a periodic review to determine the effectiveness of the program. This review may
include:
This pa ge de ve loped and m a inta ined by Environm enta l He alth a nd Sa fety. Send com m ents a nd
sugge stions to ccrifoote @ccri.e du. ©2010, Com m unity College of R hode Island.
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