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U. S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine
Office of Science and Technology Assessment
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Potentially Hazardous Sherwood TV Series Valves
with Compressed Gas Association (CGA) 580 Cylinder Connections
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Hazard Information Bulletins |
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HIB 00-09-25 |
This HIB is not a new standard or regulation
and it creates no new legal obligations. It is
advisory in nature, informational in content,
and is intended to assist employers in providing a
safe and healthful workplace.
For a fuller description of the nature
and effect of Hazard Information Bulletins,
see the Important Information box at the end
of this bulletin.
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Purpose
The purpose of this Hazard Information Bulletin is:
- to alert users of CGA 580 cylinder connections (used for argon, helium,
nitrogen and nonflammable gas mixtures), with Sherwood TV series compressed
gas cylinder valves (date codes "48-99" or "03-00"), that
the valves may have had excessive torque applied during assembly. Cylinders
fitted with these valves may fail when the cylinders are filled; and
- to inform users of CGA 580 cylinder connections fitted with the affected
Sherwood TV series compressed gas cylinder valves of the corrective procedures
offered by Sherwood and compressed gas cylinder suppliers.
Background
The Atlanta Regional Office brought to the attention of the Directorate of
Technical Support potential hazards associated with two specific lots of
compressed gas cylinder valves manufactured by Sherwood, a division of Harsco
Corporation's Gas & Fluid Control Group. These valves were sold for use
throughout the industrial gas industry. The valves have CGA 580 cylinder
connections with a date code stamped into the wrench flat of the valve body.
(See Illustration No. 1). The potentially impacted lots are identified by the
date codes "48-99" and "03-00."
Description of Hazard
Sherwood has received five reports involving Sherwood TV5861 valves in which the
bonnet, upper stem, and hand wheel assembly ejected from the valve body when the
cylinder was filled for the first time after the valve was installed. The CGA
580 connections are designed for pressure up to 3000 psig. These failures
produced expulsions of sufficient force to potentially injure workers; however,
no injuries were reported with respect to any of these incidents. Sherwood's
initial investigation revealed that the bonnet thread strength of the valves may
have been compromised due to over torquing during the valve installation.
Sherwood has issued a safety alert to its customers. In the alert, Sherwood
states that it does not believe the potential hazard involves the TV series
valves with date codes 48-99 and 03-00, if the valves have one of the following
manufacturing process identifier marks: ")", "O", or
"X" imprinted before the word "Sherwood" directly below the
hand wheel assembly. (See Illustration No. 2).
Corrective Actions by Sherwood and the Compressed Gas Industry
Illustration No. 1
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Illustration No. 2
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Sherwood has requested that its customers immediately quarantine the following
TV series valves and attached cylinders with date codes of 48-99 and 03-00,
unless the valves are imprinted with the manufacturing process identifier marks
")", "O", or "X":
| TV 5881-28 |
TV 5861-38KF |
| TV 5881-32 |
TV 5861-32 |
| TV 5861-28-4KF |
TV 5861-32-7 |
| TV 5861-32B |
TV 5861-35-7 |
| TV 5861-35 |
TV 5861-35KF |
| TV 5861-38-7 |
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Sherwood will repair or replace quarantined valves as appropriate.
Sherwood has issued the following instructions for inspecting cylinders with the TV series 48-99 and 03-00 valves:
- Inspect all CGA 580 valves.
- Do not stand directly over the hand wheel of the valve.
- Do not attempt to operate the valve.
- If you locate a valve that is the subject of the safety alert, quarantine the cylinder and valve and immediately contact Ron Kelsey (716-283-1010, ext. 2129).
Sherwood notes that it is committed to assisting the industry in the quick and safe retrieval of this
product from the industrial marketplace.
It is the understanding of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that many suppliers of compressed gas
cylinders that use the Sherwood TV series cylinder valves have issued a bulletin and sent letters to all known customers
requesting that customers immediately quarantine and label with a "DO NOT USE" tag all affected cylinders if they are not
connected and in use. If they are connected, users are instructed to not operate the valve, secure the area, and contact their
cylinder suppliers for assistance.
Recommendations
OSHA recommends that all users of compressed gas cylinders fitted with the CGA 580 cylinder connections and the subject Sherwood
cylinder valves follow the manufacturer and the suppliers' instructions with respect to the proper method for inspecting and handling
such cylinders and connections.
Important Information on the Nature and Effect of Hazard Information Bulletins
The Directorate of Technical Support issues Hazard Information Bulletins (HIBs) in accordance
with OSHA Instruction CPL 2.65 to provide relevant information regarding unrecognized
or misunderstood health and safety hazards, as well as potential hazards associated with
particular materials, devices, techniques, and engineering controls. HIBs are initiated based on
information provided by the field staff, studies, reports, and concerns expressed by safety and
health professionals, employers, employees and their representatives, and the public. HIBs are
developed based on a thorough evaluation of available facts and in coordination with appropriate parties.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with hazard-specific
safety and health standards. In addition, employers must provide their employees with a
workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm under
Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause of the Act. Employers can be cited for violating the
General Duty Clause if there is a recognized hazard and they do not take steps to prevent or
abate the hazard. However, failure to implement HIB recommendations is not, in itself, a violation
of the General Duty Clause. Citations can only be based on standards, regulations, and the
General Duty Clause.
Further information about this Bulletin may be obtained by contacting OSHA’s Directorate
of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300.
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