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Standard Interpretations
01/19/2005 - 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(7), securing compressed gas cylinders - rational for and hazards addressed by the requirement. |
Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents |
Standard Number: | 1926.350; 1926.350(a)1926.350(a)(7) ; 1926.350(a)(1); 1926.350(a)(9); 1926.350(a)(6); 1926.350(a)(11); 1926.350(a)(12) |
January 19, 2005 Mr. Richard Johnston Hausmann Johnson Insurance, Inc. 700 Regent Street P.O. Box 259408 Madison, WI 53725-9408 Re: 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(7); securing compressed gas cylinders. Dear Mr. Johnston: This is in response to your letter dated October 18, 2004, to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). You asked for our opinion on the rationale for and hazard addressed by the construction standards for securing compressed gas cylinders. We have paraphrased your question as follows: Question: Regarding OSHA's construction standards for securing compressed gas cylinders, I remember being told that the standard was intended to prevent explosive venting of a cylinder if it fell. This was because the cylinder could become a dangerous flying projectile if the valve was damaged. I have enclosed an article by a former Compressed Gas Association official stating that, by design, a cylinder with a broken valve would spin but have insufficient thrust to become airborne. Does this render OSHA's standard for securing these cylinders unnecessary? Answer: OSHA's construction standard for storing compressed gas cylinders (for welding) are addressed in §1926.350(a), which states in part: §1926.350 Gas welding and cutting.The provisions in §1926.350(a) are derived from the 1967 American National Standards Institute, Z49.1-1967, Safety in Welding and Cutting, consensus standard. One of the most significant hazards addressed in that consensus standard and the OSHA provisions set out above is the potential of fire and/or explosion. Consequently, there is a strong basis for the standard irrespective of whether there is a hazard of a compressed gas cylinder that falls and breaks off its valve to become an airborne projectile. 1 If you need any additional information, please contact us by fax at: U.S. Department of Labor, OSHA, Directorate of Construction, Office of Construction Standards and Guidance, fax # 202-693-1689. You can also contact us by mail at the above office, Room N3468, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210, although there will be a delay in our receiving correspondence by mail. Sincerely, Russell B. Swanson, Director Directorate of Construction 1 We have not undertaken an analysis of the article that you submitted and, therefore, offer no comment on its assertions. [ back to text ] |
Standard Interpretations - Table of Contents |
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