Hazards associated with compressed gases include oxygen displacement, fires, explosions, and toxic gas exposures, as well as the physical hazards associated with high pressure systems. Special storage, use, and handling precautions are necessary in order to control these hazards.

Compressed gas and equipment is addressed in specific standards for the general industry, shipyard employment, marine terminals, and the construction industry.

OSHA Standards

This section highlights OSHA standards, directives (instructions for compliance officers), and standard interpretations (official letters of interpretation of the standards) related to compressed gas and equipment.

Note: Twenty-five states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart H, Hazardous materials
  • 1910.101, Compressed gases (general requirements)
  • 1910.102, Acetylene
  • 1910.103, Hydrogen 
  • 1910.104, Oxygen
  • 1910.105, Nitrous oxide
    
  
  
• 1910 Subpart M, Compressed gas and compressed air equipment
  • 1910.169, Air receivers
    
  
  
• 1910 Subpart Q, Welding, cutting, and brazing [related topic page]
  • 1910.253, Oxygen-fuel gas welding and cutting
  • 1910.254, Arc welding and cutting
    
  
  
• 1910 Subpart T, Commercial diving operations [related topic page]
  • 1910.430, Equipment

Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)

• 1915 Subpart D, Welding, cutting and heating
  • 1915.55, Gas welding and cutting

Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)

• 1917 Subpart G, Related terminal operations and equipment
  • 1917.152, Welding, cutting and heating (hot work) (see also 1917.2, definition of hazardous cargo, materials, substance or atmosphere)
  • 1917.154, Compressed air
  • 1917.155, Air receivers

Construction Industry (29 CFR 1926)

• 1926 Subpart D, Occupational health and environmental controls
  • 1926.65, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
    
  
  
• 1926 Subpart J, Welding and cutting
  • 1926.350, Gas welding and cutting

Directives

Compressed Air

• 29 CFR 1926.350(a)(9) Securing of Compressed Gas Cylinders. STD 03-08-002 [STD 3-8.2], (1981, March 11). Applies to construction sites only, and not to the manufacturers and distributors of welding gases.
  


• Drains on Air Receivers; 29 CFR 1910.169(a)(2)(i) and (6)(2). STD 01-10-002 [STD 1-10.2], (1978, October 30). Provides guidelines for issuance of citations for violation of drain requirements for air receivers.
  


• Reduction of Air Pressure below 30 psi for Cleaning Purposes. STD 01-13-001 [STD 1-13.1], (1978, October 30). Provides guidance for complying with the standard.
  


• Search all available directives.

Standard Interpretations

Gas Cylinders

• Compressed gas cylinders. (1996, November 14).
  


• Movement of compressed gas cylinders with regulators installed and "special truck" requirement. (1993, September 9).
  


• Applicability of compressed gas cylinder standard to workplaces subject to the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standard. (1992, June 5).
  


• Transportation of compressed gas chambers. (1992, May 5).
  


• Maintaining Workplace Acetylene Cylinders. (1992, February 6).
  


• Compressed Gas Cylinder Valve Protector. (1989, July 26).
  


• Interpretation of "special truck" as identified in 1910.252(a)(2)(v)(B)(4). (1988, October 24).
  


• Applicable regulations to the Nupro 316-DC-RD cylinder valve. (1986, May 16).
  


• Valve protection for compressed gas cylinders. (1980, October 22).
  


• Clarification of 29 CFR 1926.350(b)(4) to Permit Cylinders Containing Oxygen, Acetylene or Other Fuel Gas to be Taken into Tunnels. (1975, July 7).
  

Compressed Air

• Using compressed air for cleaning an employee's body and clothing. (1994, January 14).
  


• Use of compressed air when cleaning arsenic and lead contaminated surfaces. (1993, March 18).
  


• Use of thermoplastic pipe in above ground locations. (1991, February 28).
  


• The safe use of portable, compressed-air-actuated, fastener driving tools (staple guns). (1986, August 8).
  


• Response to request for variance from 1910.242(b). (1985, December 6).
  


• Applicability of 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) to Portable Pneumatic Powered Fastener Tools. (1985, March 25).
  


• Clarification that a safety device to automatically cut off the flow of compressed air applies only to pneumatic power tools. (1983, June 6).
  


• The use of compressed air for cleaning purposes with a pressure greater than 30 P.S.I. and the use of air guns with long pipes. (1978, April 14).
  


• Search all available standard interpretations.

Hazard Recognition

The following references aid in recognizing the hazards associated with compressed gas and equipment.

• Potential Carbon Dioxide (CO(2)) Asphyxiation Hazard When Filling Stationary Low Pressure CO(2) Supply Systems. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1996, June 5). Describes the potential asphyxiation hazard when carbon dioxide is dispensed to supply systems.
  


• The Use of Polyvinyl Chloride Pipe in Above Ground Installations. OSHA Hazard Information Bulletin (HIB), (1988, May 20). Describes the hazard when using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe for transporting compressed gases.

Hazard Evaluation and Control

The following reference provides information regarding the evaluation and control of hazards associated with compressed gas and equipment.

• Compressed Gases Self Inspection Checklist. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Safety Checklist Program for Schools. Applies to the more common precautions of handling, storage, and use of compressed gases in cylinders or portable tanks in school environments.

Additional Information

Related Safety and Health Topics Pages

• Commercial Diving
  


• Process Safety Management (PSM)
  


• Hand and Power Tools
  


• Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills
  


• Pressure Vessels
  


• Welding, Cutting, and Brazing

Other Resources

• Compressed Gas Safety: General Safety Guidelines [291 KB PDF, 12 pages]. Montana Department of Labor and Industry, Occupational Safety and Health Bureau. Provides information that may be used as a guideline for the safe use of compressed gas.
  


• Compressed Gas Safety Guide. Stony Brook University, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), (2005, July). Provides information on compressed gas safety, such as requirements, training, reporting, applicable regulations, and compressed gas association pamphlets.

Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management at (202) 693-2300 for assistance accessing PDF materials.