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Page last reviewed: 02/13/2007
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Compressed Gas and Equipment
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)
Shipyard Employment (29 CFR 1915)
Marine Terminals (29 CFR 1917)
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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)
Directives
Compressed Air
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.
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
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.
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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.
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