HSE

Health & Safety

Executive

The safe use of

gas cylinders

INTRODUCTION

When accidents involving gas cylinders occur they can

cause serious injury or even death. Fortunately they rarely
happen. This leaflet provides simple practical advice on
eliminating or reducing the risks associated with gas
cylinders.
It is aimed at anyone who uses, owns, fills or repairs gas
cylinders at work (the legal term for a gas cylinder is
transportable pressure receptacle). The advice will be useful
for those who own or manage small businesses. Additional
guidance is listed at the end of this leaflet.
Gas cylinders used in adverse or extreme conditions, such
as under water, may require special precautions. While the
advice in this leaflet is valid for all uses of gas cylinders,
these extra precautions are not covered.
Gas cylinders are a convenient way to transport and store
gases under pressure. These gases are used for many
different purposes including:

chemical processes;
soldering, welding and flame cutting;
breathing (eg diving, emergency rescue);
medical and laboratory uses;
fuel for vehicles (eg fork-lift trucks);
fire extinguishers;
heating and cooking.

The main causes of accidents are:

inadequate training and supervision;

poor installation;
poor maintenance;
faulty equipment and/or design (eg badly fitted valves
and regulators);
poor handling;
poor storage;
inadequately ventilated working conditions.

The main hazards are:

impact from the blast of a gas cylinder explosion or rapid

release of compressed gas;
impact from parts of gas cylinders that fail or any flying
debris;
contact with the released gas or fluid (such as chlorine);
fire resulting from the escape of flammable gases or
fluids (such as liquefied petroleum gas);
impact from falling cylinders.

HOW TO REDUCE THE RISKS

All gas cylinders must be designed and manufactured to an

approved specification to withstand everyday use and to
prevent danger. To reduce the risks of failure you need to
know, and act on, the following precautions.
Training
Anyone who refurbishes, fills or uses a gas cylinder should be
suitably trained and have the necessary skills to carry out
their job safely. They should understand the risks associated
with the gas cylinder and its contents.
In particular:

new employees should

receive initial training
and be supervised closely;
users should be able to
carry out an external
visual inspection of
the gas cylinder and
any attachments
(eg valves and
regulators), to
determine
whether
they are
damaged visual indicators
may include dents,
bulges, evidence of fire
damage (scorch marks), etc.

Initial integrity
The law requires that gas cylinders should be:

manufactured to a design standard or design

specification of a type approved by the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE); or
manufactured in accordance with an established
European Directive, relating to gas cylinders
(often called EEC-type cylinders);
examined by an approved
inspection body to verify the
cylinders are manufactured
correctly.

Owners and fillers should satisfy

themselves that these requirements
have been carried out by
examining either:

the written certificate

which accompanies the
gas cylinder; or
the stamp or mark of the
inspection body on the
gas cylinder itself.

Continuing integrity
If you own gas cylinders, you
should ensure that they are examined at
appropriate intervals to make sure that they are safe
for continued use. The law requires that gas cylinders are:

examined and tested at appropriate intervals,

by a competent person, in accordance with
recognised national standards or the
relevant design specification;
marked, with a stamp or
label, to show that they
have been examined and
tested by a competent
person (see note in box
below);
marked, with a stamp
or label to show when the
next examination is due;
checked by an appointed
verification body before being
resupplied - if modified or repaired.

The law prohibits modifications or major repairs to the

body of seamless gas cylinders or cylinders that have
contained acetylene.
For cylinders, where there is minor damage only,
refurbishment (limited to cosmetic work only, which does
not affect the integrity of the cylinder) can be undertaken by a
person competent to do so.

Note: A competent person is an individual person

or body who has the necessary skills, experience and
expertise to carry out a thorough examination and
test of a gas cylinder to determine whether it is safe
for continued use.

Filling
Anyone carrying out the filling of gas cylinders should wear
suitable personal protective equipment as appropriate. This
may include safety shoes, gloves, ear and eye protection.
Before filling a gas cylinder check:

that the gas cylinder has been properly examined by a

competent person and is still within its due test date;
it is suitable for the gas/fluid with which it is to be filled;
the gas cylinders safe operating limits;
that the valves and regulators (where fitted) are:

correctly fitted and not leaking;

in good working condition;

suitable for their intended purpose;

valves and fittings are not contaminated, eg with

incompatible lubricants.

After filling a gas cylinder check:

the gas cylinder is within its safe operating limits;

the gas cylinder is not overfilled or overpressurised:

in the event of inadvertent overfilling, any excess

gas has to be removed in a safe manner;
that the gas cylinder connections are not leaking, eg by
using special equipment, such as sniffers or manometers.
If appropriate, the simple method of using a soapy water
solution can be used.

Handling and use

Use gas cylinders in a vertical position, unless specifically

designed to be used otherwise.

Always double check that the cylinder/gas

is the right one for the intended use.
Securely restrain cylinders to
prevent them falling over.
Close the cylinder
valve and replace
dust caps, where
provided, when
a gas cylinder is
not in use.
Before
connecting
a gas cylinder
to equipment
or pipework
make sure that the
regulator and pipework
are suitable for the type of gas and pressure being used.
Wear suitable safety shoes when handling gas cylinders.
Do not use gas cylinders for any other purpose than
the transport and storage of gas.
Do not drop gas cylinders.

Lifting

Use suitable cradles, slings, clamps or other effective

means when lifting cylinders with a hoist or crane.
Do not use valves, shrouds and caps for lifting cylinders
unless they have been designed and manufactured for
this purpose.
Gas cylinders should not be raised or lowered on the
forks of lift trucks unless adequate precautions are taken
to prevent them from falling.

Transport

Fit suitable protective valve caps and covers to cylinders,

when necessary, before transporting. (Note: caps and
covers prevent moisture and dirt from gathering in the
valve of the cylinder. They also help in preventing gas
from leaking.)
Securely stow gas cylinders to prevent them from moving
or falling. This is normally in the vertical position, unless
instructions for transport state otherwise.
Disconnect regulators and hoses from
cylinders whenever practicable.
Do not let gas cylinders project beyond
the sides or end of a vehicle.
Ensure gas cylinders
are clearly marked
to show their
contents and
the hazards
associated
with their
contents.
It may be
necessary to
take special
measures
with certain
types and
quantities of
compressed gases
and fluids in order to ensure
their safe carriage. If you have any
doubts seek further guidance (see Further advice).

Storage

Store gas cylinders in a safe place in the open air. If this is

not reasonably practicable, then store them in an
adequately ventilated building or part of a building
specifically reserved for this purpose.
Gas cylinders containing flammable gas should not be
stored in part of a building used for other purposes.
Protect gas cylinders from external heat sources which
may adversely affect their mechanical integrity.
Gas cylinders should be stored away from sources of
ignition and other flammable materials.
Avoid storing gas cylinders so that they stand or lie in
water.
Store gas cylinders securely when they are not in use.
They should be properly restrained, unless designed to
be free-standing.
Gas cylinders must be clearly marked to show, what they
contain and the hazards associated with their contents.

FURTHER ADVICE

Contact the following:

Your local HSE office - the number can be obtained from
directory enquiries or the phone book under Health and
Safety Executive.
For premises covered by the local authority, eg offices and
shops, contact the Local Authority Unit enquiry point.
Tel: 0207 717 6442; Fax: 0207 717 6418.
The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) can
advise on competent people. UKAS can be contacted at
21-47 High Street, Feltham, Middlesex TW13 4UN.
Tel: 0208 917 8435; Fax: 0208 917 8499.
Related regulations, guidance and further information
This leaflet tells you about the main dangers of gas cylinders
and of some of your legal responsibilities. For more detail you
should refer to:
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Classification, Packaging
and Labelling) and Use of Transportable Pressure Receptacles
Regulations 1996: SI 1996/2092
The Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum
Gases Regulations 1972: SI 1972/917
The Pressure Vessels (Verification) Regulations 1988:
SI 1988/896
Manual handling. Manual Handling Operations Regulations
1992 Guidance on Regulations L23 HSE Books 1998
ISBN 0 7176 2415 3

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Safe use of lifting equipment. Lifting Operations and Lifting

Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and
Guidance L113 HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1628 2
Chemical warehousing: the storage of packaged dangerous
substances HSG71 HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1484 0
Guidance for road vehicle operators and others involved in the
carriage of dangerous goods by road HSG161 HSE Books 1996
ISBN 0 7176 1253 8
The safe use of compressed gases in welding, flame cutting and
allied processes HSG139 HSE Books 1997 ISBN 0 7176 0680 5
British Compressed Gases Association Guidance Note GN2
(on storage of cylinders) and Code of Practice CP11
(on testing of cylinders). BCGA address given below.
The storage of full and empty LPG cylinders and cartridges. LP Gas
Association Code of Practice No. 7 Available from the LP Gas
Association, address given on page 12.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of
the references listed in this publication, their future
availability cannot be guaranteed.
Regulations are available from:
The Stationery Office (formerly HMSO), PO Box 272,
London SW8 5DT. Tel: 0870 600 5522; Fax: 0870 600 5533
Further guidance may be obtained from:
The British Compressed Gases Association, 14 Tollgate,
Eastleigh, Hampshire SO5 33TG. Tel: 01703 641488

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The LP Gas Association, Pavilion 16, Headlands Business

Park, Salisbury Road, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 3PB.
HSE priced and free publications are available by mail order
from:
HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA.
Tel: 01787 881165; Fax: 01787 313885. HSE priced publications
are also available from good booksellers.
For other enquiries ring HSEs InfoLine Tel: 0541 545500, or
write to HSEs Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield
S3 7HQ.
HSE home page on the World Wide Web:
http://www.open.gov.uk/hse/hsehome.htm

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This leaflet contains notes on good practice which are not

compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what
you need to do.

This publication may be freely reproduced except for advertising,

endorsement or commercial purposes. The information is current at
1/00. Please acknowledge the source as HSE.
Printed and published by the Health and Safety Executive
INDG308 1/00

C150