Gases and cylinders

Overview
Training
Risk assessments
More information

Overview

Safe use of gas cylinders: rules and working practices to be followed
Hazardous properties of gases
Gas cylinder check procedures (PDF , 15kb)
Training records of gas cylinder users (PDF , 17kb)
Gas leakage and effect on oxygen concentration: Example calculations
University Compressed Gas Cylinder Policy (PDF , 925kb)

Training

All Biology laboratory workers must receive gas cylinder training. This includes:

A recorded theory session, available on the 'Biology Safety Training' VLE site, covering:

hazardous properties of gases
risks associated with the use of gas cylinders
safe transport of cylinders
safe handling of cylinders
1 and 2 stage regulators and how they work
emergency scenario in the event of a leak

A practical hands-on-session covering the safe handling & transport of cylinders, connecting a regulator to a cylinder.

Practical sessions are organised throughout the year and advertised via email. Book a slot for currently available sessions, or add your name to the waiting list.

The above training must be supplemented by 'local on-the-job training' on the use of specific cylinders and systems within the local lab facility, provided by an experienced local user of gas cylinders. Local training needs to be recorded.

Risk assessments

The following generic assessments have been prepared to cover the majority of activities using compressed gas cylinders in the Department:

Generic assessment for the transport, storage & use of compressed gas cylinders (PDF , 88kb)
Generic assessment for use of flammable, explosive & toxic gases (PDF , 122kb)

It is the responsibility of groups to ensure that either, or both of these assessments is / are appropriate for their particular work activities involving the use of compressed gas cylinders. The assessments can be modified, if required, to reflect any specific local information and / or working practices. Assessments should be downloaded and kept locally within each group for information and training purposes.

A Risk assessment template for use of gas cylinders (MS Word , 74kb) is also available if required.

More information

HSE Guidance
BOC Safety Data Sheets
Gas Safety UK
Oklahoma State University