Gas Safety (Compressed Gas and Gas Cylinders)
Compressed gases, cylinders and associated systems are used widely throughout QMUL including laboratories, workshops, plant rooms and infrastructure equipment, clinical spaces, catering outlets or during maintenance or construction activities. Compressed gas systems may also be used in fieldwork situations (e.g. diving) and in emergency rescue situations.
Compressed gases, cylinders and associated systems (e.g. delivery pipework) are beneficial to QMUL and are valuable tools for research, teaching and other activities, but as they involve gases under pressure, deplete oxygen in confined spaces and in some cases have hazardous properties (e.g. toxicity, flammability) they must be safely handled and managed to prevent harm and injury.
The consequences of leaks or releases will depend on the hazardous nature of the gas but in general they are:
- explosion e.g. release of flammable gas can create an explosive atmosphere
- enrichment e.g. increase of carbon dioxide can result in asphyxiation (particularly in confined spaces)
- depletion e.g. increase of nitrogen leading to a decrease in oxygen leading to asphyxiation (particularly in confined spaces)
In addition, the cylinder or system containing or delivering the compressed gas may be involved in
- a blast of compressed gas, container / cylinder or other debris resulting in impact injuries
- introduce body contact with the released gas or fluid (e.g. resulting in acute health effects such as toxicity or damage to organs)
- impact or manual handling injuries (e.g. whilst handling compressed gas cylinders unsafely)
These are detailed further in the topic Health and Safety Policy and include
- Establishing safest location, design and installation of compressed gas systems
- Selecting the safest type of compressed gas delivery system
- Design and ‘in use’ risk assessments, safety data sheets
- Written Schemes of Examination and statutory records
- Hazard and gas cylinder identification signage, tags, expiry date information
- Checks, inspections and audits to ensure compliance with regulations and standards
- Roles identified and responsibilities allocated for safe use and management
- Gas sensors and alarm / warning devices
- Establishing safe working procedures for users and for those maintaining the systems
- Permit to work or authorisation system for servicing, repair and maintenance
- Removal of unsafe compressed gas systems
- Information, Training and Supervision for users
- Hazard and warning signage
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Emergency procedures and shut off systems.
Compressed Gas Cylinders Policy [PDF 1,431KB]
Estates Management & Arrangements Procedure (EMAP) documents at http://qm-web.estates.qmul.ac.uk/hs/ - EMAPs 31 and 51
Health and Safety Executive https://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/hsg139.pdf
British Compressed Gas Association (BCGA) Publications
QMUL H&S
Contact the H&S Manager / Advisor for your Faculty / PS or the subject lead at http://www.hsd.qmul.ac.uk/contact-us/
All H&S staff can be contacted via the help desk at hs-helpdesk@qmul.ac.uk
BOC
For operational assistance with compressed gases and systems at QMUL, contact: Alan Morias – On site BOC Customer Manager for QMUL - Phone 020 8981 1567 or Mobile 07385 361436
(See Appendix 8 of QMUL policy for detailed procedures for major or minor incidents)
Evacuate area
From a safe place, phone the QMUL Emergency Number 0207 882 3333
State location and nature of incident
Ask for immediate response by the Fire Brigade and First Aid / Medical Assistance (if person/s are injured or harmed).
Do not re-enter area until declared safe to do so by the responsible person
