PURPOSE RESPONSIBILITY AUTHORITY T prvide guidelines fr the safe handling and use f cylinders All individuals handling and/r using 6 packs, 12 packs, maniflded, cradled r stand-alne cylinders Plant Manager Safe Handling f Cylinders (Insert Cmpany Name Here) Key Cnsideratins 1. Manual rlling and lifting f cylinders is discuraged if ther means r available. The use f hand carts, frklifts, pallet systems r similar material-handling devices are strngly encuraged. 2. If a cylinder is falling, DO NOT attempt t catch r stp its fall. 3. Always wear the prper persnal prtective equipment: Safety Glasses Leather r ther suitable glves Safety Shes Handling f Individual Cylinders 1. Manual rlling f cylinders shall be minimized as much as pssible t prevent lss f cntrl and pssible injury t emplyees. a. An adequate hand cart shuld be used fr mving cylinders distances f greater than 15 feet (4.6 m) fr imprved efficiency and safety. b. Hand carts shuld be easy t maneuver and designed such that the user has clear visin f the path f mvement. 2. Only apprved cylinder handling equipment shall be used fr the mvement f cylinders a. Apprved cylinder handling equipment includes, but is nt limited t the fllwing: Cylinder hand trucks f suitable design, size and strength Prtable liquid cylinder hand carts designed specifically fr this purpse Pallet jacks f suitable design and strength Frk lifts f suitable capacity fr expected lads (5-10-2011) Safe Handling f Cylinders GAWDA Safety Cmmittee These sample safety practices were develped by the GAWDA Safety Cmmittee. They are intended t be used by GAWDA member cmpanies t develp yur wn plicies fr safety practices. They are ffered as samples fr yur reference nly and are nt intended t represent the best r nly apprach t any particular issue. GAWDA makes n guarantee with regard t the accuracy, cmpleteness r suitability f any dcument, and the assciatin assumes n respnsibility r liability in cnnectin with the use r misuse f any material. 1
(5-10-2011) Safe Handling f Cylinders GAWDA Safety Cmmittee These sample safety practices were develped by the GAWDA Safety Cmmittee. They are intended t be used by GAWDA member cmpanies t develp yur wn plicies fr safety practices. They are ffered as samples fr yur reference nly and are nt intended t represent the best r nly apprach t any particular issue. GAWDA makes n guarantee with regard t the accuracy, cmpleteness r suitability f any dcument, and the assciatin assumes n respnsibility r liability in cnnectin with the use r misuse f any material. 2
3. Be alert and aware f the cnditins in the areas in which cylinders are t be mved: a. Debris r bjects in the path f cylinder mvement. b. Water, snw, ice r ther slippery cnditins. c. Uneven r irregular surfaces. d. Areas with ascending r descending surfaces. e. Inadequate aisle width (at least 36 inches is recmmended). 4. Never mve cylinders ver pwer crds. 5. Avid pinch pints when psitining cylinders n handling equipment fr mvement. 6. Ensure that cylinders equipped with prvisins fr prtective caps, have caps in place and tightened. 7. Avid drpping cylinders r allwing them t strike vilently against each ther, hwever, when mving cylinders, if cylinders start t fall, let them fall. a. Attempting t catch a falling cylinder may result in persnal injury. Handling Clusters r Prtable Banks 1. The mvement f clusters r prtable cylinder banks requires special cnsideratins because the cmbined weight f cylinders and framewrk can be in excess f 2000 lb (909 kg). 2. Whenever pssible, use mechanical means, including hists, frklifts, and cranes t mve clusters and prtable banks nt vehicles r within facilities. 3. When mechanical means is unavailable r impractical, use tw peple t mve clusters r prtable banks. a. When manually mving a cluster r prtable bank use these precautins t avid getting trapped by a mving cluster Push, NOT pull Always leave an exit rute 4. Never manually mve a cluster with damaged wheels. A cluster must have gd maneuverability t ensure safe mvement. 5. Avid rlling clusters r prtable banks ver dck plates r levelers when pssible. Handling Prtable Refrigerated Liquid Cylinders (5-10-2011) Safe Handling f Cylinders GAWDA Safety Cmmittee These sample safety practices were develped by the GAWDA Safety Cmmittee. They are intended t be used by GAWDA member cmpanies t develp yur wn plicies fr safety practices. They are ffered as samples fr yur reference nly and are nt intended t represent the best r nly apprach t any particular issue. GAWDA makes n guarantee with regard t the accuracy, cmpleteness r suitability f any dcument, and the assciatin assumes n respnsibility r liability in cnnectin with the use r misuse f any material. 3
1. The mvement f prtable refrigerated liquid cylinders requires special cnsideratins because the weight f a full cylinder can be in excess f 800 lb (364 kg). a. Excessive r rugh handling can damage the liquid cylinder. 2. Use nly apprved and specifically designed hand carts t mve prtable liquid cylinders 3. The minr repsitining r mvement f shrt distances f prtable refrigerated liquid cylinders is apprved withut the use f hand carts, such as the mvement nt and ff f scale equipment. 4. Liquid cylinders equipped with wheels are especially prne t tipping due t a high center f gravity. a. Whenever pssible, get assistance when mving full liquid cylinders equipped with wheels. b. When mving wheeled cntainers, travel slwly - these cntainers tend t be tp heavy. c. Never attempt t stp r catch a falling cntainer. Quickly mve clear f the cntainer, and let it fall. d. It is permissible fr ne persn t mve a wheeled cntainer n a flat surface. The upright, latched handle may be used t push the cntainer in frnt f the peratr. Pushing the cntainer in this manner keeps the cntainer in full view f the peratr at all times, lessens back strain frm pulling. and encurages emplyees t mve the cntainer slwly and carefully e. The mvement f a wheeled cntainer up r dwn a slpe, ver a rugh r bumpy surface r ridge may require tw peple. Whenever feasible, cnsider using tw peple, i.e., a c-wrker r custmer fr this task. As a general rule, the handler shuld be in an uphill psitin frm the cylinder. Recmmendatins n handling a wheeled cntainer n a slpe: Fllw a wheeled cntainer dwn a slpe. Pull a wheeled cntainer up a slpe If the cntainer were t tip, it wuld then fall away frm the peratr. f. Where there is a great difference in height between the dck and the vehicle bed, a frklift may be used when lading r unlading a wheeled cntainer. The liquid cntainer must be prperly secured with a strap arund the cntainer lifting eye and the frklift mast. (5-10-2011) Safe Handling f Cylinders GAWDA Safety Cmmittee These sample safety practices were develped by the GAWDA Safety Cmmittee. They are intended t be used by GAWDA member cmpanies t develp yur wn plicies fr safety practices. They are ffered as samples fr yur reference nly and are nt intended t represent the best r nly apprach t any particular issue. GAWDA makes n guarantee with regard t the accuracy, cmpleteness r suitability f any dcument, and the assciatin assumes n respnsibility r liability in cnnectin with the use r misuse f any material. 4
D nt use a frklift fr general liquid cntainer handling duties arund the plant flr, yard, etc. If nt prperly psitined and secured, the cntainer is subject t damage frm the frks. Lifting Cylinders 1. The manual lifting f cylinders shall be avided whenever pssible, hwever when necessary, specific lifting techniques are t be used t prevent injury t emplyees. 2. Psitin the cylinder clse t the bdy and ensure a firm grip. 3. Keep feet at apprximately shulder width. 4. Keep elbws tucked clse t the bdy. 5. Keep back straight and lift using leg strength. 6. Whenever pssible, ask fr assistance. 7. With pickup trucks, using the tail gate fr leverage and using the dck as leverage Pickup trucks 1. When lading r unlading frm a pickup t the grund, use the tailgate fr leverage. 2. When lading r unlading frm a pickup t the dck, use the dck fr leverage. Practices t Avid When Handling/Mving Cylinders 1. Use f Electric Magnets 2. Use f Slings (unless yu have specified prper slings and SOPs) 3. Use f cylinders as rllers t mve ther bjects (whether full r empty) 4. Lifting a cylinder by the valve prtectin cap, cllar, r ther valve prtectin device 5. Mving a cylinder that is designed t have valve prtectin withut the prtectin in place. (5-10-2011) Safe Handling f Cylinders GAWDA Safety Cmmittee These sample safety practices were develped by the GAWDA Safety Cmmittee. They are intended t be used by GAWDA member cmpanies t develp yur wn plicies fr safety practices. They are ffered as samples fr yur reference nly and are nt intended t represent the best r nly apprach t any particular issue. GAWDA makes n guarantee with regard t the accuracy, cmpleteness r suitability f any dcument, and the assciatin assumes n respnsibility r liability in cnnectin with the use r misuse f any material. 5