Page 416 - Praxair - Specialty Gases and Equipment Reference Guide

General Safety Information

Safety Data Sheets n Check the TC/DOT cylinder markings to be sure you
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) formerly known as a Material understand the pressures contained in the cylinders.
Safety Data Sheet lists the characteristics and hazards of a n Thoroughly inspect the cylinders for any obvious dam-
specific hazardous industrial material. SDSs tell how to han- age. The cylinder surface should be clean and free from
dle, store, and ship the material safely and in accordance defects such as cuts, gouges, burns and obvious dents.
with regulations. They also give emergency and first aid Such damage could weaken the cylinder metal, creating
procedures for dealing with injuries, fires, leaks, spills, and a danger of failure, or it could make the cylinder unstable
other incidents involving the material. Praxair SDSs provide and more likely to tip over. Make sure the cylinder stands
additional information such as ratings under various hazard steady on its base and does not wobble.
identification systems, listing by certain states, and valve n Cylinders with neck threads should have a cap in place
connection data. over the valve. Remove the cap by hand. Never use
Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, a screw driver, crowbar, or other leverage device to
manufacturers of hazardous materials must prepare and remove the cap. You could accidentally open the valve
make available an SDS for each hazardous material sold. or damage it.
In addition, those purchasing these materials must maintain n Check the cylinder valve to be sure it is not bent or
a file of SDSs in the work place so they are available to their damaged. A damaged valve could leak or fail, or it might
employees. not make a tight connection when the cylinder is placed
Precautionary information on the safe handling of gases into use. Make sure the valve is free of dirt and oil, which
listed in this catalog is provided on Safety Data Sheets could contaminate the gas. Dirt particles propelled in a
(SDS), which are issued to customers for each product sold. high-velocity gas stream could cause a spark, igniting a
We strongly urge you to read and thoroughly understand flammable gas. Oil and grease can react with oxygen and
the information contained in the applicable SDS before other oxidizers, causing an explosion.
using any of the gases in this catalog. n If any cylinder is received with missing or unreadable
Copies of SDS’s can be obtained thru your Sales Repre- labels and markings; visible damage; an unstable base;
sentative, by calling Praxair at 1-800-PRAXAIR or visiting a missing cap; or a bent, damaged, or dirty valve, do
our website at www.praxair.com/resource-library/sds. not use the cylinder. Contact your supplier and ask for
instructions.
Personal Protective Equipment
The type of personal protective equipment required at Testing for Leaks
a particular location depends on the products handled After completing the external inspection, proceed as follows:
at that location. For personal protective equipment n Test the cylinder valve for leaks using the leak test
recommendations, read the SDS for each product handled method approved by your employer. If you detect
at your location. Personal protective equipment, available leakage, follow your employer’s procedures for handling
from local safety equipment suppliers, should be selected leaking cylinders.
in accordance with standards established by OSHA Note: It is normal for cryogenic liquid containers to vent
or NIOSH. through their relief valves to relieve excess pressure build
up due to heat. This venting is not a leak.
Receiving Cylinders and Containers
n If no leakage is detected, secure the cylinder valve cap in
External Inspection place before moving the cylinder to the point of use or
Personnel responsible for receiving cylinders and containers to the storage area.
should perform an external inspection on all packages be-
fore moving them to the point of use or to the storage area.
Basic guidelines for performing this inspection are
as follows:
n Read the cylinder labels to be sure that the gas is what Section F – Safety Information
you ordered and that you understand the hazards
associated with the product. Remember, the label is the
only means of identifying the product in the cylinder.
Never identify the product by the color of the cylinder.

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