Compressed Gas Tank Safety Plan

Purpose

It is the policy of the Community College of Rhode Island to permit only trained and authorized employees to handle, store, use, and inspect compressed gases and equipment. This policy is applicable to daily users and to those who only occasionally have cause to use the equipment.

This written Compressed Gas Plan describes methods and practices for care and use of compressed gases that can be read and understood by all managers, supervisors, and employees at the Community College of Rhode Island. This written plan must be used to:

Administrative Duties

Copies of this written Compressed Gas Plan are kept in the office of the Physical Plant Director, the Chemical Safety Coordinator and the Department of Safety and Security and Campus Police.

If, after reading this plan, you find that improvements can be made, please contact the Chemical Safety Coordinator or one of the Physical Plant Directors. We encourage all suggestions because we are committed to creating a safe workplace for all our employees, and a safe and effective compressed gas safety program is an important component of our overall safety plan. We strive for clear understanding, safe work practices, and involvement in the program from every level of the College.

Lists of Compressed Gases and Equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

We have assessed the hazards associated with the compressed gases and equipment at the Community College of Rhode Island and have taken measures to eliminate or reduce their presence with engineering and administrative controls. Where these controls were not enough for employee protection, CCRI provides all necessary personal protective equipment according to our personal protective equipment (PPE) program. Shatterproof safety goggles must be used whenever any connection is made or broken to a compressed gas cylinder or valve. Fabric or leather work gloves must be worn whenever a compressed gas cylinder is moved or transported.

Inspection Procedures

The Physical Plant Directors and the Chemical Safety Coordinator are qualified to determine that compressed gas cylinders are in a safe condition to the extent that can be determined by visual inspection. Inspections of cylinders are conducted quarterly.

Our inspections are conducted as prescribed by the following, as applicable:

If a cylinder is found to be unfit in its present condition, then the Physical Plant Directors or the Chemical Safety Coordinator must determine whether it can be repaired or must be. If a cylinder is repaired, it can only go back into service if the defect is corrected as specified according to the requirements listed above.

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Handling and Use Procedures

The primary responsibility for the proper handling and use of a compressed gas cylinder rests with the department in which it will be used. We follow the safe handling procedures found in the CGA pamphlet series, including the P-1-1991 pamphlet. All employees who handle and use compressed gases are required to:

Transport Procedures

The primary responsibility for the proper transporting of a compressed gas cylinder rests with the department in which it will be used. A hand truck is available in each maintenance area for transporting gas cylinders safely. We follow the safe storage procedures found in the CGA pamphlet series, including the P-1-1991 pamphlet. Our transport procedures for compressed gases include the following:

Storage Procedures

The primary responsibility for properly storing a compressed gas cylinder rests with the department in which it will be used. We follow the safe storage procedures found in the CGA pamphlet series, including the P-1-1991 pamphlet. Our storage procedures for compressed gases include the following:

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Usage Procedures

The primary responsibility for properly using a compressed gas cylinder rests with the department in which it will be used. We follow the safe usage procedures found in the CGA pamphlet series, including the P-1-1991 pamphlet. Our employees must follow these procedures for using compressed gases:

Compressed Gas Emergency Procedures

Refer to CCRI’s written Hazardous Substance Release Emergency Response Plan for employee escape procedures and assignments during a compressed gas emergency. View the Hazardous Substance/Hazardous Waste Release Contingency Plan. In case of an emergency involving compressed gases, CCRI employees are directed to leave the area immediately and notify the Department of Security and Safety and College Police. The Department of Security and Safety and College Police will evaluate the situation and decide what further action is necessary.

Training Program

The Physical Plant Directors and the Chemical Safety Coordinator are responsible for training personnel who will handle, store or use compressed gases. Under no circumstances will an employee handle, store, or use a compressed gas until he/she has successfully completed this company's compressed gas training program. This includes all new workers who will handle, store, and use compressed gases, regardless of claimed previous experience.

Individuals in the following departments may receive training: Biology, Central Stores, Chemistry, Respiratory Therapy, Clinical Laboratory Technology, Dental Health, Industrial Technology, Maintenance, Physics, Receiving, College Police.

The Personnel Department, the Physical Plant Directors and the Department chairs are responsible for identifying all new employees and making arrangements with department management to schedule the instruction for those employees previously identified in this policy as needing training.

General training elements include the following:

Recordkeeping

The Chemical Safety Coordinator is responsible for maintaining records of cylinder inspections and maintenance. These records are kept in the office of the Chemical Safety Coordinator.

The Chemical Safety Coordinator is responsible for maintaining records of individuals trained and certified for handling, storage, and use of compressed gases and equipment. These records are kept in the office of the Chemical Safety Coordinator.

Program Evaluation

Although we may not be able to eliminate all problems, we try to eliminate as many as possible to improve employee protection and encourage employee safe practices. Therefore, the Chemical Safety Coordinator is responsible for evaluating and updating this written plan. Written or verbal input from interested parties is encouraged and always welcome. The evaluation will include a review of reported accidents, as well as near misses, to identify areas where additional safety measures need to be taken.

The will also conduct a periodic review to determine the effectiveness of the program. This review may include:

See the Oklahoma State University webpage on compressed gas tank safety.

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