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ES&H Manual
Chapter 6150 Gas Cylinder Safety - Storage, Movement, and Labeling
Purpose
This document, and its associated appendices, defines Jefferson Lab's requirements related to gas cylinders, tanks, and dewars (cylinders) storage, movement, and labeling.

Jefferson Lab bases the requirements for gas cylinders on applicable federal, state, and local requirements listed in ES&H Manual Chapter 2410 Appendix T1 Hazard Issues List.

Scope
Jefferson Lab has determined that the contents of gas cylinders, be it compressed, liquefied, and solidified, are covered under ES&H Manual Chapters respectively:

This chapter does not address the additional requirements assigned to gas used in experiments (see ES&H Manual Supplement Use of Flammable Gases in Physics Experiments, ES&H Manual Chapter 3120 The CEBAF Experiment Review Process and/or ES&H Manual Chapter 3130 The FEL Experiment Review Process), manifolds, or gas distribution systems.

NOTE: Many gases pose an oxygen deficiency hazard (ODH). At a minimum a current "ODH Safety Review" is required when an ODH source is introduced, increased, or recognized to be, in an area. (See ES&H Manual Chapter 6540 Appendix T1 Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) Safety Review for more information.

NOTE: Jefferson Lab work area(s) are not equipped, nor are staff trained to fill Department of Transportation (DOT) cylinders. If such a task is necessary, contact the Technical Point of Contact for alternative solutions.


If you suspect that you have been over-exposed to a gas, contact Occupational Medicine (ext 7539). Confirmed reports of gas overexposure are investigated in accordance with ES&H Manual Chapter 5200 Event Investigation and Causal Analysis Process and its associated procedures.


Expectations:

Storage
The contents of gas cylinders, tanks, and dewars (cylinders) are divided into hazard classes according to their characteristics and likely reaction to other materials. Correct identification of a gas' hazard class is essential in providing appropriate storage safeguards. ES&H Manual Chapter 6150 Appendix T1 Gas Cylinder Storage provides the hazard categories and minimum safety requirements for storage of gas cylinders used at Jefferson Lab.
Movement
Jefferson Lab recognizes the inherent risks of moving gas cylinders, tanks, and dewars (cylinders) from a building storage area to a location within that building. ES&H Manual Chapter 6150 Appendix T2 Moving Gas Cylinders from Building Storage to Work Area provides Jefferson Lab's minimum requirements for performing this operation.
Labeling
Gas cylinders, tanks, and dewars (cylinders) used at Jefferson Lab are labeled to ensure safety. ES&H Manual Chapter 6150 Appendix T3 Gas Cylinder Labeling describes Jefferson Lab's minimum requirement for labeling of cylinders.
Flammable Gases used in Physics Experiments
The use of flammable gases used in physics experiments may present unique requirements. Special review and consideration is provided by the Physics Division Experimental ES&H Review Committee (E2RC) or by an independent reviewer appointed by the committee. Requirements are outlined within the ES&H Manual Supplement Use of Flammable Gases in Physics Experiments.


Supplemental Material:

References
Responsibilities:

Note: Management authority may be delegated to a task qualified Jefferson Lab employee at the discretion of the responsible manager.

Anyone at Jefferson Lab
  • Identify and abide by gas' hazard class and safety requirements
  • Move gas cylinders in accordance with this procedure.
  • Label gas cylinder. Ensure labels are accurate and legible.
  • Contact Industrial Hygiene for a hazard evaluation if a new gas, or a significantly changed procedure is to be used.
Supervisor/Technical Representative (TR)/Sponsor
  • Ensure cylinder storage area is secure and adequate for gas hazard category(s).
  • Ensure cylinders are properly labeled.
Industrial Hygiene
  • Perform hazard evaluations and approve areas for specific gas use and storage, as requested.
  • Provide safety labels and signs, as required/requested.
Document Control:
  • ISSUING AUTHORITY:   ES&H Division
    TECHNICAL POINT-OF-CONTACT:  Tim Minga
    APPROVAL DATE:   08/27/2020
    REVIEW DATE:  08/27/2025
    REVISION HISTORY
    Revision 2.2 - 08/27/2020 - Periodic Review; Updated TPOC from T.Menefee to T.Minga, Updated division, header and footer, did not change the approval date. Updated expiration date to 5 year term.
    Revision 2.1 - 02/13/18 - Updated TPOC from T.Minga to T.Menefee; clarified that DOT cylinders were not to be filled by staff on site re: CATS #MOA-2015-03-02-01.
    Revision 2.0 - 08/03/15 - Periodic Review: Chapter formerly titled 'Compressed, Liquefied, and Solidified Gas Program'; Clarified that the contents of gas cylinders are considered chemicals or hazardous material thus covered under a variety of other ES&H Manual Chapters; safety training table not required for this revision.
    Revision 1.1 - 05/20/14 - Added Required Safety Training Table.
    Revision 1.0 - 06/15/211 - Updated to reflect current laboratory operations.
    - Moved ES&H Manual Chapter 6152 Storage/Use of Flammable Gases and associated appendices to the ES&H Manual Supplement Use of Flammable Gases in Physics Experiments.

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