Standard
Operating
Procedure
for
Handling
Compressed
Gas
Cylinders
• Before
working
with
cylinders,
check
to
see
that
you
are
wearing
correct
personal
protective
equipment
(safety
glasses,
closed
toe
shoes,
clean,
dry
hands)
• All
cylinders
are
kept
in
the
hall
between
3069
and
3081.
Observe
designated
areas
for
full
and
empty
cylinders.
• All
cylinders
are
clearly
labeled
and
tagged
with
identification
numbers,
contents
label.
Moving
a
Cylinder
• Check
to
see
that
the
protective
cap
is
securely
screwed
to
the
top
of
the
cylinder.
Never
move
a
cylinder
without
its
cap,
even
short
distances.
• Unchain
the
cylinder
and
move
it
to
the
gas
cart.
REMEMBER
TO
RECHAIN
the
remaining
cylinders.
• Secure
the
cylinder
on
the
cart
with
the
chain.
Carefully
lower
the
cart
to
use
all
four
wheels.
Changing
a
Cylinder
• Ensure
the
regulator
on
the
tank
in
use
is
closed
and
properly
vented
of
residual
gases.
• Turn
off
the
tank
at
the
top
valve.
• Remove
the
regulator
by
carefully
and
slowly
loosening
the
connecting
adaptor
(clock-‐wise
for
non-‐flammable
gasses,
and
counter-‐clock-‐wise
for
flammable
gasses).
• Return
the
cylinder
cap
to
the
tank
and
ensure
it
is
properly
secured.
• Unchain
the
tank
and
move
it
away
from
the
chain.
• Carefully
exchange
the
tanks
by
turning
them.
DO
NOT
MOVE
TANKS
BY
ROLLING
THEM
ON
THEIR
EDGES!
• Ensure
both
tanks
are
properly
secured
at
the
bench
or
on
the
cart.
• Remove
the
cap,
fasten
the
regulator
to
the
tank,
using
a
wrench
to
ensure
the
regulator
is
properly
secure.
• Slowly
and
carefully
open
the
tank
valve
to
ensure
no
violent
movement
if
there
is
a
leak
at
the
regulator.
• Return
empty
tank
to
empty
tank
location,
remove
the
tag
to
read
“empty,”
inform
person
in
charge
of
cylinders
of
change
so
they
can
document
the
tank’s
departure.
ENSURE
ALL
TANKS
ARE
PROPERLY
CHAINED
at
empty
location.
Chain
extender
is
found
next
to
tank
cart
in
the
IR
room.