With any gas leak Oxygen or not the following is always true in safety
DO NOT switch on or off any electrical appliances.
DO NOT smoke
DO NOT use naked flames
DO NOT use intercoms or door entry systems – they can cause sparks
DO NOT use a phone in the property – it can cause sparks.
DO NOT use mobile phones
DO NOT flick any electrical switches – they can cause sparks
DO open windows and doors to allow the gas to disperse
DO turn off gas at the meter
Oxygen gas in cylinders is used by many people at work and sometimes at home. It is used:
in welding, flame cutting and other similar pr ocesses;
for helping people with breathing difficulties;
in hyperbaric chambers as a medical tr eatment;
in decompression chambers for people who work in compr essed air or in deepsea diving;
for food preservation and packaging;
in steelworks and chemical plants.
The air we breathe contains about 21% oxygen. W ithout oxygen we would die in a matter of minutes. It may be har d to believe, but oxygen can also be danger ous. The dangers are fire and explosion.
Oxygen gas is colorless, odorless, non-toxic cryogenic liquid or colorless, odorless, oxidizing gas.
Contact with oxygen liquid, its cold vapors or cold piping can cause frostbite and cryogenic burns to exposed tissue. Liquid releases will quickly vaporize to gas.
The chief physical hazard associated with releases of the gas is its oxidizing power which can greatly accelerate the burning rate for both common and exotic combustible materials. Emergency personnel must practice extreme caution when approaching oxygen releases because of the potential for intense fire.
The primary health hazard at atmospheric pressure is respiratory system irritation after exposure to high oxygen concentrations. Maintain oxygen levels in air above 19.5% and below 23.5%. While up to 50% oxygen can be breathed for more than 24 hours without adverse effects, high concentrations in open air accelerate combustion and increase the risk of fire and explosion of combustible or flammable materials.
Effects of acute exposure
Eye contact: Can cause frostbite (liquid form).
No adverse effects from gas.
Skin contact: Can cause frostbite (liquid form).
No adverse effects from gas.
Inhalation: May cause breathing difficulty.
Prolonged exposure to high oxygen levels (>75%) can cause central nervous system depression: signs/symptoms can include headache, dizziness, drowsiness, poor coordination, slowed reaction time, slurred speech, giddiness and unconsciousness.
May cause coughing and chest pain.
May cause lung damage.
May cause soreness of the throat.
Ingestion: Not a likely route of exposure.
Effects of chronic exposure: None known.
Reproductive effects: Oxygen deficiency during pregnancy has produced developmental abnormalities in humans and experimental animals.
Skin contact: Remove contaminated clothing.
Treat for frostbite if necessary by gently warming affected areas.
Consult a physician.
Eye contact: Immediately flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.
Consult an ophthalmologist.
Inhalation: RESCUERS SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO RETRIEVE VICTIMS OF EXPOSURE TO THIS PRODUCT WITHOUT ADEQUATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. At a minimum, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus should be worn.
Remove victim(s) to fresh air, as quickly as possible. If not breathing qualified personnel should administer artificial respiration. Get medical attention.
IKeep person warm and at rest.
Ingestion: No first aid should be needed.
Not considered a potential route of exposure.
Flammability: Oxidizer.
Conditions of flammability: Contact with flammable materials.
Vigorously accelerates combustion.
Extinguishing media: Use appropriate extinguishing media for surrounding fire.
Special procedures: Self-contained breathing apparatus required.
Firefighters should wear the usual protective gear.
Cool fire exposed containers with water spray.
Personnel should be evacuated, if necessary, to upwind area.
Remove containers from fire area if without risk.
Sensitivity to mechanical impact: Avoid impact against container.
Explosive power: Closed containers may rupture or explode due to pressure build-up when exposed to extreme heat.
Leak/Spill: Evacuate all non-essential personnel.
Stop leak without risk.
Keep combustible materials away from spill.
Ventilate. Eliminate all sources of ignition.
Allow to evaporate to atmosphere.
Do not walk on or roll equipment over the spill
Wear gloves and goggles
Ventilate area. Monitor the surrounding area for Oxygen level.
Handling procedures and equipment: Never allow any unprotected part of the body to touch uninsulated pipes or vessels that contain cold fluids. The extremely cold metal of the container will cause moist flesh to stick fast and tear when one attempts to withdraw from it.
Protect system components against physical damage. Check all hoses and transfer equipment before filling them with the liquid. Replace any worn or cut hoses prior to use.
Liquid Oxygen is extremely cold and is under pressure. A complete hose failure can result in a large release of Oxygen and violent movement of the hose and associated equipment, which may cause severe injury or death. Special care must be taken when depressurizing and disconnecting hoses.
Use adequate ventilation.
Avoid inhalation.
Never work on a pressurized system.
If there is a leak, close the upstream valve, blow down the system by venting to a safe place, then repair the leak.
For bulk liquid shipments
Oxygen, refrigerated liquid
UN 1073
Class 2.2 (Non-Flammable Gas) with subsidiary risk 5.1 (Oxidizer)
Oxygen behaves differently to air, compressed air, nitrogen and other inert gases. It is very reactive. Pure oxygen, at high pressure, such as from a cylinder, can react violently with common materials such as oil and gr ease. Other materials may catch fire spontaneously. Nearly all materials including textiles, rubber and even metals will burn vigorously in oxygen.
Even a small increase in the oxygen level in the air to 24% can cr eate a dangerous situation. It becomes easier to start a fir e, which will then bur n hotter and more fiercely than in normal air. It may be almost impossible to put the fir e out. A leaking valve or hose in a poorly ventilated r oom or confined space can quickly incr ease the oxygen concentration to a danger ous level.
The main causes of fires and explosions when using oxygen ar e:
❋ oxygen enrichment from leaking equipment;
use of materials not compatible with oxygen;
use of oxygen in equipment not designed for oxygen service;
incorrect or careless operation of oxygen equipment.
Risk assessment
Employers are legally required to assess the risks in the workplace, and take all reasonably practicable precautions to ensure the safety of workers and members of the public. A careful examination of the risks fr om using oxygen should be included in the risk assessment.
Beware of oxygen enrichment
Oxygen enrichment is the term often used to describe situations where the oxygen level is greater than in air. Oxygen is colourless, odourless and tasteless. The presence of an oxygen enriched atmosphere cannot be easily detected by the human senses.
The main danger to people from an oxygen enriched atmosphere is that clothing or hair can easily catch fire, causing serious or even fatal burns. For example, people can easily set their clothing and bedding on fire by smoking while receiving oxygen treatment for breathing difficulties.
Smoking should be forbidden where oxygen is being used.
Oxygen enrichment is often the result of:
leaks from damaged or poorly maintained hoses, pipes and valves;
leaks from poor connections;❋ opening valves deliberately or accidentally;
not closing valves properly after use;
using an excess of oxygen in welding, flame cutting ora similar process;
poor ventilation where oxygen is being used.
Consequently, the main ways to prevent oxygen enrichment are to keep oxygen equipment in good condition and to take care when using it. Good ventilation will also reduce the risk of oxygen enrichment.
Oxygen enrichment can also result from the misuse of oxygen. Never use oxygen for:
cooling or refreshing the air in confined spaces;
dusting benches, machinery or clothing.
If oxygen enrichment from an oxygen leak is suspected, the oxygen supply should be turned off. Cigarettes and open flames should be extinguished. The room should be well ventilated and the source of the leak identified and repaired. It is possible that oxygen may contaminate any clothing in the area. If this is suspected, the clothing should preferably be removed and taken outside for airing and ventilating.
Confined spaces
Some of the most serious oxygenrelated incidents have involved damaged oxygen hoses leaking into confined spaces, where welding and burning operations were taking place. The workers’ oxygen enriched clothing caught fire, causing serious or fatal injuries.
Gas cylinders should not be taken into confined spaces; the gas can be fed in by using hoses. The hoses should be removed from the confined space when work is finished or suspended, such as at the end of each day. Where this is not practicable, the hoses should be disconnected from the gas supply at the cylinder or manifold.
Where the risk from oxygen enrichment is high, such as in a confined space or a poorly ventilated room, the use of oxygen monitoring equipment is advisable.
Never use materials incompatible with oxygen
Some materials react explosively if they come into contact with pure oxygen at high pressure. Other materials may catch fire spontaneously. Such materials are incompatible with oxygen.
Equipment designed for oxygen service is made from materials and components that have been tested and proved to be compatible, and are safe for the purpose. The reasons for a particular design and choice of material are not always obvious. Using substitute materials or components, which appear to be similar but are not proven to be oxygen compatible, is extremely dangerous and has caused many accidents.
You need to take care when replacing:
Orings and gaskets
There are hundreds of different types of rubber and elastomer, and most are not compatible with oxygen.
Metal components
Many metals and alloys are not suitable for use with oxygen.
Never use oxygen in equipment not designed for it
Many serious accidents have been caused by using oxygen instead of other gases such as air, compressed air or nitrogen. Oxygen can react explosively with oils and greases. People have been injured or even killed when pumps, engines, tyres and pressure equipment have been blown apart by the explosion. Oxygen can also cause other materials to ignite spontaneously. The resulting fire can cause damage to equipment and injury to people.
You should never use oxygen for:
driving pneumatic tools;
inflating vehicle tyres;
pressurising and purging systems;
replacing air or inert gas;
starting diesel engines.
Oxygen must not be introduced into any equipment unless it has been designed for oxygen service by competent people with specialist knowledge.
Take care with oxygen cylinders and equipment
If oxygen cylinders and equipment are used carelessly or incorrectly, then a fire may result. All users of oxygen should know and understand the dangers, and should receive training in the use of oxygen equipment.
There are a number of precautions to follow when using oxygen equipment.
Oxygen cylinders
You should always:
handle oxygen cylinders carefully. Use a purposebuilt trolley to move them;
keep cylinders chained or clamped to prevent them from falling over;
store oxygen cylinders when not in use in a wellventilated storage area or compound, away from combustible materials and separated from cylinders of flammable gas.
Oxygen equipment
You should always:
❋ open the valve slowly. Rapid opening, particularly of cylinder valves, can result in momentarily high oxygen velocities. Any particles will be pushed through the system very quickly, causing frictional heat. Alternatively, if the system has a dead end such as where a pressure regulator is connected to an oxygen cylinder, heat can be generated through compression of the oxygen. Both cases can result in a fire;
ensure that the pressure adjusting screw of the pressure regulator is fully unwound, so that the regulator outlet valve is closed before opening the oxygen cylinder valve, particularly when opening the cylinder valve for the first time after changing cylinders;
ensure that cylinder valves are closed and piped supplies isolated whenever work is stopped. Do not try to cut off the supply of oxygen by nipping or kinking flexible hose when changing equipment, eg blowpipes;
maintain hoses and other equipment in good condition. Leak tests can be carried out easily using a proprietary spray or liquid solution that is certified for use on oxygen systems. Soap or liquids that may contain grease should not be used.
Cleanliness
You should always:
keep oxygen equipment clean. Contamination by particulate matter, dust, sand, oils, greases or general atmospheric debris is a potential fire hazard. Portable equipment is particularly susceptible to contamination, and precautions should be taken to keep it clean;
use clean hands or gloves when assembling oxygen equipment, eg attaching the pressure regulator, making connections;
wear suitable clean clothing, free from oil and easily combustible contaminants.
General precautions
You should always:
ensure that ventilation is adequate;
check that fire extinguishers are in good condition and ready for use;
check that escape routes are clear.
The Hazard Potential for Oxygen
Pure oxygen does not burn itself but makes fires burn faster and hotter. To prevent the enhanced fire situation, any location where oxygen is stored or used must be relatively free of flammable and combustible items. Examples of these materials include alcohols, solvents, petroleum products, and papers. Open flames, sparks, or high heat from smoking items, radiant heaters, and certain appliances must be controlled. The highest safe temperature for the oxygen tank and accessories is 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Oxygen Leaks and Corrective Actions
The quantity of oxygen that might leak from a system may range from extremely low up to an emergency situation. Leaks can occur from O-rings connections, the valve packing, in blenders, or from the oxygen supply tubes used. The relative hazard rating and the appropriate action at SMH is:
Non-detectable leaks:
This type of leak is normally not detectable (no hissing sound). These leaks may be the result of a failure in the O-ring or other connections. The quantity of oxygen released into the room is less than what might be used by a patient. The general ventilation will adequately remove the excessive oxygen to prevent an enriched atmosphere of oxygen. These problems are repaired during routine maintenance activities.
The following is a great link for training cut and paste into your search engine
http://asiaiga.org <link updated to site home>
Again some Summary of advice
1 Be aware of the dangers of oxygen if in doubt, ask. ✑ 2 Prevent oxygen enrichment by ensuring that equipment is leak tight and in good working order. ✑
3 Check that ventilation is adequate. ✑
4 Always use oxygen cylinders and equipment carefully and correctly. ✑
5 Always open oxygen cylinder valves slowly. ✑
1 Do not smoke where oxygen is being used. ✕
2 Never use replacement parts which have not been specifically approved for oxygen service.
3 Never use oxygen equipment above the pressures certified by the manufacturer. ✕
4 Never use oil or grease to lubricate oxygen equipment. ✕
5 Never use oxygen in equipment which is not designed for oxygen service.