Anyone who has done any audits knows this question carries a lot of weight, since cylinders “in use” have different safety requirements versus cylinders that are “in storage”. The great safety folks at OR-OSHA have provided a really nice flow chart we can use to establish the state the cylinder is in so that the proper safety rules can be applied to it. And yes, these rules are ONLY enforceable in the state of Oregon, but wow what a nice tool we can use in any workplace – even though OR-OSHA is years ahead of Federal OSHA in their compressed gas safety standards!
I would also like to mention that OR-OSHA has also re-defined how cylinders of flammables and oxidizers can be “separated” by means other than 20′ separation. Noncombustible barriers modified or constructed after May 1, 2015, must meet the following additional minimum requirements:
- Extend vertically a minimum of 18 inches above the tallest cylinder and be at least 5 feet high.
- Extend horizontally a minimum of 18 inches beyond the side of the cylinders
Another nice feature of OAR 437-002-2253437-002-2253 is that it is written like a safety procedure and NOT a typical OSHA standard. In fact, if one was so inclined, he/she could make some simple modifications to this document and it would be a really nice start on a facility compressed gas safety program (Hint).
CLICK HERE (pdf) to get the FACT SHEET.