Receiving
Cylinders
Personnel
responsible for receiving cylinders and containers should perform
an external inspection on all packages before moving them to
the point of use or to the storage area. Basic guidelines for
performing this inspection are as follows:
- Read
the cylinder labels to be sure that the gas is what you ordered
and that you understand the hazards associated with the product.
Remember, the label is the only means of identifying the product
in the cylinder. Never identify the product by the color of
the cylinder.
- Thoroughly
inspect the cylinders for any obvious damage. The cylinder
surface should be clean and free from defects such as cuts,
gouges, burns and obvious dents. Such damage could weaken
the cylinder metal, creating a danger of failure, or it could
make the cylinder unstable and more likely to tip over. Make
sure the cylinder stands steady on its base and does not wobble.
- Cylinders
with neck threads should have a cap in place over its valve.
Remove the cap by hand. Never use a screwdriver, crowbar,
or other leverage device to remove the cap. You could accidentally
open the valve or damage it.
- Check
the cylinder valve to be sure it is not bent or damaged. A
damaged valve could leak or fail, or it might not make a tight
connection when the cylinder is placed into use. Make sure
there is no dirt or oil on the valve which could contaminate
the gas. Dirt particles propelled in a high velocity gas stream
could cause a spark, igniting a flammable gas. Oil and grease
can react with oxygen and other oxidizers, causing an explosion.
- If any
cylinder is received with missing or unreadable labels and
markings; visible damage; unstable base; missing cap; or bent,
damaged or dirty valve, do not use the cylinder. Always return
the cylinder to the supplier if problems exist.
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