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Gas Cylinder Safety - Storage and Use

Bar and Cellar Safety

Find out about dispense gas safety in hospitality businesses - general safety advice about storage and use.

Storage

  • Store gas cylinders in a ventilated and well lit area away from combustible materials.

  • Separate gases by type and store in assigned locations that can be readily identified.

  • While in storage, cylinder valve protection caps MUST be firmly in place.

  • Empty cylinders should be stored separately and identified with clear markings.

  • Return empty cylinders promptly.

Use

  • Use a reputable supplier.

  • Never throw or drop a cylinder.

  • If a cylinder’s contents are not clearly identified by the proper cylinder markings labels, do NOT accept for use.

  • Arrange the cylinder storage area so that old stock is used first.

  • Safety glasses, gloves and safety shoes must be worn at all times when handling cylinders.

  • Carbon dioxide gas that leaks into an eyeball can cause serious damage, so seek immediate medical advice if this occurs.

  • Always move cylinders by hand trucks or carts that are designed for this purpose. During transportation, keep both hands on the cylinder cart and secure cylinders properly to prevent them from falling, dropping or striking each other. Never use a cylinder cart without a chain or transport a gas cylinder without its valve protection cap firmly in place.

  • When a cylinder is in use, it must be secured with some form of fastener. The same standard applied to empty cylinders. Floor or wall brackets/chains are ideal for stationary use. Try and secure through the handles.

  • pdf
  • Bar and Cellar Safety - Dispense Gas Cylinder Test Date Rings [pdf / 63KB] By law, all dispense gas cylinders have to be regularly inspected and tested to ensure they continue to be totally safe for the high pressures contained inside them. Every cylinder should have a coloured ring attached to the valve indicating when it is due for removal and testing by the gas provider. This is routinely changed every 10 years. The table in this document indicates when the cylinder should be tested by law.