"Under Pressure" Cylinder Safety

Having just received a video from a colleague showing the devastating effect of an unsecured gas cylinder falling over and 'firing off' under released pressure, I have to say it has always been a concern for me during my work as a Firefighter and a Safety guy.

I felt the video I received would be inappropriate for this blog so I sourced this video from the internet but it does give a good representation of the sheer power generated when the cylinder valve is disturbed or fully removed during an incident. In close confined areas, especially cylinder stores the effects could be devastating.

Depending on where I have worked 'often' dictates the levels of respect shown to gas cylinders and I have sometimes struggled to engage responsible parties to take a more appropriate care.

Please click the link for advice and guidance and help to mitigate an incident where you work http://www.hse.gov.uk/comah/sragtech/techmeascylinder.htm

'Safety is never a compromise'