Publications

Every day EIGA members transport many thousands of cylinder packages. Recently EIGA’s Safety Advisory Council has received a number of reports of cylinders and cylinder bundles not being securely attached to the vehicle and then falling onto the road. This Safety Information has been issued to remind transporters of the requirements and precautions to be taken when transporting cylinders.

Nitrous oxide use as an intoxicating substance and recreational drug, is on the rise particularly at festivals, events and night clubs. The growing popularity may lie in the fact that nitrous oxide is relatively cheap and easy to obtain. Nitrous oxide may appear harmless but can entail serious health risks. This safety information outlines some of those significant risks. EIGA strongly disapproves of the personal use of gases without medical surveillance and, in particular, disapproves the inhalation of any gases, except those when prescribed and used as medicines, or when specifically produced, sold and used for breathing applications such as diving.

EIGA members have recently reported several incidents with carbon dioxide cylinder packages, including both single cylinders and bundles of cylinders. The bursting of the cylinder is caused in most cases due to overfilling, in particular for small cylinder sizes, typically less than 5 litres. This publication lists practices which should avoid the burst of a cylinder.

Working at height is a common type of activity in the gas industry and many different hazards have been identified for working at height. EIGA wants to raise awareness of the specific risk of suspension trauma which may be less understood and consequently underestimated. In the gas industry, suspension trauma is most likely to occur when a person working at height and using a harness accidentally falls and is left motionless, suspended by the harness for a period of time. This Safety Information is intended to raise awareness, to all those involved in the planning and execution of working at heights when using fall arrest systems, of how suspension trauma can occur while people are suspended following a fall and provides guidance on signs and symptoms. The document also outlines recommendations for preventing suspension trauma, as well as recommendations for worker training and rescue.

The Safety Information summarises a number of recommendations regarding material selections, cleanliness, management of suppliers and a number of operational considerations that are covered in EIGA Doc 200 in detail. This edition of Safety Information 33 is intended as a reminder that EIGA Doc 200 should be consulted by those who are involved with the design, specification and maintenance of air separation plants.

EIGA’s position is that electronic cigarettes shall not be used or charged in the vicinity of a patient undergoing oxygen therapy or the oxygen source itself

Air supplied breathing apparatus are a form of Respiratory Protective Equipment used in various hazardous atmosphere environments. If used correctly, they can be relied on to protect personnel from both acute and chronic effects. This Safety Information contain recommendations for safe use of air supplied breathing apparatus.

Within the Industrial Gases industry we are very familiar with the hazards of gases including pressure and the physical state. Whilst it is understood that we need electricity to enable the industrial gases industry to function, the potential hazards of electricity may be less well understood. The purpose of this Safety Information is to highlight the hazards and to give guidance on how those in the gases industry should approach electricity. This guidance is intended to be applicable to all electrical installations ranging from offices to high voltage installations on air separation units.

EIGA is concerned that sufficient guidance is provided on the hazard to people in relation to oxygen deficient atmospheres, the importance of control systems to provide a safe atmosphere and also the health assessment and related controls required to ensure people occupying these spaces are safe. This information sheet is intended to raise awareness of the asphyxiation risks associated with these systems and does not address the question of fire suppression effectiveness of these systems or other aspects of the design, installation, operation and maintenance of these systems. This information sheet is intended for manufacturers of oxygen reduction systems and/or suppliers of nitrogen who should ensure that their own organisations as well as their customers are aware of this Safety Information sheet and the EIGA documents on asphyxiation risks and the hazards of inert gases, to determine and implement safety measures to ensure hazards are reduced.

EIGA’s Safety Advisory Council has been notified of an incident where a driver of a carbon dioxide road tanker sustained very serious head injuries that endangered his life. This accident was similar to other recent incidents that have caused the death of drivers while loading and unloading carbon dioxide. In all of these accidents it was found that the failure to follow procedures or lack of procedures had been the main cause. This Safety Information document is intended to raise awareness of these serious incidents and to provide basic recommendations and guidelines to prevent similar events taking place in the future.