- Implement appropriate controls for the long-term safety of the operation.
- Use compressed gas system components in accordance with the limits and specifications of the cylinder, system, and component manufacturer or designer.
- Wear safety glasses when pressurizing or working on compressed gas systems.
- Shut off cylinders that are not in use and place a cylinder cap on any cylinder that is in storage or is not in use.
- Keep outlet caps on the valve outlets at all times except when connected to dispensing equipment, if such devices are provided.
- Isolate any system (piping, manifolds, containers, etc.) you are pressurizing whenever practicable. It is the user's responsibility to see that their system has proper pressure relief device(s) built into it. The relief device on the compressed gas cylinder's regulator is not designed to protect downstream systems. Pressure relief discharge points should consider venting to safe locations (not directed towards people or routed to safe locations for hazardous gases).
- Use a suitable pressure-regulating device where gas is admitted to a system of lower pressure rating than the supply pressure, and where, due to the gas capacity of the supply source, the system rating may be exceeded. A pressure regulator is required regardless of the existence of a pressure relief device protecting the lower pressure system.
- Ensure the area has proper ventilation or has had an oxygen deficiency hazard (ODH) analysis performed.
- Don't refill gas back into a cylinder or use a cylinder for storing any material. If material is accidentally forced back or sucked back into a cylinder, mark the cylinder well and inform your gas supplier.
- Almost all recent deaths involving compressed gas cylinders involved fillers at the compressed gas plants or users trying to put materials back into cylinders.
- Don't rely on the color of the cylinder to identify the contents. If there is any conflict or doubt about the contents, do not use the cylinder. Return it to your vendor.
- Don't allow cylinders to become part of an electrical circuit.