Page 71 - 2020 ARE eGuide for Clinical at Nonhospital Sites

Oxygen Cylinder Safety

Even hospital personnel are not
always aware of how dangerous
compressed gasses can become.
Remember the following points:
• Oxygen in a cylinder is under
high pressure. In addition,
oxygen supports combustion,
which means it will cause an
explosion if mishandled.
• Never let tanks stand upright
without a holder because they
might fall over, causing the valve
to break off. It becomes a 100 lb.
"balloon" missile flying around
with the potential to inflict
serious harm.
• Always put them in a cage, cart,
or holder.
• Store 'full' cylinders in designated
holder/cage separate from
cylinders that are marked 'empty
or partially' used.