Publications

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.

EIGA has received reports of serious incidents that have resulted in the rupture of transportable vacuum insulated containers at our filling stations and at user premises. Analysis of these incidents indicates the root causes as failure to apply appropriate engineering standards, poor operating practice, lack of periodic maintenance and inspection of safety devices and other important operating controls. This Safety Information is intended to raise awareness of these serious incidents and to provide the basic recommendations and rules to safely operate these containers at our filling stations and user premises. The Safety Information should be read by managers and employees involved in the filling and maintenance of these containers, or in specifying the procedures for these activities.

This Safety Information (SI) publication is intended to raise awareness and to inform potential users about the hazards of using cryogenic liquids at extreme sub-zero temperatures for food preparation and cooking demonstrations. There have been serious incidents reported in connection with molecular cooking that resulted in severe injuries. The Safety Information provides guidance on the precautions and simple hazard assessments that users should employ when using liquid nitrogen in this application. This SI is intended to be shared directly with end users or as a guide for member companies to develop their own information packs for customers. The Safety Information has been extensively revised to reflect the increase in related applications.

This Safety Information is intended to advise how to safely move single cylinders taking into account the requirements of EN and ISO standards. Lifting shall not be attempted by wrapping a sling or chain directly around the cylinder body or by using the valve guard as a lifting device unless it has been designed and qualified for this purpose and its condition and secure attachment to the cylinder has been verified.

This Safety Information (SI) is intended to raise awareness about the physiological hazards of carbon dioxide. While the asphyxiation hazard is well known, carbon dioxide intoxication hazard is often not well understood by those involved in the supply and/or use of carbon dioxide. There have been serious incidents involving carbon dioxide. Tragically, some have resulted in fatalities. A common cause in these incidents has been a failure to recognise the actual carbon dioxide concentration in the working environment and therefore the hazard. This SI is intended to raise awareness of the hazards of carbon dioxide intoxication, to educate people on the mechanism of intoxication and to highlight the risks of mistakes when analysing ambient air. The SI makes recommendations on what steps should be taken to minimise these risks and is intended to be used to raise the awareness of those who are working with carbon dioxide, either on industrial gas sites or customer premises. This version includes extensive revisions to the sections on ‘Carbon dioxide’, ‘What happens when you breathe?’ and ‘Hazard of carbon dioxide intoxication’; providing some additional information and clarity on the physiological processes.

This publication provides guidelines for the handling of gas cylinders during filling, storage, discharge, maintenance, periodic inspection, and transport equipped with quick release cylinder valves used in firefighting systems. Quick release cylinder valves are used on cylinders typically containing carbon dioxide, nitrogen, or gas mixtures in firefighting systems.

This Safety Information is intended to provide guidance on the common cylinder valve design issues that EIGA members have seen in service. This Safety Information is intended for all personnel who are involved in the design and selection of cylinder valves, both EIGA and non EIGA members.