Safety & Health in the Stone Crushing Industry - Occupational ...

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A.2.4 Using Gas Cylinders Safely
Gases are used in a stone crushing unit for repairs and maintenance work where welding or torch
cutting is necessary. These gas cylinders are pressurized, which means that they contain enormous
pressure. If the cylinder is cut open, for instance during an accident, they can explode; the gases in
them can ignite and start a fire. It is clear that in such an event, workers and by-standers such as the
unit owner can be seriously hurt or even killed. Especially dangerous are:
• cylinders of liquid propane or natural gas (LNG, LPG), even though there is little pressure in
the cylinder they are highly flammable;
• cylinders with Oxygen or Acetylene, which are pressurized and also highly flammable
Preventing gas cylinders from exploding or gases in these cylinders from catching fire is therefore an
important part of the safety of a crushing unit.
Picture 7: compressed welding gas cylinder (foreground) together with LPG gas tank (right side) close
to a power generator on open, hand-twisted electrical cable connections (center)
Location/Workplace
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Store rooms of gas cylinders, locations of welding and cutting throughout the unit