A question we always ask on our gas safety workshops is: “How do you identify what type of gas is inside a cylinder?” After a roll of the eyes from most staff and the thought “that’s an easy question”, they almost always answer the same way — “the colour of the cylinder.” And they’re wrong.
The Product Label Is the Primary Method of Gas Cylinder Identification
Gas cylinders are correctly identified by the product label. Each individual gas cylinder must carry a label that clearly identifies its contents. The label also provides basic safety information on the hazards associated with the gas it contains.
The product label is therefore the primary and mandatory method of identifying the contents of a gas cylinder. It includes information required by legislation, such as the Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations.
The Exception: LPG Cylinders
As is often the case with regulations, there is an exception. In the UK, LPG cylinders (propane and butane) may have the contents of the gas cylinder stencilled onto the side of the cylinder rather than having a product label attached.
Cylinder Colour Codes: A Secondary Means of Identification
The use of a colour code is only a secondary means of gas cylinder identification. The colours applied to cylinders are generally not mandatory — with the exception of acetylene — but where a colour code is applied, it either relates to a specific gas or identifies the properties of a gas.
The compressed and cryogenic gases industry has harmonised cylinder colours across Europe in line with BS EN 1089-3. However, this harmonisation applies only to the shoulder of the gas cylinder. Across Europe, cylinders containing oxygen will have a white shoulder and cylinders of nitrogen will have a black shoulder.
It is important to note that whilst there is harmonisation regarding the colour of the cylinder shoulder, there is no standardisation of the colour of the body of the gas cylinder. For example, a cylinder of oxygen supplied by BOC in the UK will have a white shoulder with a black body, whereas a cylinder of oxygen supplied by Air Products will have a white shoulder with a grey body.
It is essential that organisations obtain a gas cylinder colour identification chart from their gas supplier(s) so that staff working with compressed or cryogenic gas cylinders are aware of cylinder colours specific to their supplier.
What to Do If a Gas Cylinder Has No Label
If your operators come across a gas cylinder that does not have a full, complete product label attached, the cylinder must not be used. It should be quarantined and returned to the gas supplier at the earliest opportunity.
In addition, product labels must not be removed from gas cylinders and they must not be defaced. These requirements are critical for safe gas cylinder handling across laboratory, industrial, university and welding environments.
Ensure Your Team Understands Gas Cylinder Identification
Make sure that all staff who work with compressed or cryogenic gas cylinders are aware that it is the product label that identifies the contents inside the gas cylinder and provides basic information on safe use and the associated hazards.
If your operators are unaware of the pre-use checks that need to be made on gas cylinders and associated equipment prior to use, please take a look at our gas safety training workshops for further guidance.
Please contact us on 01270 758890 or at admin@gassafeconsultants.co.uk to discuss your gas safety training requirements.
