After months of hard work and preparation we are very pleased to be in our new premises:

We are very proud to offer open courses at our office here in Northwich.

A wide range of gas equipment and associated safety products will soon be on display.

Visitors will be more than welcome – we can even offer you a cake if you let us know in advance!

We look forward to seeing you.

• Changes to Gas Cylinder Storage
• Abuse of Industrial Gases
• Free Fume Focus Seminars

Changes to Gas Cylinder Storage Guidance.

Recent changes to guidelines produced by the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA ) have relaxed previous store layout requirements while maintaining proper safety levels.

Download the Gas Cylinder Storage Guidance pdf.

Abuse of Industrial Gases.

Safety at work and at home:
Prompted by the recent and tragic death of a teenage girl, killed by inhaling Helium from one foil celebration balloon the BCGA have published L7.  This leaflet highlights the dangers of misusing industrial gases and is relevant for both recreational and industrial users of compressed gases.

Download BCGA L7

FREE Fume Focus Seminars.

PGS are proud members of the AWD our Commercial Director Helen Brewin is the NW Regional officer.

HSE has joined up with the AWD (Association of Welding Distribution) to run a series of events specifically on fume extraction and respiratory protective equipment when welding and cutting. Presentations will cover local exhaust ventilation, general mechanical ventilation, optimising your welding consumables and respiratory protective equipment.

Meet Proactive Gas Safety and some of our associates at the Fume Focus Awareness Seminars

Visit the HSE website for further information and to register your place.

Supporting Malawi Orphanage

Message from Caroline

I would like to thank PGS for their support in sponsoring me towards my project overseas during my gap year. For the past 7 months I have been in Malawi (Africa) living in a specialist centre providing accommodation for around 50 street children. There I helped teach English, maths, play and sporting activities. Many of the children also had serious medical conditions and the PGS sponsorship assisted me in organising life saving medical care for a number of the children.

From myself and the children at the Samaritans Trust Blantyre Malawi “Zikomo Kwambiri” thank you very much.

Many Thanks

Caroline Openshaw

Battling the way to the top

David and his wife had 14 porters to support them on the way

David Openshaw and his wife recently had a relaxing holiday climbing Kilamanjaro!

Congratulations on reaching the summit

The Myths:

1. ‘External damage to a cold acetylene cylinder will lead to an explosion’
2. ‘Acetylene cylinders involved in fires must be cooled for 24 hours before they are safe’

These long established statements are challenged in the light of extensive new research into the behaviour of acetylene.

Recent exhaustive research and testing of Acetylene cylinders in fires and cold impact incidents has lead to a completely new appraisal of the real level of hazard posed by acetylene cylinders in these circumstances.

The research involved The BCGA, HSE, DfT, TFL and the Chief Fire Officers’ Association. They commissioned research by the German Federal Institute of Materials Science – World renowned acetylene testing experts BAM

THE RESULTS

1. The Cold Impact Myth

One of the myths surrounding acetylene is that external damage to cylinders causes internal combustion and ignition.

This has been refuted by extensive acetylene cylinder testing including:

• Drop test
• Elevated temperature test
• Backfire test
• Impact resistance test (using Plastic explosive charge)

Fact: This cylinder has been extensively damaged in testing but shows no signs of internal heating when sectioned. Cold impact cannot cause internal decomposition and burning.

Acetylene cylinders can suffer extensive cold impact damage but still maintain their safety and integrity!

2. Acetylene Cylinders in Fires – The 24 hour Cooling Myth

UK Fire Service Protocol since 2003 when acetylene cylinders have been involved in a fire has been to:

• Implement an initial 200m hazard zone.
• Followed by a 24 hour cylinder cooling period – the cylinder not moved or vented.
• Zone reduction based on risk assessment.
• Frequently a 200m exclusion zone held in place for up to 24 hours – This has caused massive disruption and ties up fire fighting resources!

The authorities asked:  ‘what is the realistic cooling time to be sure any acetylene decomposition is over and cannot re-start?’

BAM’s findings determined the following:

• UK procedures were excessive and the 24 hour time interval has no basis in fact.
• Acetylene cylinders involved in fires become safe and stable after just 1 hour cooling. In addition 1 hour monitoring time has been added to double the known safety margin.

Note: these procedures are to be undertaken by the Fire Service.  Individual Fire Officers may decide to change the timimgs according to the circumstances of the incident.

Acetylene is the fuel gas of choice for many due to its flame temperature and being lighter than air does not collect in low lying areas such as ships holds, trenches and pits.

REMEMBER:

• Always store and transport cylinders upright and secured.
• Always use a flashback arrestor when using acetylene.
• Ensure location, quantity & type of cylinders are readily available if required.
• Ensure operators are trained in the safe use of gases.

As with any other gas, Acetylene is safe if operators are properly trained in its hazards, properties and use.

All PGS training courses have been updated with the correct information and protocols regarding acetylene as issued by the BCGA and Fire Authorities.

Call our offices on 0845 0701206 / 7 for further information

Proactive Gas Safety are active serving members of the British Compressed Gases Association and the Association of Welding Distribution.  The information shown here reflects that which Doug Thornton, Chief Executive of the BCGA, gave to BCGA & AWD conferences in April 2011.

Click here for further details.

Due to the recent Globally Harmonised System – GHS – for the Classification and Labelling of Chemicals including Compressed Gases you will note gas suppliers implementing changes in cylinder labelling.

Changes apply from December 2010 for all substances (pure gases) and 1 June 2015 for all mixtures.

Some of the more important changes include:

• New Pictograms – showing hazards not covered by transport regulations
• Hazard and Precautionary (H&P) statements will replace the current risk and safety phrases
• Due to the greater quantity of information a second label may be fixed to the body of the cylinder

Examples of new cylinder labelling:

Oxygen cylinder labelling

Acetylene cylinder labelling

ENSURE YOUR STAFF UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS OF CHANGES IN GAS SAFETY LEGISLATION

The European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA)  has published a leaflet outlining these new requirements for the labelling of gas cylinders

Globally Harmonised System: E-learning Modules

Operators must be trained to carry out these before use checks:

• No evidence of damage or modifications to the regulator, bullnose or gauges
• Free from oil, greases, solvents & PTFE tape
• Maximum inlet pressure is appropriate for the cylinder in use
• Maximum outlet pressure is appropriate for the application
• Pressure Adjustment Screw stays fixed to the body of the regulator, it operates freely & to full extent
• Label is in place

Regulator Bullnose

• 90 degree to the body
• Tightening nut undamaged & of correct thread type
• Free from oil, greases, solvents & PTFE tape

Regulator Outlet Connection

• Threads undamaged
• Free from oil, greases, solvents, PTFE tape & carbon deposits

Regulator Pressure Relief Valves (Where fitted)

• The internal outlet opening is free from obstructions

Regulator Gauges

• Are in place & correct for the gas type
• Marked EN562 &/or ISO5171
• Clear covers are in place & undamaged
• The needles are reading zero, at the correct side of stop & not bent
• Appropriate high & low pressure scales
• The backs are in place

Five Year Rule

• It is recommended that regulators should not be used where they are more than 5 Years old (or whatever service life the Manufacturer recommends)

Download the free regulator date coding fact sheet here

To be included on our database and receive regular updates from Proactive Gas Safety,  please register

If you are already registered, you can download your copy of ‘ Regulator Date Markings’ here

Monday 29 June 2009 (read the article on the BBC News website)

David Openshaw, PGS Technical & Safety Director, was interviewed on BBC Radio 4 and allayed fears over the widespread use of LPG provided safe practices are understood and used.

Brief Summary:

• Propane is one of the safest gases;  it has many applications  and accounts for 65% of all  gas used.
• Propane is stored in liquid form, once the liquid is released it will turn to gas at a ratio of 250:1
• In an incident such as this, being heavier than air, the gas will flow downhill and combined with between 2-10% air will provide an explosive mixture, all that is now needed is a source of ignition.
• These incidents are extremely rare, hence the reason LPG is used for domestic purposes

Proactive Gas Safety provide training in the safe handling and transport of Liquid Petrolium Gas (LPG)

(Excerpt provided with kind permission of BBC Radio 4 Tonight Programme )