BE SAFE WITH ACETYLENE

This poster helps to identify hazards with using acetylene and help reduce risks of incidents BEForE proceeding to use acetylene for cutting and welding. oNLY use Acetylene when you are certain about your safety and the safety of others. Acetylene is the most common gas used for fuelling cutting torches.

When mixed with pure oxygen in a cutting torch assembly, an acetylene flame can reach a temperature of ~3100ºC. Acetylene is highly flammable and explosive, colourless and lighter than air. Acetylene has a garlic-like smell. Acetylene is shipped and transported in specially designed cylinders, filled with a porous

material and containing acetone to dissolve and stabilise the acetylene. Many users may not be aware of the unique characteristics of acetylene that create special hazards compared to other fuel gases, such as hydrogen, LPG, etc.

IMPorTANT

AuSTrALIA NEW ZEALANd INduSTrIAL GAS ASSoCIATIoNABN 80 003 067 178Po Box 288Chatswood NSW 2057 Australia200 Alexandra ParadeFitzroy VIC 3065 AustraliaTelephone: +61 3 9418 3949Facsimile: +61 3 9418 3940Email: office@anziga.org

This publication contains information sourced by ANZIGA from its members and third parties. The information is summary in nature and intended only as a guide or overview. While ANZIGA has taken care to ensure the accuracy of the information, you should not rely on the information as being suitable for your particular circumstances. The information is also not intended to replace any training required by the regulatory authorities or which may generally be desirable. Legislation and approved standards concerning the subject matter of this publication may apply. You should obtain appropriate legal or technical advice and you should also refer to the applicable legislation and any relevant approved standards to ensure compliance with your legal obligations. To the extent permitted at law, ANZIGA in its own right and on behalf of its members expressly disclaims liability for all loss, including damage to or loss of property, personal injury, death and economic loss, that may arise as a result of negligence, or other tort, or breach of statutory or contractual obligation, on the part of ANZIGA or any of its members in the preparation, circulation and distribution of this publication.

Member companies in New ZealandMember companies in AustraliaBoC LIMITEdriverside Corporate Park10 Julius AveNorth ryde NSW 2113 AustraliaTelephone: 131 262Facsimile: 132 427Emergency Number: 1800 653 572

AIr LIquIdE AuSTrALIA LIMITEd380 St. Kilda roadMelbourne VIC 3004 AustraliaAdelaide: (08) 8209 3600Brisbane: (07) 3246 6363darwin: (08) 8947 1184Launceston: (03) 6334 9666Melbourne: (03) 9290 1100Perth: (08) 9329 1234Sydney: (02) 9892 9777Air Liquide Healthcare: (02) 9364 7474

CorEGAS GAS PTY LTd66 Loftus roadYennora NSW 2161 AustraliaTelephone: 1800 807 203

BoC LIMITEd988 Great South roadPenrose Auckland New ZealandTelephone: 0800 111 333Facsimile: 0800 229 923Emergency Services: 111

AIr LIquIdENew Zealand Limited19 Maurice roadPenrose Auckland New ZealandTelephone: 09 622 3880Facsimile: 09 622 3881Emergency Services: 111

Acetylene is very easy to ignite. In fact, a static spark is sufficient to ignite acetylene. The static charge developed by walking across a carpet floor on a dry day can be 1000 times greater than that needed to ignite acetylene.

The damage to this vehicle was caused by the opening of a door, whilst an acetylene cylinder was kept inside with no ventilation.

Acetylene burns at a very fast rate, and the flame reaches a high temperature compared to other fuels. This can accelerate the rate at which pressure is generated in an explosion.

This also makes acetylene explosions more violent than those of other fuels.

Acetylene is chemically unstable, which makes it very sensitive to conditions such as excess pressure, excess temperature, static electricity or mechanical shock. If acetylene is exposed to any of these conditions, it can undergo a violent and explosive decomposition reaction. Acetylene is a simple asphyxiant and anaesthetic. Exposure to high concentrations of acetylene can cause loss of coordination and unconsciousness

This man was injured as a result of an acetylene explosion. He had been welding and the flame started to sputter, so he loosened the valve, and then the cylinder burst into flames.

Acetylene forms explosive compounds with copper, brass containing more than 70% copper, copper salts, mercury/mercury salts, silver/silver salts and nitric acid.

Verify that the material used is compatible with •acetylene

Keep cylinders in an upright position and •restrained

Store oxygen cylinders away from flammable •gas cylinders

use equipment which is in good working •condition and specifically designed for the relevant compressed gas

Wear appropriate clothing and protective •equipment

Keep a dry Chemical Powder Fire Extinguisher •near. Carbon dioxide is NoT recommended as it can generate static electricity.

Contact your supplier (or a competent person) •when information is required on the safe use of acetylene

read the Material Safety data Sheet (MSdS)•

Close the cylinder valve when the cylinder is •NoT in use

Close the cylinder valve before shutting off the •regulator, to permit the gas to bleed from the regulator

detach the regulator, hose and torch from the •cylinder before transit

Carefully remove leaking cylinders from storage •to a ventilated area and away from sources of ignition, and notify the supplier

Evacuate the area if a cylinder is burning •or abnormally hot. Call the fire brigade immediately and consult the supplier for expert advice

Inspect equipment, including hoses, regulators, •valves, and other assemblies to ensure that they are in good working condition and free of oil before each use

Check for gas leaks when preparing to begin •welding/cutting operations by listening and using an approved soapy solution to check for leaks

Ensure that a combination back flow stoppers/•flashback arrestor is installed between the regulator and the hose if the torch does NoT have one built into its handle

open cylinder valves slowly•

Ensure adequate ventilation in the work area•

Keep hoses, cables, and other equipment clear •of passageways, stairs, ladders, etc.

Ensure that “empty” containers do NoT •contain flammable vapours or any residues that might burn or give off flammable or toxic vapours before cutting or welding

use a pressure regulator with the proper •pressure range, and that is designed for use with acetylene.

Protect Acetylene cylinders from violent impacts •such as dropping them off a vehicle. Think of using a trolley to move cylinders

respect acetylene, oxygen (and other •compressed gases) because they have inherent hazards that are NoT always obvious.

refer to the relevant Material Safety data Sheet •(MSdS)

Be responsible when using compressed gas•

ALWAYS

DO NOT

EXPLOSIVE FLAMMABLE CHEMICALLY UNSTABLE COMPATIBILITY

Leave cylinders inside vehicles•

Transport acetylene cylinders in enclosed •vehicles, including those with tarpaulin covers, unless the recommendations in the ANZIGA Safety Information “Transporting Gas Cylinders or Cryogenic receptacles in Vehicles” are met

Transport acetylene cylinders together with •highly combustible loads such as wood chips or paper

Tamper with or attempt to repair cylinder valves •or fusible plugs

Attempt to move a cylinder that is burning or •abnormally hot. do NoT approach such a cylinder as it may explode

use equipment if faulty, damaged, cracked or •deteriorating. Have it repaired or replaced.

use a flame for leak checking or adjust fittings •unless depressurised first

Stand directly in front of the regulator while •opening

Grind near Acetylene•

use flexible hose and/or pipeline that are not •compatible with acetone

Crack open valve to blow off the plastic blue •plug to test contents or pressure to drive dirt or moisture from valve etc

use acetylene at pressures higher than 1.5 bar •(150 kPa) as it can become unstable

Lift cylinders by the valve•

Play practical jokes, skylark, or put any person •at risk with acetylene. Practical jokes are highly dangerous and they have caused serious injury and death

Allow acetylene gas to come in contact with •unalloyed copper

Allow acetylene gas to come in contact with •copper, except in a torch. Copper piping must not be used for acetylene reticulation systems.

use silver brazing unless a procedure designed •for silver brazing with acetylene is followed. Consult your gas supplier.

Industry standards

•AustralianStandardAS4289Oxygenandacetylenegas reticulation systems.

•ANZIGASafetyInformationTransportinggascylinders or cryogenic liquid receptacles in vehicles.

•Detailedtechnicalinformationisavailablefromyourgas supplier.