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July 2003 — Cylinders May Not be Stored on Welding Carts

Sections 1910.253 (b)(4)(iii) of the general industry standard and 1926.350(a)(10) of the construction standard requires that oxygen cylinders that are in storage be separated from fuel-gas cylinders and combustible materials. It specifies that the cylinders either be separated by a minimum of 20 feet or have a non-combustible fire wall (with a fire resistance rating of one half hour) at least five feet high. These storage requirements cannot be met if an oxygen cylinder and an acetylene cylinder are stored on a welding cart: they would lack the required separation and there is normally not a fire barrier available for a cart that would meet the requirements of the standard.

OSHA considers a cylinder to be in storage when it is reasonably anticipated that gas will not be drawn from the cylinder within 24 hours (overnight hours included). At that point the storage requirements must be met. In contrast, if it is reasonably anticipated that gas will be drawn from the cylinder during the next 24 hours, the cylinder is not considered to be in storage and the storage requirements do not apply. "Reasonable anticipation" that gas will be drawn within 24 hours must be based on whether specific welding or cutting work is planned for that period. An assessment must also be made as to the number of gas cylinders expected to be needed to do that work and only that number is considered to be out of storage.

Important:

This information is offered by the National Welding Supply Association and your local distributor as general guidance only and may not explain all relevant safety precautions or hazards

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