Safe Storage, Handling and
Transportation of Cylinders
Storing Cylinders
DO
- Keep cylinders in a well ventilated area by either natural or mechanical means
- If outdoors, cylinders must be in a designated cage or fenced area not less than 1.8 meters high and that can be locked when area is not staffed.
- Cylinders must have valve protection caps in place at all times
- Always secure cylinders from falling
- Cylinders must be kept on a non-combustible platform
- Signs indicating the TDG classification of the compressed gases must be readily visible
- No smoking sign must be prominently posted
- Differentiate full and empty cylinders by means of ?ull?& ?mpty?signs
DON'T
- Never store cylinders in your vehicle
- Cylinders must not be stored in locations where temperatures may rise above 51.7ºC (125ºF).
Handling Cylinders
DO
- Wear safety shoes with steel toes
- Ensure floors are free of debris, ice or pools of water
- If cylinder is off balance and falling, move out of the way and let it fall
DON'T
- Never use the ?ear Hug?to move a cylinder between two different levels
- Cylinders equipped with screw-on caps are not to be lifted by their caps
Transporting Cylinders
DO
- Close cylinder valve, even if cylinder is empty
- Dismantle all equipment, i.e. regulator
- Keep your vehicle ventilated
- Secure cylinders well
DON'T
- Never store cylinders in your vehicle
Transportation of Dangerous Goods
Introduction:
The TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS (TDG) ACT, 1992, was written to ensure public safety in the transportation of dangerous goods. As with any legislation, businesses are responsible to ensure compliance.
This instruction provides general information only. It outlines the Classes of dangerous goods, the responsibility of consignors to properly document and identify the dangerous goods they supply . The information in this document is believed to be correct, but is not warranted for correctness or completeness, or for applicability to any particular customer or situation. Any use, which a party makes of this information, or any reliance on or decision made based upon it, are the sole responsibility of such party. Air Liquide, its affiliates and parent companies, accept no responsibility for any damages or any kind or nature whatsoever, suffered by any party as a result of decisions made or actions based upon this information.
For specific information, the Transport of Dangerous Goods Act and Regulations must be consulted. Further specific information on training and legal requirements is available from a number of independent companies or directly from government sources such as:
Federal:
| Transport Dangerous Goods Transport Canada Place de Ville, Tower C 330 Sparks Street , 9 th Floor Ottawa , OntarioIO K1A 0N5 Telephone: (613) 992-4624 Facsimile: (613) 993-5925 www.tc.gc.ca/tdg |
Provincial:
British Columbia :
| Manager, Dangerous Goods ICBC Compliance Programs & Standards 910 Government Street Victoria , BC V8W 1X4 Telephone: (250) 414-7845 Facsimile: (250) 978-8018 |
Most Frequently Asked TDG Questions
Which regulation applies to cylinder transportations by road?
Road transport of cylinders is regulated by each individual provincial regulation on transportation of dangerous goods. However, those provincial regulations adopt, almost integrally, the Federal Regulation on Transportation of Dangerous Goods. For example, the Quebec regulation adopts the federal regulation on transport of dangerous goods and further states that dangerous goods are forbidden in the Ville-Marie and L-H Lafontaine tunnels (an area in which the federal regulation is silent.)
Rail and maritime transport is regulated entirely by the federal regulation. Air transport is regulated by the International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
Which gases does this regulation apply to?
All industrial and medical gases are dangerous goods and fall under this regulation.
What quantity of gas can I transport with reduced obligations?
Provincial regulation notwithstanding, there are four exemption and reduced obligation cases:
- Exemption for Personal Use
The TDG regulation does not apply if dangerous goods are:
- transported between retail outlet - residence - place of use
- are in cylinders of 30 Kg (gross) and total 150 Kg maximum
- are not for resale or commercial / industrial use
- 500 Kg Exemption
No placards are required for shipment of cylinders totaling less than 500 Kg (gross), on land only, if...
- the driver is trained and carries a valid certificate
- a document is provided indicating at least the primary & subsidiary class and number of cylinders for each product
- flammable gas cylinders are not more than 46 liters in volume
- there is no toxic gas cylinder.
- Service Truck Exemption
No placards, no documentation, no training is required if the dangerous goods ?
- are included in a maximum of 5 cylinders
- total 500 Kg (gross) or less
- are limited to acetylene, air, argon, MAPP, oxygen, propane
- ?edical Device Exemption?
The regulation does not apply to transportation of a medical cylinder intended for personal therapeutic uses of an individual; limited to a maximum of a 5 liter cylinder.
Important: The presence of other dangerous goods, such as flammable liquids or corrosive material, cancels all of the above exemptions.
Material Safety Data Sheets
In order to ensure that up-to-date Material Safety Data Sheets are available at all times, Air Liquide Canada has developed innovative solutions to respond to your needs;
- Internet service: By contacting www.airliquide.ca and using the Quick Links , you can instantly download an MSDS sheet.
A MSDS sheet is defined as current when it has not been replaced by a new revision or it is less than 3 years old. When in doubt, please contact your local Air Liquide representative for immediate verification.
The employees of Air Liquide Canada are dedicated to the complete elimination of all accidents, injuries and work-related illnesses. This commitment is extended to third parties and customers as related to the company's products and services. This commitment is visibly expressed throughout the company by Objective Zero Accidents.
Air Liquide, in striving to maintain a healthy and safe working environment throughout its operations and facilities, ensures that its employees are trained in safe work practices.
Insurance
Automobile Civil Liability
Air Liquide's insurance policies do not cover your liability resulting from the use or operation of your leased or owned motorized land vehicles while you may be transporting our products. You are responsible for securing your own automobile liability insurance policy for your vehicles. As provided by law, auto liability insurance extends to damages caused by vehicles, their trailers or semi-trailers, as well as transported objects or materials, or by falling objects or materials that are being transported. Standard auto liability insurance, however, does not cover damages caused or suffered by vehicles transporting flammable, explosive, corrosive or combustible materials ?a specific endorsement issued by your insurer granting you permission to carry such items may be required. This is important as most of Air Liquide's gases are classified as ?angerous goods? Consult with your insurance advisor.
Commercial General Liability
Air Liquide will maintain, at its own expense, a commercial general liability insurance policy covering its civil and product liability and, as qualified in a Broad Form Vendor's Endorsement , that of its distributors1, agents and resellers. Air Liquide's insurance does not cover your own independent or contributory actions, negligence, or omissions. Therefore, you should purchase and maintain your own commercial general liability insurance to cover your own liability risks. Air Liquide's insurance is intended to cover Air Liquide, the distributor, agent and reseller from claims for bodily injury and/or property damage from third parties provided such claims arise from the negligence of Air Liquide and/or its products. It does not cover any misrepresentation, product alteration, or similar intervening actions (physical or verbal) by you, the distributor, agent and reseller that may have contributed to the third party claim. Consult with your insurance advisor.
Property Entrusted to the Depot / Distributor
Air Liquide does not insure the cylinders, materials, or products entrusted to you against loss, damage, or theft. You are solely responsible for the property entrusted to you; therefore, it is recommended that you insure this property on a broad form basis against the perils of fire, explosion, theft and others. Should you decide not to insure these objects2, you remain responsible towards Air Liquide for the replacement value of these items. Consult with your insurance advisor.
1 Some conditions and exclusions apply. Contact our Risk Management & Insurance Department for more details.
2 You are always responsible towards Air Liquide for damages to property and products entrusted to you and you should inform your insurance company of the presence of Air Liquide's products.