As summer begins to wind down and fall approaches, severe weather preparedness should remain top of mind for compressed gas operations. Hurricane season continues through November, and the months ahead can bring flooding, high winds and other weather-related hazards that affect facilities, cylinders and related equipment.
This year, an expected El Niño adds another factor for organizations to watch. El Niño can shift rainfall and storm patterns across the United States, increasing the potential for heavy precipitation and flooding in some regions even as it may reduce overall Atlantic hurricane activity. For compressed gas operations, these conditions can damage or contaminate cylinders and equipment and create hazards that may not be immediately visible.
CGA standards, safety alerts and technical resources can help facilities prepare before severe weather occurs, manage cylinders after a natural disaster and determine the appropriate steps before returning equipment to service.
Prepare Before Severe Weather Strikes
Facilities that manufacture, store, distribute or use compressed gases should include severe weather and natural disasters in their emergency response plans.
Depending on the facility and operation, an emergency response plan may address:
- Roles and responsibilities
- Hazard assessments
- Personal protective equipment requirements
- Site security
- Cylinder inspection and handling
- Storage and transportation
- Disposal procedures
- Return-to-service criteria
- Reporting and documentation
- Emergency communications and contact information
CGA resources can help organizations develop and review these plans.
Chapter 5: Emergency Response in the Handbook of Compressed Gases provides guidance on developing an emergency response plan.
CGA P-1, Standard for Safe Handling of Compressed Gases in Containers, provides additional guidance on the safe handling, storage and use of compressed gas containers.
After the Storm: Handle Exposed Cylinders Carefully
Severe weather can expose cylinders to debris, floodwater, salt water, sewage, mud, fire and other damaging conditions. A cylinder may also sustain damage or contamination that is not immediately visible.
Personnel should handle cylinders that have been submerged, contaminated or otherwise exposed to a natural disaster with care and evaluate them before returning them to service.
CGA SA-31, Receiving Cylinders After Natural Disaster Exposure, provides guidance for receiving, handling, segregating and evaluating cylinders following hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Inspect Cylinders Before Returning Them to Service
Compressed gas cylinders may contain flammable, toxic, oxidizing, asphyxiating or other hazardous materials under pressure. Damage to a cylinder, valve or related equipment can affect its integrity and create additional hazards.
Qualified personnel should assess cylinders affected by severe weather before returning them to service. CGA’s C-6 series of publications provides inspection guidance for different types of compressed gas cylinders and containers.
Facilities should follow the applicable CGA inspection requirements when determining whether an exposed cylinder can safely return to service.
Make Severe Weather Preparedness Part of Your Safety Program
El Niño may influence weather patterns over the coming months, but facilities do not need to wait for a specific storm forecast to prepare. Reviewing emergency response procedures, training personnel, maintaining current emergency contacts and establishing procedures for handling cylinders and equipment after a natural disaster can reduce risk when severe weather occurs.
Preparation also helps personnel respond more effectively after an event. Facilities should know how to identify potentially damaged or contaminated cylinders, who to contact for assistance and what procedures to follow before moving, inspecting or returning equipment to service.
CGA Severe Weather Safety Resources
CGA offers several resources to help compressed gas operations prepare for and respond to severe weather:
