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  Gas cylinders contain highly compressed or liquefied gases that may be flammable, toxic or otherwise sensitive to the environment. Workers must follow a series of guidelines in order to prevent gas leaks or other damage that may be caused to gas cylinders and storage facilities. Moreover, gas fumes or cracked cylinders may cause deadly explosions or the spread of poisonous gases; therefore, storage guidelines are essential for the safety of workers and the outside environment.
  
  

Labeling Rules

• Not only are gas cylinder labels necessary for proper organization and easy access, they are necessary as a safety precaution. For example, flammable gases must be stored in special conditions, and must be separated at all costs from oxygen cylinders, which may cause trace gas fumes to ignite. All gas cylinders must be clearly and properly labeled with the manufacturer, chemical contents as well as with any and all dates that the cylinders were used, and by whom. This label must be undamaged and located on the shoulder of the cylinder. Any ambiguity or abnormality in cylinder labeling must be reported to the manufacturer immediately, and the corresponding cylinders must be set aside for individual storage.
  
  

Handling Rules

• Only trained professionals are qualified to handle gas cylinders in storage rooms. These workers must receive instruction in emergency safety precautions, personal protective equipment (PPE), how to read data sheets and to thoroughly understand the characteristics of liquefied and compressed gases, as well as additional safety precautions specific to the type of work they will be performing. Cylinders should always be secured to special carts for transport, and when anchored in position must be held with chains, cables or straps for extra support. Liquid flammable gas cylinders must always be stored in an upright position. When not in use, cylinder valves must always be closed and secured with an additional protective cap.
  
  

Storage Room Specifications

• In order to minimize physical loss or damage, chemical reactions as well as the spread of harmful fumes, a storage room must follow certain restrictions. With regards to physical damage, cylinders must be stored neatly, securely and away from exits and corridors to avoid knocking or tipping. To avoid chemical reactions such as explosions and/or the mixing of harmful gases, workers must follow label specifications concerning the proper space of separation between cylinders, and separate rooms and/or spaces must be provided accordingly. All storage rooms must be properly ventilated in order to filter out residual gases from opening cylinder valves or unwanted leaks. Finally, storage rooms must be dry and void of salt, uncontained electric currents or flames as well as of any other possible ignition source.