Help & Support – Technical Gases

Find out everything you need to know about safety when using technical gases – including how to handle gas cylinders safely.

Regulations, safety and maintenance

Safety at work

Safety and health at work is always a top priority at Istrabenz Plini Group and one of our key values.

The attitude towards safety of each and every co-worker – from management to all engineers, production, sales, purchasing and other support staff – is of a paramount importance, as each worker contributes his/her share and is responsible for working safely in his/her area of expertise.

At Istrabenz Plini Group, we handle hazardous substances when working – gases under pressure that are also explosive or toxic, as well as asphyxiants, oxidants, etc. Our safety culture is based on employee training. In doing so, we take into account the characteristics of our companies, past events and existing good practices.

The importance of knowing the properties of gases

Our common goal is to achieve the highest possible level of safety, health and security at work, so to always find out about:

properties of gas and its dangers,
safety data sheet,
safe transport, loading and unloading of gas cylinders,
safe storage of gas cylinders,
safe handling of gas cylinders and equipment,
measures in case of emergency.

How to identify hazardous properties of substances?

Gas under pressure

Substances that are under high pressure and, if heated, can cause an explosion.

Oxidising

Substances that cause a strong exothermic reaction when in contact with other substances, especially flammable substances.

Flammable

Substances that ignite quickly when close to a heat source.

Life-threatening, highly toxic

Substances that are very dangerous to your health and can cause death if swallowed or inhaled.

Corrosive

Substances that can cause skin ulcers or severe eye damage if used incorrectly.

Explosive

Substances that can explode due to heating or friction.

Various adverse health effects

Substances that are mutagenic, carcinogenic, allergenic, affect reproduction, etc.

Harmful, irritating

Substances that cause skin, eye, respiratory or internal organ irritation and have narcotic effects.

Dangerous for the environment

Substances containing chemicals that pose a threat to living organisms in water or on land.

Flammable gases

May cause fire or explosion and suffocation.

Non-flammable, non-toxic gases

May cause suffocation.

Oxidising gases

In combination with flammable materials, they can cause strong reactions or explosions, facilitate the ignition of materials and greatly increase the intensity of a fire.

Groups of gases and their hazards

In the Istrabenz Plini Group, gases can be divided into the following groups according to the hazards they pose:

GAS GROUP	GAS	HAZARDOUS
CRYOGENIC GASES	LIQUID NITROGEN LIQUID ARGON LIQUID OXYGEN LIQUID CARBON DIOXIDE	Danger of frostbite. Choking Hazard.
FLAMMABLE GASES	LPG* PROPANE ACETYLENE HYDROGEN NATURAL GAS (METHANE)	They can ignite or explode when heated. Choking Hazard.
OXIDISING GASES	OXYGEN NITROGEN DIOXIDE	In contact with oils and fats, they can ignite or explode.
FLUORINATED GREENHOUSE GASES	R-410a R-134a R-407c R-32	They are generally non-flammable, with exceptions (e.g. R-32). They can explode when heated. They are strong greenhouse gases and contribute to global warming.
OTHER GASES UNDER PRESSURE	NITROGEN ARGON CARBON DIOXIDE	They can explode when heated. Choking hazard (except Air and oxygen-rich mixtures).

Safe handling of gas cylinders

INCORRECT	CORRECT
Cylinder storage
Cylinders must never stand on their own, without support.	The cylinders should be placed in a group (honeycomb), one next to the other, or chained to a wall support. A cylinder pallet can also be used for safe storage.
Cylinder moving
Never carry a cylinder on your shoulder, lift it or roll two cylinders at once.	Roll only one cylinder at a time, and only over a short distance. To move cylinders over longer distances, use a dedicated cylinder trolley. Always check that a protective cap is installed on the cylinder before moving and storing it.
Moving with a forklift
Do not transport individual cylinders or pallets in a forklift truck where the cylinders are not secured with a seat belt against falling.	The forklift truck is only used to move cylinders in pallets, secured with a safety belt. Never transport cylinders directly on forks without a pallet.
Falling cylinders
Never try to catch a falling cylinder.	Keep an eye out for falling cylinders and wear protective shoes when working with them.
Personal protective equipment
Do not move or stow cylinders in pallets without personal protective equipment.	Make sure that cylinders do not squeeze your hands and use protective gloves, appropriate footwear with a protective cap and eye protection (goggles) to protect your eyes in case of unforeseen gas leaks. If working in a potentially explosive atmosphere, only wear clothing and shoes intended for such an environment.

Safety Data Sheets for technical gases

DOWNLOAD SAFETY DATA SHEETS

Supply modes

At Istrabenz Plini, technical gases are supplied:

In the gaseous phase in cylinders, cylinder bundles, hydrogen trailers and via pipelines.
In the liquid phase in appropriate mobile dewars and road tankers.

Istrabenz Plini offers a wide range of cylinders and other containers/vessels for the storage and transport of gases. Cylinders and containers/vessels are manufactured in accordance with international requirements. Strict specifications on the quality of the interior walls of the containers and their condition allow them to maintain the characteristics of the products they are intended for over a long period of time.

Capacity l H2O	Outer Diameter in mm ca	Height *mm ca
10	168	940
20	203	950
40	203	1650
50	229	1650

*indicative values with valve and a protective cap

Please contact our commercial department to check availability of cylinders/containers of other sizes.

Cylinders are available either as separate units or grouped in cylinder bundles. The correct choice of container dimensions depends on the analysis of consumption and service requirements of the user.

Cylinder No.	Dimensions (L x W x H) mm
16 x 50 L	1005 x 1005 x 2006
20 x 50 L	1005 x 1240 x 2006
25 x 40 L	1130 x 1130 x 1935

Valves for cylinders
Materials of the valve structure (valve body, mechanical parts and housing) are carefully selected according to the gas to be compressed in the cylinder and manufactured in accordance with the applicable standards. The valves are available with an outlet flange as specified by national standards (EN-DIN, EN-UNI…)

Download information

To download this information, please click on the brochure Safety and health at work: Working safely with gases.

Have you found everything you needed?

If you need any information and assistance on how to use our products, feel free to contact us