Lab directors (faculty/lab managers/supervisors) must obtain pre-approval from Environment, Health & Safety (EHS) to purchase restricted hazardous compressed gases that may require special precautions or engineering controls, or create additional hazards during an emergency response.

The following hazardous gases, in cylinder sizes larger than a lecture bottle (size LB), are included in this policy:  carbon monoxide, flammable gases (e.g. hydrogen >5%), corrosive gases (e.g. ammonia), oxidizing gases (e.g. liquid oxygen, oxygen >25%,  nitrous oxide, chlorine, fluorine), pyrophoric gases (e.g. arsine, disilane, diborane, germane, phosphine, silane), and toxic and highly toxic gases per NFPA 55.

For more information about this requirement, refer to the Policy information located on the Restricted Hazardous Gas Approval Form.

Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines, and Manuals

The following documents may be required for your research operation, depending on what type of research you are performing, the potential hazards you and your staff will be exposed to, and the engineering controls you are implementing.  Some of these documents are in a downloadable “Word” format so that you can print them for your operation as is, or download and modify them to meet your unique needs.  When you click the link it will automatically go to the download file.

• Compressed Gas Use Guideline
• Compressed Gases Standard Operating Procedure
  NOTE: Each laboratory should develop Standard Operating Procedures when using a compressed gas for research.  There are also limitations on the number and volume of cylinders as well as additional requirements that may apply depending on the specific use and type of materials involved.

For more information, or technical support assistance for the proper use and storage of compressed gases, contact EHS at (734) 763-6973.