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Home›Courses›Safety Training›Laboratory Safety: Compressed Gas Cylinders

Laboratory Safety: Compressed Gas Cylinders

24 minutesENSafety Training29 CFR 1910.101 - Compressed Gases; 29 CFR 1910.1450 - Occupational Exposure in Laboratories
Quick Answer

Laboratory Safety: Compressed Gas Cylinders is a 24-minute online course that trains laboratory personnel on the safe handling, storage, and use of compressed gas cylinders in laboratory environments as regulated under OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.101. It is designed for research, clinical, and industrial laboratory workers and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Compressed gases are used extensively in laboratories for research, calibration, analytical testing, and medical applications. These gases - stored under pressures of 2,000 psi or more - present serious hazards including explosion from cylinder failure, asphyxiation from inert gas displacement of oxygen, toxic exposure, fire from flammable gas leaks, and cold burns from cryogenic liquids. OSHA's compressed gas standard 29 CFR 1910.101 requires employers to ensure cylinders are in safe condition and handled according to Compressed Gas Association guidelines. Laboratories that use hazardous chemicals must also comply with the OSHA Laboratory standard at 29 CFR 1910.1450.

This course trains your laboratory personnel on the specific hazards and safe handling procedures for compressed gas cylinders in lab settings. Your team will learn to identify the three main types of compressed gases (liquefied, non-liquefied, and dissolved), understand the unique hazards each type presents, follow proper procedures for cylinder transport, storage, and connection to equipment, and respond appropriately to leaks and other emergencies. The course also covers cryogenic liquids and the additional precautions they require, including protection against cold burns and the risk of pressure buildup from vaporization.

What You'll Learn

  • Types of compressed gases: liquefied, non-liquefied, and dissolved
  • Hazard identification for flammable, toxic, oxidizing, corrosive, and inert gases
  • OSHA requirements for compressed gas cylinders under 29 CFR 1910.101
  • Proper cylinder storage including securing, segregation, and ventilation in lab settings
  • Safe cylinder transport, connection, and disconnection procedures
  • Cryogenic liquid hazards and PPE requirements including face shields and leather gloves
  • Leak detection methods and emergency response procedures
  • Safety Data Sheet review for compressed gases used in the laboratory

Who Needs This Training

  • Research scientists and laboratory technicians who use compressed gases for experiments and analysis
  • Clinical laboratory workers handling calibration gases and medical-grade gases
  • Industrial quality control lab personnel using gases for testing and instrumentation
  • Lab managers responsible for compressed gas procurement, storage, and safety policies
  • Facility maintenance staff who service or move gas cylinders in laboratory buildings
  • Safety officers overseeing laboratory operations with compressed gas hazards

Regulatory Background

OSHA regulates compressed gas safety in laboratories through several overlapping standards. 29 CFR 1910.101 requires employers to visually inspect all compressed gas cylinders and to handle, store, and use compressed gases in accordance with CGA Pamphlet P-1. The OSHA Laboratory standard, 29 CFR 1910.1450, requires laboratories to develop a Chemical Hygiene Plan that addresses the specific hazards of all chemicals used in the lab, including compressed gases. The Hazard Communication standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 requires SDS availability and employee training on chemical hazards. For cryogenic liquids, additional considerations apply regarding pressure relief, ventilation, and cold-contact PPE. Violations of compressed gas safety standards can carry penalties of up to $16,550 for serious violations and $165,514 for willful or repeated violations. Laboratories must ensure that all personnel who handle compressed gas cylinders receive training appropriate to the hazards present.

Frequently Asked Questions

Liquefied gases exist as a liquid inside the cylinder under pressure (examples: carbon dioxide, propane, ammonia). Non-liquefied gases remain entirely in gas form at cylinder pressure (examples: oxygen, nitrogen, helium, hydrogen). Dissolved gases are dissolved in a solvent within the cylinder (the primary example being acetylene dissolved in acetone). Each type has different handling requirements based on how the gas behaves when released.
Cylinders must be stored upright and secured with chains, straps, or a cylinder stand to prevent tipping. They should be in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Incompatible gases must be segregated - for example, flammable gases must be separated from oxidizers by at least 20 feet or by a non-combustible barrier. Empty cylinders should be stored separately from full ones and clearly marked. Valve protection caps must be in place when cylinders are not connected to equipment.
Cryogenic liquids require specific PPE because they can cause severe cold burns and frostbite on contact with skin. Required PPE typically includes loose-fitting insulated or leather gloves (not latex or nitrile), a face shield or safety goggles, a lab coat or protective apron, and closed-toe shoes. Gloves should be loose-fitting so they can be removed quickly if cryogenic liquid splashes inside them. Standard laboratory safety glasses alone do not provide adequate protection from cryogenic splash.
Inert gases such as nitrogen, helium, and argon are not toxic, but they can displace oxygen in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. When oxygen levels drop below 19.5%, asphyxiation becomes a risk. Laboratory workers have been killed by oxygen displacement from leaking cylinders or spills of liquid nitrogen in confined areas. Laboratories using inert gases should ensure adequate ventilation and consider oxygen monitoring in enclosed spaces where large quantities are used or stored.
Yes. The Laboratory standard requires employers to develop and implement a Chemical Hygiene Plan that addresses the hazards of all chemicals used in the laboratory, including compressed gases. The plan must include standard operating procedures for handling hazardous chemicals, training on the specific hazards present, and provisions for PPE and engineering controls. Compressed gas safety should be specifically addressed in the Chemical Hygiene Plan.

Related Courses

Laboratories that handle multiple types of hazardous materials should pair this course with Chemical Hazards: Hazardous Materials Safety for broader chemical safety coverage. For laboratories with additional physical safety hazards, Laboratory Safety: Safe Work Practices and Laboratory Safety: Electrical Safety provide complementary training on the other major risk categories in laboratory environments.

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$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

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$24.95
per person