Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:33:50 -0500
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: "Woodring, James L." <jWoodring**At_Symbol_Here**ANL.GOV>
Subject: Re: Gas Regulator Question
In-Reply-To: <BD4E1ACF-5EA7-4B25-A6D6-62A4D7002A82**At_Symbol_Here**comcast.net>

We've had at least one regulator fail on a cylinder of H2S mixture. The coi
led Bourdon tube developed a rupture failure about an inch long. The escape
 of gas blew the regulator gage dial, face and indicator across the room.

A rare event but it is usually easy to avoid being right in front of the ga
ge when the cylinder is opened.

Jim Woodring
ESQ Industrial Hygiene
Argonne National Laboratory
jwoodring**At_Symbol_Here**anl.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**list.uvm.edu] On Behalf Of Ge
orge D. McCallion
Sent: Friday, April 30, 2010 2:00 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Gas Regulator Question

hear hear!

I echo this as well.

My practice is when working on process valves to turn away when  
opening or closing.

I instruct my interns & new employees the same practice.

Although I am a Process Chemist this thread does have cross- 
discipline impact!

Cheers!

George D. McCallion
Chemist III
Chemical Process Research & Development
Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Materials
2003 Nolte Drive
West Deptford, NJ 08066-1742
Voice: 856.384.7255
Fax: 856.384.7186
E-Mail: mccalgd**At_Symbol_Here**jmusa.com
************************************************************************ 
*********

On Apr 30, 2010, at 2:39 PM, Debbie M. Decker wrote:

> A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away.......I was trained to stand  
> to the side of the regulator, not right in front, when opening the  
> cylinder valve.  Still do!
>
> Debbie M. Decker, Campus Chemical Safety Officer
> Environmental Health and Safety
> University of California, Davis
> 1 Shields Ave.
> Davis, CA  95616
> (530)754-7964/(530)752-4527 (FAX)
> dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu
> Co-Conspirator to Make the World A
> Better Place -- Visit www.HeroicStories.com and join the conspiracy
>
>
>
> ------------------original message--------------------
>
>             Long ago, when I was taking welding lessons, the  
> instructor taught us to avert our faces from the regulator gauges  
> when opening a gas tank because of a possible defect in the  
> regulator that would pressurize the gauge and explode the glass.
>
>             Since that time, I have read several books on  
> laboratory practices and do not recall any of them alluding to the  
> practice of averting one's face when opening a gas cylinder.   
> Should they?
>
> With all the accumulated experience in this group, has anyone heard  
> of this practice or hazard?
>
>             (Note: My old instructor might have been confusing a  
> defective regulator hazard with the one resulting from using a  
> contaminated regulator with an oxygen cylinder.)
>
>             Thank you very much,
>
>             Ben
>

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