Safe Handling, Storage and Disposal

 This fact sheet outlines how to safely handle, store and dispose of unwanted LP gas cylinders. It provides assistance to employers, employees, managers, supervisors, contractors and householders who require information about dealing with unwanted or unidentifiable (‘orphaned’) LP gas cylinders that appear unpredictably in the waste stream.

Cylinders containing LP gas and cylinders that are apparently empty but in fact contain some contents are found disposed in the waste stream, particularly in household waste collection bins, at landfill sites, waste transfer stations and metal recyclers. These cylinders present a risk to the health and safety of employees and the general public and are not wanted by the waste and recycling management industry in the general waste stream.

Cylinders may be discarded because:

• they are empty and deliberately discarded because it is too hard to find a safe disposal route
• they require re-inspection and it is cheaper to purchase a new cylinder, rather than pay for a re-inspection
• they are damaged and cannot be safely refilled
• the owner/supplier cannot be identified – eg there are no markings to indicate ownership  or the cylinders are from a foreign supplier
• the owner has no further use for the cylinders.

Explosions and fires have occurred when cylinders of LP gas (propane gas) have been handled, stored or disposed of incorrectly.  LP gas is heavier than air and will accumulate in low areas and depressions, rather than dissipate.  Without adequate ventilation and air movement, dissipation will occur slowly, and the accumulated gas will remain within its explosive range over a longer period, increasing the likelihood of it finding an ignition source. A leaking cylinder can also generate an explosive mixture if it is not stored and handled correctly.

Unless properly stored and handled, LP gas cylinders are a safety risk because they are:

• pressurised, with the risk of a violent release of contents if the container is punctured
• flammable, if the contents are released and mixed with air
• an asphyxiant, if the contents displace the air in an area occupied by humans or animals.

Risk Assessment

Employers and occupiers of premises are required to undertake and record a risk assessment to ensure that no persons are exposed to risks arising from the handling and storage of LP gas cylinders on their premises. The risk assessment must be reviewed and updated should it be no longer valid.  Where no specific measures are necessary, the employer or occupier should make a notation in the register of dangerous goods. Or, where specific measures are necessary to control the risks associated with the storage and/or handling of LP gas cylinders, a report on the risk assessment should be prepared– see clause 174Q of the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001 (OHS Regulation).

Safe Handling and Storage

LP gas cylinders (dangerous goods Class 2.1) must be positioned so the pressure relief valve is in the vapour space of the cylinder – eg stored in an upright position.   Quantities of LP gas cylinders stored on a site should be kept as low as is reasonably practicable within the limits of safe storage facilities, and collected and disposed of on a regular basis.   LP gas cylinders must be handled and stored in accordance with chapter 6A of the OHS Regulation and clause 10.14 of AS/NZS 1596:2002

The storage and handling of LP Gas, which requires that cylinders must be:

• handled carefully and not allowed to fall upon one another, or subjected to undue shock
• secured to prevent movement or physical damage
• safe-guarded against physical damage to the valves, in accordance with AS2473.1:2006 –
  Valves for compressed gas cylinders – Specifications, type testing, and manufacturing tests and inspections.
• positioned so that the safety relief device will always vent the vapour space – if venting  does occur it should vent into a well ventilated area away from possible sources of ignition.

Unsafe Storage

Cylinders stored upside down do not allow venting from the vapour space.  Unless a cylinder is gas-free – i.e. flushed with an inert gas such as nitrogen – LP gas cylinders are to be treated as full cylinders.

Preventing Interaction with other Substances or Ignition Sources

Employers and occupiers of premises must ensure that LP gas cylinders are physically separated from other substances so that:

• interaction with other dangerous goods cannot occur if a loss of containment occurs

• the risks arising from ignition sources that may cause a serious incident are eliminated see clauses 174T and 174U of the OHS Regulation and AS/NZS 1596:2002 for Class 2.1 LP gas.

Placarding Requirements for Cylinder Storage

Placarding of storage areas is essential when the number of stored cylinders has a total volume in excess of 500 litres water capacity.

A nine kilogram cylinder (eg barbecue or caravan) has a water capacity of approximately 22 litres.  The water capacity of a cylinder can be determined by looking on the collar of the cylinder – the letters WC will be followed by a number designating litres or kilograms, this being the water capacity of the cylinder.  Twenty three of these cylinders will exceed the 500-litre water capacity quantity and will require external placarding of the premises with the “HAZCHEM” placard and placarding of the storage area with the Class 2.1 dangerous goods diamond.  For further information about the quantities of dangerous goods that require placarding, see schedule 5 of the OHS Regulation.

Safe Disposal or Recycling of LP Gas Cylinders

LP gas cylinders are not safe to be recycled unless they have been degassed, devalved, and may be punctured to indicate their ‘gas free’ status.  Pressurised LP gas cylinders that have not been decommissioned appropriately, should not be disposed of at waste transfer stations, metal recyclers, in garbage trucks or at landfill sites, as they present a danger when compacted.  They must be collected separately.  Under no circumstances should an unwanted LP gas cylinder be “buried” in business or household garbage collection bins.  This is a dangerous practice and is a risk to the health and safety of employees, the driver of the garbage truck, members of the public and to the vehicle itself, should the cylinder explode or ignite when the wast is compacted.

Unsafe Handling and Storage

Cylinders should be stored correctly.  Do not store like this.

Options for Safe Disposal

An exchange facility is a cylinder swap service, where you exchange your empty cylinder for a full, new or reconditioned cylinder.  Exchange facilities are located across Australia, in selected service stations and hardware stores, and at other locations such as caravan parks and convenience stores.  Many of these outlets will take unwanted cylinders and return them to the supply company, which will have the necessary procedures for their safe disposal.

Cylinder refilling depots - Refilling depots are usually owned by major gas suppliers, where you can have your own cylinder refilled.  Many of these depots have the necessary procedures for the safe disposal of cylinders.

Local dealers - Check with your local Council.

Waste and recycling centres - Waste transfer stations generally have a designated location for gas cylinders to be placed outside the normal waste stream.  Some gas suppliers and company-owned gas sites will accept cylinders for safe disposal.

For further information - http://www.environment.sa.gov.au