Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420:front:0:p27
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 71550–74389

can cause damage to plant and equipment, such as containers, pipes, fixtures and fittings. Corrosion can lead to leaks or complete failure and loss of containment of the chemical, resulting in serious damage to property, exposure of workers to the hazardous chemicals and potential injury and death.

Compressed gases
Compressed and liquefied gases are used as fuel, a source of oxygen or as shielding gases in certain types of welding. The hazards associated with compressed and liquefied gases include fire, explosion, toxicity, asphyxiation, oxidation and uncontrolled release of pressure. Gas leakage is one of the greatest hazards.
Cylinders contain large volumes of gas under high pressure and precautions need to be taken when storing, handling and using cylinders.

Asphyxiation hazards
Asphyxia is a condition that occurs where there is lack of oxygen. This can occur either through:
    * consumption of oxygen in the air (burning of fuel, or oxidation process such as microbial activity or rusting)
    * an accumulation of gases displacing oxygen in air
    * inhalation of the chemical affecting the ability of the body to use oxygen (for example, hydrogen cyanide can asphyxiate a person by binding to haemoglobin in the blood following inhalation).
All gases, including fuel gases (for example, hydrogen, acetylene and liquid petroleum gas)
and inert gases (for example, argon, helium and nitrogen) are an asphyxiation hazard in high concentrations.
Too little oxygen in the air that we breathe can cause fatigue and in extreme cases death. Using compressed and liquefied gases can result in dangerously low levels of oxygen. For example, gases that are heavier than air can accumulate in low lying areas such as pits, wells and cellars and gases that are lighter than air can accumulate in high areas such as roof spaces and lofts. Working in an enclosed or confined space with inadequate ventilation, where hazardous vapours can accumulate, is a potential asphyxiation hazard.
You should identify possible causes of asphyxiation in your workplace. In welding and allied processes, asphyxiation can occur from gas slowly leaking in a work area.

Compressed air
Compressed air can be hazardous and should be handled carefully by workers. For example, the sudden release of gas can cause hearing damage or even rupture an eardrum. Compressed air can also deeply penetrate the skin resulting in an air bubble in the blood stream known as an embolism. Even a small quantity of air or other gas in the blood can be fatal.
Ensuring workers are trained to handle compressed air properly can eliminate many of the associated risks. Training and work procedures should emphasise the safe use of air tools and safeguard against the deliberate misuse of compressed air. Also, maintaining air receivers properly prevents the potential