Be Safe with Acetylene

BE SAFE WITH ACETYLENE
IMPORTANT
This poster helps to identify hazards with using
acetylene and help reduce risks of incidents before
proceeding to use acetylene for cutting and welding.
Only use Acetylene when you are certain about your
safety and the safety of others. Acetylene is the most
common gas used for fuelling cutting torches.
Industry standards
When mixed with pure oxygen in a cutting torch
assembly, an acetylene flame can reach a temperature
of ~3100ºC. Acetylene is highly flammable and
explosive, colourless and lighter than air. Acetylene has
a garlic-like smell. Acetylene is shipped and transported
in specially designed cylinders, filled with a porous
EXPLOSIVE
FLAMMABLE
Acetylene is very easy to ignite. In fact, a static
spark is sufficient to ignite acetylene. The static
charge developed by walking across a carpet floor
on a dry day can be 1000 times greater than that
needed to ignite acetylene.
Acetylene burns at a very fast rate, and the flame
reaches a high temperature compared to other
fuels. This can accelerate the rate at which pressure
is generated in an explosion.
The damage to this vehicle was caused by the opening of a door,
whilst an acetylene cylinder was kept inside with no ventilation.
material and containing acetone to dissolve and
stabilise the acetylene. Many users may not be aware
of the unique characteristics of acetylene that create
special hazards compared to other fuel gases, such as
hydrogen, LPG, etc.
CHEMICALLY UNSTABLE
This also makes acetylene explosions more violent
than those of other fuels.
Acetylene is chemically unstable, which makes
it very sensitive to conditions such as excess
pressure, excess temperature, static electricity or
mechanical shock. If acetylene is exposed to any
of these conditions, it can undergo a violent and
explosive decomposition reaction. Acetylene is a
simple asphyxiant and anaesthetic. Exposure to
high concentrations of acetylene can cause loss of
coordination and unconsciousness
• Australian Standard AS4289 Oxygen and acetylene
gas reticulation systems.
• ANZIGA Safety Information Transporting gas
cylinders or cryogenic liquid receptacles in vehicles.
• Detailed technical information is available from your
gas supplier.
COMPATIBILITY
Acetylene forms explosive compounds with copper,
brass containing more than 70% copper, copper
salts, mercury/mercury salts, silver/silver salts and
nitric acid.
This man was injured as a result of an acetylene explosion. He had
been welding and the flame started to sputter, so he loosened the
valve, and then the cylinder burst into flames.
ALWAYS
• Close the cylinder valve when the cylinder is
NOT in use
• Close the cylinder valve before shutting off the
regulator, to permit the gas to bleed from the
regulator
• Detach the regulator, hose and torch from the
cylinder before transit
• Carefully remove leaking cylinders from storage
to a ventilated area and away from sources of
ignition, and notify the supplier
• Evacuate the area if a cylinder is burning
or abnormally hot. Call the fire brigade
immediately and consult the supplier for expert
advice
• Inspect equipment, including hoses, regulators,
valves, and other assemblies to ensure that they
are in good working condition and free of oil
before each use
• Check for gas leaks when preparing to begin
welding/cutting operations by listening and
using an approved soapy solution to check for
leaks
• Ensure that a combination back flow stoppers/
flashback arrestor is installed between the
regulator and the hose if the torch does NOT
have one built into its handle
• Open cylinder valves slowly
• Use a pressure regulator with the proper
pressure range, and that is designed for use
with acetylene.
• Verify that the material used is compatible with
acetylene
• Protect Acetylene cylinders from violent impacts
such as dropping them off a vehicle. Think of
using a trolley to move cylinders
• Respect acetylene, oxygen (and other
compressed gases) because they have inherent
hazards that are NOT always obvious.
• Refer to the relevant Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS)
• Be responsible when using compressed gas
• Keep cylinders in an upright position and
restrained
• Store oxygen cylinders away from flammable
gas cylinders
• Use equipment which is in good working
condition and specifically designed for the
relevant compressed gas
• Wear appropriate clothing and protective
equipment
• Keep a Dry Chemical Powder Fire Extinguisher
near. Carbon dioxide is NOT recommended as
it can generate static electricity.
• Ensure adequate ventilation in the work area
• Keep hoses, cables, and other equipment clear
of passageways, stairs, ladders, etc.
• Contact your supplier (or a competent person)
when information is required on the safe use of
acetylene
• Ensure that “empty” containers DO NOT
contain flammable vapours or any residues
that might burn or give off flammable or toxic
vapours before cutting or welding
• Read the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
DO NOT
• Leave cylinders inside vehicles
• Transport acetylene cylinders in enclosed
vehicles, including those with tarpaulin covers,
unless the recommendations in the ANZIGA
Safety Information “Transporting Gas Cylinders
or Cryogenic Receptacles in Vehicles” are met
• Transport acetylene cylinders together with
highly combustible loads such as wood chips or
paper
• Tamper with or attempt to repair cylinder valves
or fusible plugs
• Attempt to move a cylinder that is burning or
abnormally hot. DO NOT approach such a
cylinder as it may explode
Australia New Zealand Industrial Gas
Association
ABN 80 003 067 178
PO Box 288
Chatswood NSW 2057 Australia
200 Alexandra Parade
Fitzroy VIC 3065 Australia
Telephone: +61 3 9418 3949
Facsimile: +61 3 9418 3940
Email: office@anziga.org
• Use equipment if faulty, damaged, cracked or
deteriorating. Have it repaired or replaced.
• Use acetylene at pressures higher than 1.5 bar
(150 kPa) as it can become unstable
• Allow acetylene gas to come in contact with
unalloyed copper
• Use a flame for leak checking OR adjust fittings
unless depressurised first
• Lift cylinders by the valve
• Allow acetylene gas to come in contact with
copper, except in a torch. Copper piping must
not be used for acetylene reticulation systems.
• Stand directly in front of the regulator while
opening
• Grind near Acetylene
• Play practical jokes, skylark, or put any person
at risk with acetylene. Practical jokes are highly
dangerous and they have caused serious injury
and death
• Use flexible hose and/or pipeline that are not
compatible with acetone
• Use silver brazing unless a procedure designed
for silver brazing with acetylene is followed.
Consult your gas supplier.
• Crack open valve to blow off the plastic blue
plug to test contents or pressure to drive dirt or
moisture from valve etc
Member companies in Australia
Air Liquide Australia Limited
380 St. Kilda Road
Melbourne VIC 3004 Australia
Adelaide: (08) 8209 3600
Brisbane: (07) 3246 6363
Darwin: (08) 8947 1184
Launceston: (03) 6334 9666
Melbourne: (03) 9290 1100
Perth: (08) 9329 1234
Sydney: (02) 9892 9777
Air Liquide Healthcare: (02) 9364 7474
BOC Limited
Riverside Corporate Park
10 Julius Ave
North Ryde NSW 2113 Australia
Telephone: 131 262
Facsimile: 132 427
Emergency Number: 1800 653 572
Coregas Gas Pty Ltd
66 Loftus Road
Yennora NSW 2161 Australia
Telephone: 1800 807 203
Member companies in New Zealand
Air Liquide
BOC Limited
New Zealand Limited
988 Great South Road
19 Maurice Road
Penrose Auckland New Zealand
Penrose Auckland New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 111 333
Telephone: 09 622 3880
Facsimile: 0800 229 923
Facsimile: 09 622 3881
Emergency Services: 111
Emergency Services: 111
This publication contains information sourced by ANZIGA from its members and third parties. The information is summary in nature and intended only as a guide or overview. While ANZIGA has taken care to ensure the accuracy of the
information, you should not rely on the information as being suitable for your particular circumstances. The information is also not intended to replace any training required by the regulatory authorities or which may generally be desirable.
Legislation and approved standards concerning the subject matter of this publication may apply. You should obtain appropriate legal or technical advice and you should also refer to the applicable legislation and any relevant approved
standards to ensure compliance with your legal obligations. To the extent permitted at law, ANZIGA in its own right and on behalf of its members expressly disclaims liability for all loss, including damage to or loss of property, personal injury,
death and economic loss, that may arise as a result of negligence, or other tort, or breach of statutory or contractual obligation, on the part of ANZIGA or any of its members in the preparation, circulation and distribution of this publication.