The storage of potentially unsafe materials falls under this type of risk mitigation.  Keeping workers secure from the dangers presented by specified types of substances, gases or other matter means more than just removing access.  It involves understanding the makeup of the agents themselves, the situations in which they could potentially become destructive, and the regulatory protocols that have been set up to diminish the likelihood of an disaster taking place.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has recently published a Direct Final Rule regarding the acetylene industry that addresses outmoded statues covering the use, storage and management and transport of cylinders containing this dangerous gas.  Becoming directive in force November 2009, the appended guidelines are meant to enhance the safety of your workforce who frequently handle acetylene.

The fresh policies make it unambiguous that risk managers are required that their workplaces align to the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1-2003, Acetylene.   A key stipulation of this guide changes the situations in which acetylene cylinders should be stored.  Previously, it was not uncommon for cylinders to be transported from one place to another in enclosed spaces, be they car trunks, sealed trucks or possibly even in corrals.  Companies were also allowed to store acetylene cylinders in unventilated lockers, closets, drawers or small storage rooms.  These practices dated back to 1966, when acetylene storage statues were last appended.

This later habit is no longer allowed, due to the explosion and detonation threat posed by potential gas buildup from leaking cylinders.  In order to put a stop to this type of catastrophe from taking place, a new requirement that acetylene cylinders be left in well-ventilated lockers or cabinets have been put into position.  Examples of the satisfactory type of gas cylinder storage units include Justrite aluminum cylinder lockers, which feature an wide open grille layout and numerous configurations to permit horizontal, vertical or mixed storage.  The aluminum construction also makes the lockers resistant to oxidization, making them appropriate for service on open-air areas where burglary of cylinders is a problem.

Fire-resistant safety cabinets are not suitable for acetylene cylinder storage.  Although these units may appear to afford safety against potential explosion, their air-tight restrictions can in fact contribute towards the buildup of hazardous leaked gas pressures, escalating risks notwithstanding their sturdy construction.  The volatility and unstable nature of acetylene gas means that no chances ought to be taken during storage.  The appended OSHA protocols ought to upgrade employee safety across a wide range of industries, specifically those where large-scale welding is a ordinary activity.