Osha

[drivesector]

I'm sure nobody wants to call OSHA and say "Hey what can I do" Because they will crawl up your a**So I am asking here. What can I do? How do I have to store welding tanks in a factory environment? Is there any requirement for full tanks? Empty tanks? How about carrying a Argon and or C02/ Oxy or acetylene on a personal trailer
does D.O.T stop you or can I carry them secured with no problem?
I know there are regulations but looking at O.S.H.A web site you have to be a lawyer. At least in my opinion. I just don't want to kill anybody I am more concerned about personal transportation in a trailer than anything.

[zapster]

look around at other service trucks...
tanks are chained to some immovable object

i know that in a building they must be chained to a wall
nothing free standing..:nono:

cant be easily tipped over...

...zap!

[Dipper Welder64]

check this link
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=10696

[drivesector]

Thanks Dipper

[wannabe_welder]

Basically, tanks in a factory environment must be secured so they can't be knocked over, whether they are being used or stored. Tanks not in use have to be capped. Depending on the gases, sometimes separation of tanks is required and areas where tanks are stored may need to meet specific ventalation requirements.

[drivesector]

Nice link, Thank you.

[Kalroy]

Don't forget to segregate oxidizers from flammables, and you can mix and match inerts. It's a good idea to segregate full from empty simply because it makes supply easier. One other thing, store acetylene upright.

[ls1ta]

D-Word D-Word D-Word D-Word D-Word

This reminds me, I did that 11 hour OSHA b.s, and I've never recieved my blue card, from my school.

F-Word F-Word F-Word F-Word F-Word

[tresi]

D-Word D-Word D-Word D-Word D-Word

This reminds me, I did that 11 hour OSHA b.s, and I've never recieved my blue card, from my school.

F-Word F-Word F-Word F-Word F-Word

Don't be too worried by that. The opinion of the osha guys around here is that you must receive your training in your work enviroment. Plainly stated what you were thought in school or your last job doesn't count. Each and every employer is responsible for your safety training from step one.

[ls1ta]

Don't be too worried by that. The opinion of the osha guys around here is that you must receive your training in your work enviroment. Plainly stated what you were thought in school or your last job doesn't count. Each and every employer is responsible for your safety training from step one.

Hmm. Thanks for letting me know that. I'm not so mad anymore. :drinkup:

[whitehendrix!]

you CAN call osha and talk to them without having to divulge info if you wish to talk to a live person.
you're not forced to say what you do and who ya work for.. :)



i use a similar trick when i call the cops to run motor VINs for bikes. the cops aren't gonna know me or where i live, so if my customer bought a stolen motor off ebay unknowingly, i can save alot of hassle by knowing what i'm dealing with and making the right calls from then on out. (luckily for me, thats never happened ..yet)

if its a small shop, less than 10 people, osha doesn't conduct inspections unless something really bad happens.

i have a cousin thru marriage (and shes stupid hot, as well..hehe) thats some big shot at osha. she's told me a few things i needed to know.. just as well, i worked at a paper mill at the time someone was crushed and killed (on my shift, no less :( ).. so, i learned alot more than i knew prior as well. they were up our ares sideways with no lube. it was bad. (being that wasn't the first caualty there..)

good lnk tho.. that saves alot of work.. just wanted to throw my .002 in..

[eyeball engineer]

one thing I can say about OSHA is that they will be coming out of the wood work, now that government and other state and federal organizations are probably hurting for money, they'll be out for simple $hit like pressure vessel permits and other things you may never have heard about to collect, we just had a guy stop by the other day for directions, he ended up spending the whole day at my work lookin around, they got 1500 bucks for the compressor permits, there a 150 each, good for 5 years, and they haven't been by for 15 years:dizzy:. figures

[drivesector]

As for the compressor permits you are 100% correct. I had a guy come down from the Department of Public Safety one day a few months back. He started walking around without telling anyone. I saw him in an area that only maintenance is allowed so I went in to kick him out. He said he is from the state and he is conducting a audit on my compressor. He would have told me he was coming but he was driving down the street and didn't realize we were here.

I also got written up by the fire department 3 weeks ago because I didn't take the regulators off of my tanks and cap my tanks every time I am done welding, I didn't even know that was a rule. They have also hit me with having to get a permit (Hot work Permit) threw the town good for 1 area in my facility for Mig, Tig, and gas welding. This permit of course has to be renewed every year and the fire Chief has to come and inspect the “Welding Area” upon renewal.

I knew stored tanks had to be caped and secured to the wall. I didn't know tanks on the welder had to have the regulators taken off and recapped when not in use. That in itself has been a major pain in the *** for me and the guys that work for me.

I have to say they make it harder and harder to do your job everyday.

Drivesector

[Supe]

Those must be Mass. specific rules. Do they think that facilities that run gases using a manifold system remove and cap them every night?

[jrw159]

Drivesector,
Here is a link to a very good consultation service. They are free, and well versed in the OSHA regulations/requirements. Their people take the same courses side by side with OSHA inspectors. They do not report to OSHA so there is no need to fear an OSHA inspection as a result of utilizing this free service. We used them and it was very benificial.

http://www.oshcon.com/

jrw159

[A_DAB_will_do]

Just a quick add-on Zap. I know they make OSHA approved 'collars'that you can use to secure tanks without chaining them to a wall. They're expensive, but they are convienent when you can't chain a tank up.

Also note: When chaining tanks up, do not weld the chain to the tank. The safety guy at my previous employer caught some knucklehead trying to do this very thing...:dizzy:

look around at other service trucks...
tanks are chained to some immovable object

i know that in a building they must be chained to a wall
nothing free standing..:nono:

cant be easily tipped over...

...zap!

[Larry75]

I'm sure nobody wants to call OSHA and say "Hey what can I do" Because they will crawl up your a**So I am asking here. What can I do? How do I have to store welding tanks in a factory environment? Is there any requirement for full tanks? Empty tanks? How about carrying a Argon and or C02/ Oxy or acetylene on a personal trailer
does D.O.T stop you or can I carry them secured with no problem?
I know there are regulations but looking at O.S.H.A web site you have to be a lawyer. At least in my opinion. I just don't want to kill anybody I am more concerned about personal transportation in a trailer than anything.


Actually this is no longer true. In 1970 NO ONE wanted OSHA around, but today you can call and talk with an inspector without fear. IN FACT many of us participate in OSHA VPP program with major sucess in lowering our recordable injuries and illness rates.
http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/vpp/index.html
:cool2:

[Kangi]

I can't speak to the DOT requirements but fuel and oxidizer cylinders must be stored (full or empty) at least 30 feet apart or with at least a 1/4" steel barrier, and secured in an upright position. In some industrial settings clam shell caps are required to protect the valves.

[paweldor]

Little off the original thread subject, but, it's about OSHA.

A few years ago, a news reporter was traveling by a local animal feed mill. The maintenance foreman was on an extension ladder, which was in a large front end loader with it's bucket fully raised. He was changing a security light bulb and his ladder wasn't long enough. The reporter thought that was a neat "git er done" thing. Took a picture and printed it in the paper.

OSHA visited the mill and tore them a new butt.

I've had my run ins with them also on jobs I was the Sub-Contractor. PITA.

[Meat man]

OSHA also has a clause for proper storage when an O/A setup is not in "use". I'd have to search out the offical citation, but more or less it says that O/A regulators must be removed from the bottles and the bottles properly capped and stored if the rig is not being used "routinely". There's a letter of interpretation that states "routinely" is 24 hours or less.

[Broccoli1]

OSHA also has a clause for proper storage when an O/A setup is not in "use". I'd have to search out the offical citation, but more or less it says that O/A regulators must be removed from the bottles and the bottles properly capped and stored if the rig is not being used "routinely". There's a letter of interpretation that states "routinely" is 24 hours or less.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owaquery.query_docs?src_doc_type=INTERPRETATIONS&src_anchor_name=1926.350(a)(10)&src_ex_doc_type=STANDARDS&src_unique_file=1926_0350

[Jim Riley]

This thread helped me with our shop safety standards and the misinformation that has been floating around::

On OF rigs, OSHA has different standards for general use and construction.

See: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25356

From thread: http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=22591&highlight=osha+letter