Storage of welding devices

[EOIT]

Hello All,

Recently we had an audit done by safety 'experts' and were cited for several items during the inspection that were fairly routine, missing signs, housekeeping issues, etc but one above all is giving us some problems.

The auditor noted that our oxygen and acetylene bottles for our welding equipment were stored on the same cart. The cylinders not in use were properly stored but the ones that are on a portable cart were not spaced properly which caused the citation.

Their recommendation was that after the cart is used the bottles should be removed and stored in different locations or with a specific barrier separating them adequately in case of fire.

Although we know that the excuse 'this is the way we always did it' is not acceptable, none of the engineers in the office have ever seen a shop dismantle their equipment after every use.

Any help on specific regulations or codes that allow the welding rig to remain together between uses would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Rich2001]

Take the stance that by dismantling the bottle arrangement after each use would increase the employees' exposure to unsafe conditions, exemplia gratia; cross-threading resulting in leakage, fire and explosions.