Father witnesses two sons killed when moving an oxygen cylinder. There was no training and the adult sons were just trying to help.
Failing to follow basic cylinder handling procedures caused loss of life, damage and a large court fine. Uncapped cylinders fell over, causing a cascade effect.
Oxygen cylinders are used by professionals to help save lives and heal the injured. Oxygen is a life sustaining gas and the use of it can help heal when used properly. Oxygen cylinders are commonly seen in ambulances, hospitals, airplanes, care facilities, dive operations and persons’ private homes; places where it can be accessed quickly and easily when needed.
A deliver driver was moving a fully charged Oxygen cylinder for transport. The oxygen storage cylinder was 4.5 feet tall and pressurized to approximately 2000 psi. The driver was rolling the cylinder at a slant, using the base of the cylinder as a pivot point/rolling base. The valve was facing his abdomen. It is unknown for certain but likely was not capped.
Why do you get moisture in your compressor? Learn how to handle the inevitable and keep moisture from entering your cylinders.
Handling cylinders requires special care to avoid injury. Gas escaping from a cylinder can inject into a body part and create serious internal injuries. Protecting yourself from this type of injury can be as simple as distancing yourself from the cylinder.
