How many gas bottles do you handle and store at your worksite? Even worksites with small quantities have obligations under Australian WHS legislation. This blog looks at AS4332-2004 - The storage and handling of gases in cylinders and the criteria for ‘minor storage’ — a classification of worksites that hold smaller quantities of compressed gases, but still have storage and handling obligations.
What is Australian Standard AS4332-2004?
Australian Standard AS4332-2004 sets out the requirements and recommendations for safely storing and handling compressed gases in cylinders. The Standard applies to all locations; but generally they will be industrial, commercial or rural worksites.
The Standard is divided into 8 sections and each section is applied to your workplace based on how many cylinders you hold.
Only residential premises that store less than 10% of the maximum quantities allowable for ‘minor storage’ are exempt from the requirements of the Standard.
“The Standard applies to gases that are classified as Class 2 substances in the ADG Code (i.e. gases that are compressed, liquefied or dissolved under pressure, including refrigerated liquefied gases, mixtures of one or more gases with vapours or liquids of substances of other classes, articles charged with a gas and aerosols having a capacity of greater than 1 L. “
AS4332-2004 SECTION 1.1 SCOPE
What is ‘minor storage’?
If your workplace holds less than 2,000 litres of gas, you’re classed as ‘minor storage’. The 2,000 litres is the aggregate quantity of all gases held onsite, and if any of the gases exceed the quantities listed below, the worksite is no longer considered ‘minor storage’ and the full standard applies.
For example, if your worksite stores 60 litres of Class 2.3 Toxic Gas and no other gases, it is NOT minor storage and the full Standard will apply.
Even though minor storage may indicate that quantities of gas cylinders are so small, scattered or separated they present little real risk or add to a building’s fire load, there are still storage and handling requirements applicable to your workplace under the Standard. These include:
IMPORTANT: Section 5.3 of the Standard also applies to ‘Minor Storage’. For full details why not download our free eBook Gas Cylinder Storage: Compliance and safety requirements which presents the requirements in easy-to-read text along with real world examples and case studies.
Special considerations apply to workplaces that hold and store gas bottles but are visited by the general public. Some of these requirements include:
If you are a WHS Manager or supervisor responsible for the safe storage and compliance of Dangerous Goods at your worksite, we recommend you download our free eBook Cylinder Storage: Compliance and safety requirements. We outline the requirements AS4332-2004 - The storage and handling of gases in cylinders and introduce a risk management methodology — for safely introducing control measures to minimise the harm associated with compressed gases stored in cylinders. Download it today by clicking on the image below: