New safety guidance for academic environments launched

A national trade body has provided new safety guidance for academic environments using compressed gases.

The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has produced the code of practice ‘CP47 The Safe Use of Individual Portable or Mobile Cylinder Gas Supply Equipment’ to give a comprehensive overview of the major safety factors.

It features guidance on the safe use, examination, inspection and maintenance of individual gas supply equipment controlled by a single cylinder mounted regulator.

Subjects covered include legislation and examination procedures, as well as an overview of the associated equipment, handling and storage.

Preparation and emergency procedures are also detailed, together with a schedule of inspection and maintenance.

Doug Thornton, Chief Executive of the BCGA, said: “Much of the information in CP47 was previously covered in a guidance note from the BCGA, GN7, The Safe Use of Individual Portable or Mobile Cylinder Gas Supply Equipment.

“CP47 now supersedes this document and its format as a code of practice means the information has been expanded to cover a more comprehensive subject area, which reflects the importance of this significant subject area.

“It also signposts readers to a wealth of other resources to help them make safe, informed decisions.

“This code of practice is of value to any industry or process where single gas cylinders are in use, such as laboratories as well as industrial, scientific and academic environments.

CP47 joins a wide range of respected documents available for free download from the association’s website within the publications area.

Mr Thornton added: “CP47 has been produced in accordance with the BCGA’s commitment to mission safety in the compressed gases industry.

“The compressed gases sector is the UK’s ‘invisible industry,’ with industrial, food and medical gases playing a critical role in many aspects of life, underpinning a safe, successful and healthy nation.

“Members of the BCGA operate in a highly-regulated industry and work together on technical, safety, health and environmental issues to achieve high standards of integrity and environmental care, both within their own and customers’ working environments.

“The BCGA’s mission is to ensure safety in the use, storage, transportation and handling of industrial, food and medical gases.

“Our respected publications are key to that and significant resources are deployed to bring each of our publications together.”

As well as its publications, the BCGA also actively promotes safety practice through its participation in the preparation and revision of National, European and International Standards.