Title: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRANSPORTING CEMD GAS CYLINDERS UP AND DOWN STAIRS

Effective Date: August 05, 2005
Author: Graham Pearson

Reason for S.O.P.: This S.O.P. has been drafted to ensure the safe transportation of gas cylinders from room TAB 110 to TAB 205 for research applications.

Supervisory Approvals: JHSC, Brad Robinson - CEMD manager

Definitions

TEAM: 4 people fit to move cylinders through stairwell, each trained on SOP as well as compressed gas program located in RMM #504, and who have each attended gas cylinder training provided by EOHSS, and who wear closed toe footwear in accordance with RMM #312.

LEADER: One TEAM member responsible for supervision of bottle transport.

CEMD: Centre for Electrophotonic Materials and Devices

TAB: Tandem Accelerator Building (building 32)

RMM: Risk Management Manual

JHSC: Joint Health and Safety Committee

Related Documents

1. Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario
2. McMaster University RMM #504 - Compressed and liquified gases program
3. McMaster University RMM #312 - Foot protection program

Procedure

1. Cylinder is strapped into a 2-wheeled or 4-wheeled cylinder-transportation cart, as required.
2. The cart is rolled to the base of the staircase connecting TAB 110 and TAB 205. For transport up the stairs, the cart is to be under the care of a team of 4 people, each familiar with safe cylinder handling practices. One person will be identified as the leader of the team and will be responsible for clear communication within the team.
3. In order to lift the cart/cylinder assembly, two people grip hand-holds on the cart toward the base of the cylinder and two people grip hand-holds on the cart toward the top of the cylinder. In this manner the weight of the cylinder is evenly distributed and the cylinder and cart are lifted off the ground in unison, much like lifting a patient cradled in a stretcher.
4. The cylinder is then carried slowly up the steps. The walls of the stairwell may be used to provide the team additional stability.
5. The team will communicate with one another throughout the move in order identify needs to stop, rest, or reposition hands.
6. At the top of the stairs the cylinder and cart are lowered and wheeled into TAB 205 for unloading.
7. To transport empty cylinders out of TAB 205 and down stairs to TAB 110, the measures in steps 1 to 6 remain the same.

Contingency Plan and Reporting

1. In the event that a team member slips/falls/loses balance, other team members will stop forward momentum and allow fourth member to recover position. At leader's discretion, cylinder may be put down and steadied by remaining team members.
2. In the event that a gas cylinder ruptures, team members will immediately vacate stairwell via nearest safe exit and will act in accordance with RMM #1202 Hazardous Materials Spill Response Program.
3. In the event that a team member becomes injured, team will act in accordance with RMM #1204 First Aid/Medical Emergency Response Program.

References

1. McMaster University RMM #504 - Compressed and liquified gases program.
2. McMaster University RMM #312 - Foot protection program.
3. McMaster University RMM #1202 - Hazardous materials spill response program.
4. McMaster University RMM #1204 - First aid/medical emergency response program.
5. McMaster University RMM #301 - Standard operating procedure program.

SOP Distribution

JHSC
CEMD Growth Laboratory (TAB 110) and Characterization Laboratory (TAB 205)