Compressed Gas Cylinders And Systems: Health And Safety Policy .

Page 7 of 37 6.3 Laboratory chemical and other experiments and workshop processes Soldering, welding and flame cutting for workshop, maintenance and construction activities Breathing apparatus (e.g. for diving, emergency rescue) Medical (patient or first aid treatment, e.g. with medical oxygen) and laboratory uses (e.g. for operation of experimental instruments and equipment) Dispensing beverages in catering outlets Fuel containers for vehicles (e.g. fork-lift trucks) Equipment for extinguishing fires Domestic and commercial heating and cooking Water treatment systems and devices The main hazards from compressed gas cylinders and systems are 6.4 Impact from the blast of a gas cylinder explosion or rapid release of compressed gas Impact from parts of gas cylinders or valves that fail, or any flying debris Contact with the released gas or fluid (e.g. chlorine, hot steam) and possible injection into the blood stream and acute toxic or other health hazard effects and/or acute / chronic damage to organs of the body Asphyxiation from the release of inert (e.g. argon) or oxygen depleting gases (e.g. gas evolving from liquefied nitrogen) in confined or semi-confined conditions Fire and creation of flammable atmospheres resulting from the escape of flammable gases or fluids (e.g. liquefied petroleum gas) Impact from falling cylinders Manual handling injuries from unsafe handling and transport of cylinders. Location Risk Controls 1. Due to the increased dangers, in the event of fire, associated with the use of standalone compressed gas cylinders located in buildings, the preferred method of providing compressed gases within QMUL buildings is via maintained piped systems attached to gas cylinders in secure, safe and well ventilated locations outside the building. 2. 3. Where this is not possible, For new buildings or major refurbishments this must be taken into account during the design stage by, for example, locating those rooms/laboratories requiring piped gas on the lower floors wherever possible. For new and existing buildings, gas cylinders can be located within buildings in purpose-built fire-resistant enclosures (with a minimum of 30 minute rated fire protection – see /QMUL HS 060 August -2012 Fire-Resisting-Cabinets-Technical-Standard.docx ). See circumstances where greater fire rated protection (e.g. 60 min or 90 min) may be required in sections 3 and 4. The following risk minimisation controls must also be considered and implemented where assessed as required: locating of cylinders away from escape routes QMUL/HS/113 H&S Policy Procedures and Guidance Compressed Gas Systems and Cylinders Jan 2020

Page 8 of 37 Flammable gases, such as hydrogen, sited away from sources of ignition and oxidising substances. Installation of sprinkler systems and/or fire damping or suppression systems although these can be difficult to retro-fit in existing buildings. Storage of reserve gas cylinders within buildings should be limited in favour of a rapid cylinder replacement service as far as practicable. Gas cylinders can often be replaced by gas generation systems. 4. Management Options for deciding on safest location: a risk based approach to the management of compressed gases combined with a hierarchy of management options for the supply of gas for laboratories and workshops at QMUL can be broadly expressed as follows: Gases generated in situ using propriety gas generators. Gas cylinders located outside of buildings in secure well-ventilated storage areas with gas piped to the areas of use. Gas cylinders stored outside of buildings and brought into the building only when needed. Further ‘in use’ and procedural risk controls are detailed in Appendix 1. 7. Roles and Responsibilities 7.1 QMUL Head of School or Directorate / Director of Institute It is the responsibility* of the Head of School / Directorate or Institute Director to ensure that; 1. Staff with supervisory and allocated health & safety responsibilities are appointed, trained and are competent for the work involving compressed gas systems and cylinders (e.g. responsible technical, laboratory officer or manager). 2. A framework for the School / Directorate / Institute is in place for the drafting, dissemination, implementation and review of risk assessment/s and local procedures (‘safe systems of work’) for work involving compressed gas systems and cylinders and for the involved facilities / infrastructure, in line with QMUL policy, arrangements and guidance. 3. Notification to HSD in advance of any installation and use of significantly higher risk compressed gases and systems such as flammable and toxic gas compressed gas systems so that appropriate advice can be given. QMUL planning processes already in place should be utilised – e.g. the QMUL Project Board system, the QMUL Long Term Maintenance planning system. QMUL/HS/113 H&S Policy Procedures and Guidance Compressed Gas Systems and Cylinders Jan 2020

Page 9 of 37 4. Appropriate resources are provided for compressed gas systems and cylinders, related infrastructure, equipment and consumables for the work in order to minimise risks to staff, students and others to a negligible level. 5. A system for the training of all users of compressed gas systems and cylinders is in place and that training is recorded (including training needs assessment, initial and refresher training). 6. All accidents and incidents (including near misses) involving compressed gas systems and cylinders are reported as per the QMUL Accident & Incident Policy, and local emergency response procedures are established. 7. Cooperation established with QMUL Estates & Facilities to conduct necessary planned preventative maintenance schemes for compressed gas systems. 8. If compressed gas systems are installed by an Academic School or Institute (outside the management of an Estates & Facilities (EAF) Capital Project), the School / Institute complies with all of the responsibilities listed for Estates & Facilities - Capital Projects. If maintained by an Academic School or Institute, the School / Institute complies with all of the responsibilities listed for Estates & Facilities - Infrastructure Maintenance below. Prior authorisation is required from the EAF Assistant Director concerned. 9. Where a QMUL School / Institute occupies ‘embedded space’ within another organisation’s premises, to ensure that risks arising from compressed gas systems and cylinder use and storage are communicated to the partner organisation/s in a suitable format, and actions are completed to minimise the identified risks. *Overall accountability cannot be delegated, although tasks associated with the responsibility can be delegated to a competent person (e.g. the responsible lab manager or the local safety officer). 7.2 QMUL Managers / Supervisors It is the responsibility* of a Manager / Supervisor** to ensure that: 1. Appropriate risk assessment/s for work with compressed gas systems and cylinders are made and recorded, and kept up to date by periodic review. Use the QMUL MySafety risk assessment module http://www.hsd.qmul.ac.uk/a-z/-mysafety/ 2. Following training needs assessment, users of compressed gas systems and cylinders receive appropriate training (initial and refresher). 3. Any health monitoring and surveillance measures for users of compressed gas systems are identified in the risk assessment and/or per HSE or healthcare professional guidance are implemented with QMUL Occupational Health assistance. 4. Working practices throughout the duration comply with applicable health & safety legislation requirements, QMUL and local written laboratory / facility rules, and where QMUL/HS/113 H&S Policy Procedures and Guidance Compressed Gas Systems and Cylinders Jan 2020

Page 10 of 37 applicable, manufacturer’s operating instructions and Written Scheme of Examination. 5. All risk control measures identified in the risk assessment/s and protocols are correctly set up, maintained and tested (where stipulated, via planned preventative maintenance) and that these control measures are locally checked and inspected periodically for effectiveness. 6. Where statutory planned preventative maintenance (PPM) tests are required, to ensure they are conducted within specified timescales, and records are available for QMUL and Regulatory Authority audits and inspections. 7. All accidents and incidents involving compressed gas systems and cylinders are reported as per the QMUL Accident & Incident Policy. 8. Local emergency and assistance procedures (e.g. gas escape and release emergency procedures, rescue procedures) are in place and that these are tested by a simulated (non-hazardous) exercise periodically for effectiveness. 9. Compressed gas hazard inventories are kept, updated and the building / campus security and fire information sheets in the fire ‘red box’ are kept up to date by regularly returning inventories to the Fire Safety Manager in HSD for updating 10. Ensure that all users are fully aware of applicable hazard warning systems (e.g. gas sensor / monitor and alarm system) and know how to respond safely in an emergency. 11. Maintain operating instructions and other documentation relating to compressed gas system and cylinder equipment where it can be readily accessed (electronically or hardcopy). 12. Where a defect / failure is identified with compressed gas system and cylinder equipment, to identify remedial or corrective actions and implement without delay. Where remedial action for a safety measure is not in their control, to report defects / failure to the appropriate QMUL department (e.g. Estates & Facilities) or in the case of embedded space, to the host organisation responsible person as soon as possible for action. 13. Do not use condemned or failed equipment or systems until full repair and safety checks have been satisfactorily made and that no unsolicited modifications are carried out to equipment or systems that are likely to render them unsafe. Have a Permit to Work system in place to ensure service engineer / maintenance operative safety during testing / servicing of equipment or systems and to ensure return of the system to a safe condition. See http://www.hsd.qmul.ac.uk/a-z/permit-to-work/ *Accountability cannot be delegated, although tasks associated with the responsibility can be delegated to a competent person (e.g. a lab manager). QMUL/HS/113 H&S Policy Procedures and Guidance Compressed Gas Systems and Cylinders Jan 2020

Page 11 of 37 **IMPORTANT NOTE: if an individual instructs or issues tasks to another individual or group of individuals, then whether a designated line manager/ supervisor or not, they become responsible for the health and safety of those they have instructed. 7.3 Users of compressed gas cylinders and systems at QMUL It is the responsibility of users of compressed gas cylinders and systems to ensure that they 1. Take reasonable care of their own health and safety, and that of others who may be affected by their work. This is achieved by following the local safety rules & instructions, understanding the risk assessment findings, attending mandatory and other appropriate training for the work, in line with QMUL Policy and arrangements. 2. To use all safety and protective equipment (equipment and/or personal protective) appropriately in line with manufacturer’s information and local risk assessment / instructions. 3. Know and understand the limitations for health and safety when working with compressed gas cylinders and systems, and know and understand safety critical features of equipment, personal protection and hazard warning alarms and emergency procedures. 4. Report all accidents and incidents involving compressed gas cylinders and systems as per the QMUL Accident & Incident Policy. 5. Report any defects with equipment or deficiencies in work practices to their Manager / Supervisor as soon as possible for remedial action. 6. Do not use failed or condemned equipment until they are repaired and fully fit for use. 7. Do not ignore or misuse anything provided for user health and safety during the work with compressed gas cylinders and systems (e.g. not to ignore oxygen depletion alarm or toxic gas alarm). 7.4 QMUL Estates & Facilities – Capital Projects and Infrastructure Maintenance A. It is the responsibility* of the Assistant Director of Estates & Facilities for Capital Projects to ensure that they 1. Select and employ competent contractors for the Capital Project installation in line with applicable QMUL policies and EMAP documents for contractors. 2. Ensure that a design risk assessments for new and refurbished installations and facilities for compressed gas cylinders and associated system is conducted and recorded 3. Ensure that any compressed gas cylinder and system installed or re-fitted as part of a Capital Project is in accordance with the health and safety regulations and appropriate industry/sector standards noted in sections 3 and 14. QMUL/HS/113 H&S Policy Procedures and Guidance Compressed Gas Systems and Cylinders Jan 2020

Page 12 of 37 4. Ensure that suitable commissioning of the compressed gas system is carried out and that the relevant commissioning documentation (including where applicable, the Written Scheme of Examination) is provided to the Campus Maintenance Manager, Facility Manager or other responsible person. 5. Ensure that the complete handover documentation is forwarded to Estates Infrastructure Maintenance, and that details of any newly installed compressed gas systems are entered on the QMUL insurance register. 6. Ensure that users receive appropriate training in the operation of relevant parts of the installation. *Accountability cannot be delegated, although tasks associated with the responsibility can be delegated to a competent person (e.g. a Project Manager). B. It is the responsibility* of the Assistant Director of Estates & Facilities for Infrastructure Maintenance to ensure that they 1. Select and employ competent contractors for maintenance work in line with applicable QMUL policies for contractors. 2. Ensure that any compressed gas cylinder and system installed or re-fitted as part of a maintenance project is in accordance with the health and safety regulations and appropriate industry/sector standards noted in sections 3 and 14. 3. Have planned preventative maintenance (PPM) plans in place for compressed gas systems within their remit for local inspections and checks, statutory testing and where required, servicing and repairs. That they are conducted within specified timescales, and records are available for QMUL and Regulatory Authority audits and inspections. 4. Have a Permit to Work system in place to ensure service engineer / examiner safety during testing / servicing and to ensure return of the system in a safe condition. . 5. Maintain operating instructions and other documentation relating to compressed gas systems within their remit where it can be readily accessed (electronically or hardcopy). 6. Ensure that connected systems to the compressed gas installation (e.g. a laboratory incubator) owned and maintained by a School, Institute or another Directorate are compatible to be connected and establish an agreed procedure documenting the responsibilities of each department. *Accountability cannot be delegated, although tasks associated with the responsibility can be delegated to a competent person (e.g. Campus Maintenance Manager). 7.5 QMUL Health & Safety Directorate It is the responsibility of the Health & Safety Directorate to 1. Provide QMUL with Health & Safety Policy and Guidance, tools and templat

Health & Safety Directorate Compressed Gas Cylinders and Systems: Health and Safety Policy, Procedures and Guidance for QMUL (Ref: QMUL_HS_113) . 5.4 Gas Cylinder: a pressure receptacle or vessel, which includes a cryogenic receptacle, bundle of cylinders as well as cylinders themselves, plus the valve(s) or