Basic Safety Precautions Regarding Compressed Gases:

Compressed and liquified gases are hugely useful because of properties involving high heat output within combustion for a few gases, high reactivity in chemical processing along with other gases, very low temperatures available from a few gases, and the economy of handling them all in compact form at high pressure or low temperature.  These similar properties, therefore, also represent hazards if the gases are not handled along with full knowledge and care.

Practically all gases could act as easy asphyxiants through displacing the oxygen within air.  The chief precaution taken against this potential hazard is adequate ventilation of all enclosed areas in that unsafe concentrations might build up. A second precaution is to prevent entering unventilated areas which may hold high concentrations of gas without first putting on breathing apparatus along with a self-contained or hose-line air supply. A number of gases have features odors that could warn of their presence in air. Another's, therefore, such as the atmospheric gases, have no odor or color. Warning labels are needed for compressed and liquified gas shipping containers.  Same warning signs are placed at the approaches to areas within that the gases are regularly stored and used.

A few gases could also have a toxic effect on the human system, or other inhalation, by high vapor concentrations, or through liquified gas coming within contact along with the skin or the eyes.  Adequate ventilation of enclosed areas serves as the chief precaution against high concentrations of gas. Further, for strangely toxic gases, automatic devices could be purchased or built to monitor the gas concentration constantly and set off alarms if the concentration approaches a danger point.  Precautions against skin or eye contact along with liquified gases which are toxic or extremely cold, or both, involve thorough knowledge and training for all personnel handling like gases, the development of proper process and equipment for handling them, and special protective clothing and equipment (for instance, protective gloves, garments, and face shields).

With flammable gases, it is essential to guard against the possibility of fire or explosion. Ventilation, further to safe process and equipment to detect possible leaks, represents a main precaution against these hazards. Suitable fire extinguishing apparatus and preparation will limit damage if fire breaks out.  Care must also take to keep any flammable gas from reaching any source of ignition or heat (like as sparking electrical equipment, sparks struck through boiler rooms, ordinary tools, or open flames).