lorenzo
Member
- Messages
- 151
I didn't see a safety forum to post stuff like this in, sorry if this isn't the correct area to post this.
How many people actually check the connection between the valve on a tank and the regulator.... or the reg to hose..... or even the hose to the tool?
I never used to really pay much attention to this myself. I would just change out the bottle throw on the reg, tighten it up and away I went.
Not anymore!!!!
Over the past couple of years I began checking my connections for leaks after I sprayed some soapy water on my regulator to clean it, at the same time the soapy solution covered the valve and nut causing the solution to bubble up. To my surprise I had a leak. I checked the nut it was tight.... took it apart polished up the seat on the nut put it back together and still a leak... I really cranked down on it and it stopped. Called the supplier and they credited me a bottle of gas after they picked it up and determined that the valve was no good.
So I kinda sort of started checking connections a bit more than I had in the past...... until these last 2 times.
In the past couple of months I have found 2 acetylene tanks with bad valves.... I use the big bottles AC5. One I found again while cleaning the gauge. I decided to check the valve and I found that the valve itself was leaking at the stem under the handle...... I tightened up the seat nut and the leak was gone. Even after this it seemed I wasn't checking my equipment as well as I should have been.
Here's where I changed my policy about this...... The other day I was working on a bucket. I had been doing some cutting and grinding. Now I generally keep my tanks at a distance from where I'm working.... trying to keep them out of my work zone.
So i'm grinding away, I have my clear visor on and out of the corner of my eye something caught my attention. I stop grinding, lift my visor, turn toward my cutting rig and "HOLY ****!!!!!" the valve on my acetylene tank is on fire. I freaked, do I run or shut it off? I chose to shut it off..... which took care of the situation. In the end it was another bad valve on the tank.
That was it...... that is the last time a bottle, no matter what the gas is, gets changed without being checked for leaks in my shop again. I have written it into the safety procedure for the shop and it will be followed.
A plastic spray bottle costs 2 bucks and so does a bottle of Dawn or whatever liquid soap you want..... and this bottle gets place next to the tank rack. When a cylinder get changed out you check it if there is a problem the cylinder or the reg get tagged, a super is informed, try it again.
Take the time and check things out........ you're only protecting yourself..... and the people around you!
How many people actually check the connection between the valve on a tank and the regulator.... or the reg to hose..... or even the hose to the tool?
I never used to really pay much attention to this myself. I would just change out the bottle throw on the reg, tighten it up and away I went.
Not anymore!!!!
Over the past couple of years I began checking my connections for leaks after I sprayed some soapy water on my regulator to clean it, at the same time the soapy solution covered the valve and nut causing the solution to bubble up. To my surprise I had a leak. I checked the nut it was tight.... took it apart polished up the seat on the nut put it back together and still a leak... I really cranked down on it and it stopped. Called the supplier and they credited me a bottle of gas after they picked it up and determined that the valve was no good.
So I kinda sort of started checking connections a bit more than I had in the past...... until these last 2 times.
In the past couple of months I have found 2 acetylene tanks with bad valves.... I use the big bottles AC5. One I found again while cleaning the gauge. I decided to check the valve and I found that the valve itself was leaking at the stem under the handle...... I tightened up the seat nut and the leak was gone. Even after this it seemed I wasn't checking my equipment as well as I should have been.
Here's where I changed my policy about this...... The other day I was working on a bucket. I had been doing some cutting and grinding. Now I generally keep my tanks at a distance from where I'm working.... trying to keep them out of my work zone.
So i'm grinding away, I have my clear visor on and out of the corner of my eye something caught my attention. I stop grinding, lift my visor, turn toward my cutting rig and "HOLY ****!!!!!" the valve on my acetylene tank is on fire. I freaked, do I run or shut it off? I chose to shut it off..... which took care of the situation. In the end it was another bad valve on the tank.
That was it...... that is the last time a bottle, no matter what the gas is, gets changed without being checked for leaks in my shop again. I have written it into the safety procedure for the shop and it will be followed.
A plastic spray bottle costs 2 bucks and so does a bottle of Dawn or whatever liquid soap you want..... and this bottle gets place next to the tank rack. When a cylinder get changed out you check it if there is a problem the cylinder or the reg get tagged, a super is informed, try it again.
Take the time and check things out........ you're only protecting yourself..... and the people around you!