High pressure gas bottles can be dangerous if not handled and stored correctly.
A full gas bottle can actually become a rocket that will punch through cinder block walls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ht2dxfVtROQ
Even an “empty” gas bottle will often have 150 psi in it. That is ten times atmospheric pressure, enough to propel smaller objects with great force.
And even if the cylinder holds pressure, it is inherently a tall, heavy, unstable object. One would easily break bones if it toppled over onto someone’s foot.
Rules for Gas Bottle Handling:
Before it is moved, a gas bottle should be closed, its regulator de-pressurized then removed, and a cap screwed on over the top. One should only be moved while strapped to a cart, either the welding carts or the new gas bottle cart. Rolling a free cylinder on its end, while possible, is discouraged.
Gas bottles must always be secured with straps or chains when stored. They can be kept on the welding carts, in the rack on the wall by the garage door, or in the gas cylinder cart. I’ve gotten two additional sets of chains so that cylinders can be strapped in front of the rack when it is full, as shown below. Never leave a gas bottle standing unsecured, not even for a moment. Keep hands on it from the moment it is unchained until it is rechained in its new place.
Gas bottle stored in front of the rack with new chains:
Note the additional chains hanging on the wall above and to the right of the rack.
Gas bottle on the new gas bottle cart:
