Q: We currently house our compressed gas cylinders in a storage cage and we use an outside vendor for service. We have no problems but we are interested in putting a lock on the storage cage. Can we lock the storage cage the compressed gas cylinders are in to prevent the vendor or anyone else to come in and out as they please? In other words, is there any OSHA regulation that states whether or not we can lock that storage unit?
A: OSHA does not clearly state whether locks are permitted or not permitted on storage areas. However, OSHA does state that the storage areas should be well-protected. This includes being protected from tampering by unauthorized persons. In the circumstance that you described locking the cage would be permitted and provide an added form of protecting the cylinders from tampering. Below is the OSHA regulation pertaining to this issue.
- 1910.253(b)(2)(ii) - Inside of buildings, cylinders shall be stored in a well-protected, well-ventilated, dry location, at least 20 (6.1 m) feet from highly combustible materials such as oil or excelsior. Cylinders should be stored in definitely assigned places away from elevators, stairs, or gangways. Assigned storage spaces shall be located where cylinders will not be knocked over or damaged by passing or falling objects, or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons. Cylinders shall not be kept in unventilated enclosures such as lockers and cupboards.
