Rank: Forum user 
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The last three companies I have worked for have lockable compounds for storing gas bottles, invariably these would be unlocked. Following another audit yesterday when the compound was once again unlocked I was asked the question is there a need for the compound be locked, other than preventing unauthorised use of the gas bottles I was stumped for an answer. Is there any legislation or guidance that states that gas storage compounds should be locked, or is it just good practise?
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Rank: Super forum user
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They are usually locked to prevent pilferage and theft by certain elements of society.
Other than that it would be as per your fire risk assessment. A school, open plan site, shared facility / yard etc would need greater security than say a fully fenced site with perimeter security.
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Rank: Super forum user
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Carol
You might want to look at the LP Gas Association Code of Practice 7 - Storage of Full and Empty LPG Cylinders and Cartridges. Unfortunately these Codes are quite expensive.
Whether the compound needs to be locked is down to your risk assessment, but the code does make reference to access to the storage area and that this should not be possible for the general public or unauthorised person.
Brian
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Rank: Super forum user
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There are loads of good reasons that might apply if think that locking the compound is a good idea.
These include:
• Stopping pilfering
• Stopping tampering
• Make sure that the gases are store correctly - so that nobody puts an oxygen cylinder in the fuel gases and vis a versa
• Ensuring that they are secure and don’t fall on top of people
• Etc.
What I want to know is why people find locking and unlocking compounds and stores such a drag? Are these the same people who insist on leaving override keys in autoclaves and the like?
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Rank: Forum user
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It brings us back to that same old chesnut of Safety being led from the top to ensure Positive Safety Culture. If you are not going to enforce the rules and discipline/incentify against them then there is no accountability and ownership.
If it is led from the top, it will happen.
If there was deemed a good reason to put locks on to prevent/reduce risk, and that risk has not changed yet the control measure not adequately managed.... guess what.. it won't work!
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Rank: Super forum user
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We've had advise from both our insurance assessors and a HSE Inspector that they should be locked at all times apart from when bottles being moved in and out to ensure that any employee not authorised to change gas over etc...doesn't have access to said cages.
Obviously this causes the problem that we don't want to give everyone a key...
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Rank: Forum user
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Thanks for your responses. The problem came about because 2 departments were sharing the same compound and blaming each other for leaving it open. The gas supplier has agreed to let us have another compound foc so each department has, and will be responsible for, their own gas storage areas. Fingers crossed they will now be kept locked!!
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Rank: Forum user
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How about a combination lock and a reasonable sized sign?
or, have a central key holder who signs and key in and out..., worth tying it to a brick so they do not lose it...
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