Gas cylinders, carbon dioxide extinguishers and breathing air cylinders

Gas cylinders are common in many workplaces. These could be, for example, cylinders for welding gas, air cylinders for divers and rescue services, or portable fire extinguishers with carbon dioxide.

Risks with gas cylinders

Risks with gas cylinders have to do with their contents and high pressures. Gas cylinders can often contain flammable or toxic gases or gases that can otherwise cause harm, for example by displacing oxygen. The pressure in gas cylinders can in many cases be several hundred bar.

The main risks with gas cylinders are:

  • explosion with flying shrapnel and a dangerous pressure wave as a result.
  • dangerous gas that comes out uncontrollably, for example through a leak, and which can cause fire, poisoning, lack of oxygen, etc.

Some gases are unstable. This primarily applies to acetylene, which is used in some welding and cutting. If there are cylinders with unstable gas in your business, you as an employer must ensure that there are procedures in place for emergency situations that may arise.

Examples of emergency situations where cylinders with unstable gas become dangerous are in the event of a fire or if the cylinder overturns.

How to address the risks

Make sure there is a sign at the entrance to the premises or enclosure where gas cylinders or breathing air bottles are stored. The marking must clearly indicate that there are cylinders containing gas under pressure in the premises.

Store gas cylinders safely

Store the gas cylinders so that they

  • are not at risk of tipping over or being knocked over, for example by
  • are easily accessible in connection with evacuation in the
  • are in well-ventilated areas or outdoors.

Only the number of gas cylinders needed for the work should be available where the work is being carried out.

Fill gas cylinders safely

Only refill gas cylinders if

  • the hose is securely attached so that it does not come loose
  • it is quickly possible to stop any leaks or overfilling
  • the gas cylinder has undergone any inspection that needs to be carried out by a testing body.

Get a better work environment through systematic work

As an employer, you must manage the work environment in a systematic way in order to improve it. Our provisions on systematic work environment management apply to all employers – regardless of the type of activities conducted or the risks that you and your employees may be exposed to.

Regulations for the manufacture and inspection of gas cylinders

Cylinders for breathing apparatus and portable carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are manufactured in accordance with the Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions (AFS 2023:5) on products - pressurised devices.

Breathing air cylinders should be checked at 5-year intervals and fire extinguishers with carbon dioxide as an extinguishing agent should be checked at 10-year intervals. The regulations can be found in the Swedish Work Environment Authority's provisions and general guidelines (AFS 2023:11) on the use of pressurised devices, Chapter 9.

Gas cylinders are manufactured and inspected according to regulations issued by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). MSB also has regulations on flammable gases and for the transport of dangerous goods when transporting a gas cylinder.

Last updated 2025-12-01