SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS CYLINDER RUPTURE Produced by the Industrial Health and Safety Program, Occupational Health and Safety Branch, Ministry of Labour. Disponible en fran¨ais. HAZARD SUMMARY: In an event outside Ontario, a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinder used in the fire service ruptured while being refilled, killing one person. An engineering analysis indicated that alloy A6351 used in the manufacture of cylinders of the affected type is subject to sustained-load cracking in the neck area. AFFECTED CYLINDERS: The affected cylinders are Luxfer USA cylinders manufactured from 1977 to 1984 under CTC/DOT E-7235 pursuant to CTC Special Permit 1116 which have not been retrofitted with a steel reinforcing neck-ring. The manufacturer recalled 75,000 of these cylinders in October 1984 for installation of a steel reinforcing neck-ring, but a small number remain unaccounted for. LOCATION(S) AND SECTOR(S): Municipal and industrial fire services. SUGGESTED PRECAUTIONS: Section 25(1)(b) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act requires the employer to ensure that "equipment, materials and protective devices provided by him are maintained in good condition." Persons finding cylinders of this type without the required neck-ring should immediately empty them and take them out of service. The cylinders should be safely disposed of in a way that ensures they will not be used for any purpose. Hoop-wrapped and fully-wrapped cylinders have a service life limited to 15 years or as specified by the manufacturer. For more information, please contact Ed Gulbinas, P.Eng. at (416) 326-7931 or, toll-free in Ontario, at 1-800-268-8013. The Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations has asked that reports of faulty cylinders by forwarded to: H.D. Hanrath, P.Eng. Director, Pressure Vessels Safety Branch Ministry of Consumer and Corporate Relations 3300 Bloor St. W. 3rd Floor, West Tower Etobicoke, ON M8X 2X4