Airgas: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Airgas was founded in 1982 by Peter McCausland, a young attorney-turned-entrepreneur who saw potential in Connecticut Oxygen (CONNOX), a small oxygen distribution company based in Stafford, Connecticut, and used his entrepreneurial drive to acquire the firm. Airgas is headquartered in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, and grew from this modest local distribution business into a national leader through a combination of organic growth and more than 500 acquisitions over the following decades, including major deals such as acquiring industry giant Air Products' packaged gas business and Linde's bulk-gas business in the 2000s, which gave Airgas roughly 10% of the U.S. bulk-gas market at the time.

Beyond distribution, Airgas expanded into gas production, and by 2010 the company was producing approximately 30% of the gases it sold. The company also diversified into adjacent businesses, creating Airgas Refrigerants and Airgas Specialty Products, becoming the largest seller of packaged ammonia in the United States. In 2015, French industrial gas and healthcare company Air Liquide announced an agreement to acquire Airgas, and the acquisition was completed in May 2016, combining Airgas's leadership in the U.S. packaged gases business with Air Liquide's global footprint to create a stronger, more competitive combined product offering across North America.

Today, Airgas operates as a subsidiary of Air Liquide, employing approximately 18,000 to 18,500 associates across more than 1,100 to 1,400 locations, including branches, cylinder fill plants, production facilities, specialty gas laboratories, and regional distribution centers. The company serves diverse industries including manufacturing and metal fabrication, non-residential construction, energy and chemicals, life sciences and healthcare, food and beverage, and government, defense, and aerospace. Airgas's workforce includes delivery drivers who transport gas cylinders and bulk products, production and fill plant technicians, welding and safety products sales staff, and customer service representatives.

Company culture and employee programs: Airgas emphasizes an entrepreneurial, flexible, and market-facing approach to partnering with customers, evolving from a local commodity gas distributor into a national provider of value-added products and services. As part of Air Liquide, Airgas benefits from global scale and resources as the world leader in gases, technologies, and services for industry and health. Benefits, training, and advancement opportunities can vary by role and facility, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the industrial gas and safety products industry, including Airgas, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks on job candidates, provided they comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Airgas is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is standard for industrial gas and hazardous materials employers, particularly for delivery driver roles and positions involving handling of compressed and specialty gases.

The hiring process for delivery driver and production roles at Airgas typically includes an application, an interview, verification of any required commercial driver's license and hazmat endorsements, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for an industrial gas distribution role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though DOT regulations for commercial drivers transporting hazardous materials involve additional federal requirements, including TSA hazmat endorsement background checks.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to the role, with federal restrictions applying to certain offenses for drivers seeking hazmat endorsements. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA requirements. Driver roles typically also require a valid CDL and relevant endorsements.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Airgas may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Airgas or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.