The Importance of Gas Testing in Confined Spaces

Confined spaces are not designed to have continuous human occupancy. These will also have limited openings to enter and exit the space. Some examples of confined spaces are manholes, storage tanks, silos, pipelines and underground vaults. You can find these in industries like manufacturing, construction, mining etc. There are many risks in working in these spaces due to potentially hazardous atmospheres.

If you are planning to

Work in confined spaces, you can look into a gas testing atmosphere course. In this course, you will learn about the potential hazards of confined spaces such as oxygen deficiency, presence of toxic gases, oxygen enrichment and flammable gases. When oxygen falls below 19.5% it can lead to impaired cognitive function. It can cause the person to become unconscious and in certain cases, it can even lead to death. But an increase in oxygen can be dangerous as well. When the oxygen levels are below 23.5%, there is an increased risk of fire. This is called oxygen enrichment. There can be many toxic gases that can accumulate in confined spaces. Some examples of these substances are hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and methane. These can lead to serious health risks. When there are combustible gases present, it can lead to fires or explosions in the event of ignition. Gas testing is also called atmospheric monitoring and this is where the concentration of hazardous vapours and gases in the air is measured. This is an important step in entry procedures to confined spaces so that the workers can identify potential atmospheric hazards and quantify them before occupancy and during work.

The main reason

To carry out gas testing is to protect workers from harmful gases and atmospheres in which oxygen levels are low. When you can detect hazardous conditions early on, you can take appropriate measures to mitigate these risks. This will contribute to a safe working environment. Companies also need to comply with occupational safety regulations and this mandates gas testing in confined spaces. Not complying with the regulations can lead to legal repercussions. Some of the accidents that can occur as a result of not having proper gas testing are poisoning, explosions and asphyxiation. It is important to monitor the atmosphere constantly so that you can identify any change in the gas concentrations. This will help in rapid response to potential threats.

Accurate gas testing data can guide rescue operations

If an emergency is to take place. Responders can be informed of this data and this will improve the efficiency of the rescue efforts. You need to have comprehensive gas testing procedures in place to manage the risks that are associated with confined spaces. There has to be pre-entry testing where the atmosphere of the confined space will be tested for toxic substances, oxygen levels and flammable gases. The testing has to be done in several locations within the place including the bottom, middle and top. This is because gas density will affect where they stratify. There has to be continuous monitoring as the conditions in the confined space can change very quickly.