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Oxygen Deficiency Is A Deadly Hazard Every year workers in a wide range of industries die unnecessarily due to asphyxiation in oxygen-deficient or other environments filled with toxic gases. To prevent these accidents, OSHA, NIOSH and other federal/state agencies have implemented numerous regulations, required procedures, permit processes—as well as providing extensive preventative educational literature and announcing major enforcement actions. When worker deaths occur in oxygen-deficient or toxic gas environments, OSHA investigations almost always reveal a failure to install safety systems or utilize personal protective equipment and to follow the proper safety procedures—especially in confined spaces. Today’s fixed oxygen-deficiency and toxic gas monitoring systems are highly reliable, relatively easy to install and operate, and offer simple maintenance. They provide excellent protection for employees and plant equipment. The consequences of failing to provide a safe work environment are costly. First, there is a tragic loss of life that includes employees who are the primary victims as well as would-be rescuers, which often includes management. Then there is the cost of the investigation, corrective action, regulatory fines as well as major liability lawsuits that can completely drain a company—both financially and in terms of staff business focus. Oxygen Deficiency The air that we normally breathe is 20.9 percent oxygen by volume under normal atmospheric pressure conditions. When the concentration of oxygen decreases even slightly by a little more than 1-2 percent, people immediately begin to feel the effects. Healthy individuals are unable to work strenuously and their coordination may be affected in oxygen environments of 15-19 percent; those with coronary, pulmonary, or circulatory disease may feel symptoms. At only 10 to 12 percent oxygen, respiration increases, lips turn blue and judgment is impaired. Fainting and unconsciousness begin to occur at 8 to 10 percent oxygen. Death occurs in 8 minutes at 6 to 8 percent oxygen; recovery is possible after 4 to 5 minutes if oxygen is restored. These values are approximate and may vary greatly depending on an individual’s health, physical activity and the specific working environment that they encounter. Oxygen deficiency results from a variety of causes. Leaking materials from storage tanks, natural gas lines, process valves and more release gas that displaces oxygen in poorly ventilated areas or confined spaces. Decomposing organic matter, such as animal, human or plant waste, produces methane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide that displace or consume oxygen. Even corrosion, such as rust, or fermentation or other forms of oxidation will consume oxygen and pose a hazard. Confined Spaces Oxygen deficiency often occurs in confined spaces, which are defined as being large enough and configured so that a person can bodily enter and perform assigned work. Confined spaces have restricted means for entry or exit, and they are not designed for continuous employee occupancy. Some confined spaces are designated as “permit-required” areas. These areas have material with the potential for engulfment, are configured so an individual could be trapped or asphyxiated by inwardly converging walls. They have a floor that slopes or tapers to a smaller cross-section, or they may have any other recognized serious safety or health hazard. Many confined spaces are easy to recognize, such as manholes, sewers, boilers, silos, vessels, vats, pipelines, tunnels, storage tanks, ship compartments and underground vaults. Other confined spaces are less obvious, including open-topped water and degreaser tanks, open pits and enclosures with bottom access. These confined spaces prohibit natural ventilation, are potential sources of gas generation and can prevent gases from escaping to cause a hazardous atmosphere. Let’s face it: If a work area isn’t properly ventilated or hazardous materials are in use, then there is the serious potential for oxygen-deficient or toxic gas conditions that could harm your facility’s workers. Explosive and toxic gases, including hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide, combined with a lack of oxygen are the cause of most confined space accidents. Heroic efforts by would-be rescuers who are overcome by oxygen deficiency or other toxic gases actually result in 60 percent of all fatalities. When an accident occurs, sound the alarm, get help and call the professionals. One accident victim is more than enough. Do not attempt a rescue without knowing the hazard, understanding the required response and using the proper safety equipment. Government Regulations When working in confined spaces that may have oxygen deficient or toxic gas environments, there are specific government regulations that apply to protect workers. These include, but are not limited to, the following: 29 CFR 1910.146 - "Permit-required Confined Spaces" This section of the Code of Federal Regulations contains requirements for practices and procedures to protect employees in general industry from the hazards of entry into permit-required confined spaces. CPL 2.100 - "Application of the Permit-Required Confined Spaces (PRCS) Standards, 29 CFR 1910.146" This Compliance Directive provides additional information and instruction for OSHA personnel for use in answering questions and to ensure uniform enforcement of 1910.146. Part 1915 Subpart B - "Confined and Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres in Shipyard Employment" This Subpart of the Code of Federal Regulations applies to work in confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous atmospheres in shipyard employment. Simple Prevention Steps You can prevent confined space accidents. There are many companies that specialize in assessing hazardous working environments—even your insurance company is often willing to help. Suppliers of fixed safety monitoring systems and personal protective devices will generally share their years of experience with many companies just like your own. The manufacturers of personal safety equipment, such as portable gas detectors and respirators, also can be valuable resources. Oxygen Deficiency Monitoring System The General Monitors' MC600 Multi-Channel Controller is designed to provide an advanced gas monitoring system that sounds the alarm when oxygen deficiency or toxic and combustible gases are a problem. One MC600 Controller can be hardwired to six TS420 Oxygen Deficiency, TS400 Series Toxic Gas, S4000T H2S or IR2100 Combustible Gas detectors installed at strategic plant locations. It delivers a total solution—high performance, reliability and safety at a low cost per point. Click here for related MC600 Controller article in Industrial Equipment News (IEN). TS420 Oxygen Deficiency Detector Designed to monitor hazardous environments, the TS420 Oxygen Deficiency detector continuously monitors for dangerous conditions. The TS420’s rugged electrochemical sensor detects oxygen deficiency in percent by volume. It features an LCD indicator that displays status, fault and calibration cues. Its 4-20mA analog output circuitry supports remote alarm and fault indication requirements. Click here for TS420 Oxygen Deficiency Detector specifications. The TS400 Toxic Gas Detector Series is a compact, fixed toxic gas detector with electrochemical cell sensors that detect a wide range of gases. Two-wire loop power eliminates the need and cost of a separate power supply. A built-in LCD indicator provides for status, fault and calibration cues. The TS400 detects CO, C1, ClO2, HCl, NH3, NO, NO2, O3, and SO2. Click here for TS400 Toxic Gas Detector specifications. Copyright © 2004 General Monitors, Inc. All logos, brand and product names are registered trademarks of their perspective owners. All rights reserved. Questions or comments to ToxicGas@generalmonitors.com |
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