Gas detection remains a top priority for safety managers in many industries because accidents and safety incidents involving hazardous gas exposure can lead to serious illness and even death. Combustible gas explosions cause fires, structural damage, and loss of life. Depending on the scope, accidents and explosions can have lasting effects on entire communities.
Gas monitors
Abnormal gas concentrations in the air bring danger to workplaces and job sites. Industries ranging from oil and gas to manufacturing and construction must face these hazards every day. Unfortunately, some gases don’t have a smell, and therefore their presence can go undetected. OSHA requirements for the implementation of gas monitoring equipment warns workers, prevents illness, protects property and saves lives.
When the sensor inside a gas monitor detects a certain chemical above a pre-set level, it alerts the user, generally via a loud audible alarm, vibration, and a bright light. These alerts can prompt the worker to take actions such as shutting off a gas valve, turning on ventilation fans or evacuating an area.
Safety personnel should choose gas detection equipment carefully. Some criteria to consider are specific hazards and risks at the worksite, ease of use, maintenance, data-logging capabilities, and training and support from the manufacturer. Many safety managers choose smaller, personal monitors that are carried on each individual. One of the advantages of a wireless, personal detector is it can be swapped out for another while repairs are performed. Work can continue, and downtime is minimized.
Not only is detecting the gases important but measuring worker exposure to gases and looking at alarm incident history is also critical to maintaining safety. The data provided by gas monitors can show bump testing frequency, time of an event, gas concentrations, trends and more. Taking the time to analyze data gives a safety manager indication if there’s a growing problem and shows where improvements can be made. Patterns in alarm data can also identify risks to productivity and alert a manager to arrange for additional worker training. This leads to better health and safety and reduced downtime.
Maintenance for personal gas monitors
Without proper maintenance, air monitors won’t perform at their peak. A typical schedule for a portable gas detector includes a daily bump test. A bump test is crucial to safety and in some units is an automatic feature. Bump testing checks for functionality by exposing the detector to a known concentration of the gas to ensure the detector will respond. Additionally, calibration should be performed on a regular basis as directed by the manufacturer’s instructions and anytime a bump test’s results are not within the acceptable range. Docking stations are an easy way to automate these functions.
Training
Gas detection equipment should not be distributed to workers without proper training. There are several important topics supervisors should include in their training sessions with their employees:
- How to minimize exposure.
- How to identify conditions that increase their risk.
- How to use their equipment.
- How to respond to alarms.
On any job site, developing the right habits and routines is vital for overall safety. Armed with this clear, concise information, workers can do everything to avoid exposure to dangerous gases and protect themselves.
On any job site, developing the right habits and routines is vital for overall safety.
Choosing proper gas detection equipment is a key step for the safety of workers, employers and their community. Personal gas detectors are a great choice due to the device’s portability and ease-of-use.
If you have questions about gas detection at your workplace, please give the technical support reps at Northern Safety a call at (800) 922- 8553. They’ll give you the information you need to make the right choice for you and your co-workers.
