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Decmber 2002 — Atmospheric Hazards and Testing When it comes to confined space accidents, the majority of all fatalities are the result of atmospheric hazards. Therefore, it is imperative that all atmospheric hazards are properly identified and eliminated or controlled before allowing any entry into a confined space. Proper atmospheric testing can only identify these hazards. There are basically three types of atmospheric tests that can be taken. They are oxygen, flammables and finally toxics. This order of testing is extremely important, since some test instruments rely on the presence of oxygen to test for flammable substances. For this reason, oxygen is always tested first, then flammables and then suspected toxics. It is paramount that the proper testing equipment, including dragger type tubes, be available. This equipment must be properly calibrated, dragger tubes must be within test date, and personnel must be properly trained so they understand the operating parameters of the equipment and it is used correctly to measure the different atmospheric hazards. Many deaths have occurred in industry because the wrong detector was used or the equipment was used improperly, resulting in failure to identify the specific hazardous contaminant. Make
sure the personnel that are charged with the testing and monitoring
in your confined space program are properly trained in the use of
all testing and monitoring equipment.
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© 2000 Prest-O-Sales & Service, Inc.
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