Danger in the Air: The Critical Role of Gas Detection in Confined Spaces
RIKEN KEIKI Co., Ltd.
We are a specialist company specializing in gas detection and production since 1939.
Table of Contents
? What Are Confined Spaces?
? The Hazards of Confined Spaces
? Common Accidents in Confined Spaces
??Our Solutions: Portable Gas Monitors
What Are Confined Spaces??
Confined spaces are spaces such as storage tanks and silos which are not only enclosed but which also pose additional risks to workers due specifically to their enclosed nature. For example, working environments such as the interior of buildings under construction or undergoing cleaning can sometimes be considered confined spaces under certain conditions. Liquids and gases tend to accumulate more easily in confined spaces, and because these spaces are not designed for continuous occupancy, workers are more likely to encounter hazards such as lack of oxygen, toxic gas poisoning, and gas explosions. Confined spaces may likewise have limited or restricted means for entry or exit, complicating evacuation and rescue efforts in the event of an emergency. This means that confined spaces pose significant risks to both workers and the rescue team alike.?
The Hazards of Confined Spaces?
Confined spaces can increase the risk of different kinds of accidents due to their structure and working conditions. Gas-related hazards are particularly common in confined spaces and can be divided into three main causes: lack of oxygen, gas poisoning, and gas explosions.?
?Lack of Oxygen: It is essential that workers get sufficient oxygen at all times. When oxygen levels in the air fall below 18%, workers may be unable to take in the oxygen necessary for sustaining life, which could lead to oxygen deficiency. In confined spaces, oxygen levels cannot recover without proper ventilation. Oxygen levels in the air can decrease simply as a result of workers breathing, but activities which involve combustion such as soldering, and fermentation (where oxygen is consumed by bacteria) can likewise contribute to oxygen depletion. Workers are also at risk of lack of oxygen when gases heavier than air, such as carbon dioxide, accumulate in the working environment.?
?Gas Poisoning: Some gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide can be harmful to human health when touched or inhaled, even in miniscule amounts. These gases can cause workers to fall unconscious, resulting in delays in evacuation and reporting of accidents, potentially even resulting in death in the worst of cases. Toxic gases are often colorless and odorless and therefore require constant ongoing monitoring of gases to ensure early detection.?
?Gas Explosions: Flammable gases such as methane and propane combust at a given concentration and temperature. Even gases which do not typically ignite easily in the air can cause major fires or explosions when they accumulate in confined spaces. When a gas ignites, thermal expansion causes it to increase in volume, bringing about a sudden rise in pressure within the confined space. This increase in pressure can then result in damage to structures or explosions.
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Common Accidents in Confined Spaces?
When working in confined spaces, it is important to consider any potential hazards to ensure worker safety. Some workplaces have common accidents and need special attention. Here we will introduce some examples of accidents that commonly occur in confined spaces.
Accidents when working in water supply and sewage systems (in manholes)?
Due to their structural layout, water supply and sewage systems are particularly susceptible to both decreased oxygen levels as well as the presence of hydrogen sulfide from sewage sludge. Municipal water supply and sewage systems require daily maintenance, meaning working in manholes is a common everyday task.
Municipal water supply and sewage systems require daily maintenance, meaning working in manholes is a common everyday task.
And yet due to the invisible nature of the hazards of the workplace, it is unfortunately not uncommon to overlook the importance of measuring oxygen and toxic gas levels before beginning work and ensuring proper ventilation during work.
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Accidents when working within shipboard tanks?
Shipboard tanks are designed to be airtight to prevent any leakage of liquids or gases. They are therefore susceptible to decreased oxygen levels by nature, and even more so when carrying materials or substances which absorb oxygen from their surroundings. Toxic gases are another potential hazard, as they can be released during tasks such as cleaning or painting. Even if workers have some degree of awareness of the hazards of the environment, accidents can nevertheless occur due to failure to use gas masks and other personal protective equipment properly, or due to misunderstandings about how such equipment works.?
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Accidents when working on construction sites and infrastructure projects
The use of internal combustion engines such as generators, compressors, and concrete cutters on construction sites and in infrastructure projects is common. When internal combustion engines are used inside poorly ventilated spaces such as buildings and tunnels, incomplete combustion can result when fuel is burned without sufficient oxygen. This generates carbon monoxide, which can build up in the air and lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, making it very difficult to detect. Awareness of these kinds of hazards is therefore extremely important to ensure that proper ventilation is maintained in the workplace at all times.
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Accidents when working in facilities where flammable gases are used?
Gas lines are often placed in confined spaces underground and inside buildings. Human error, such as forgetting to close a valve when performing maintenance work or performing work in the wrong order, can result in gas leaks or explosions. Such working environments are particularly prone to these kinds of accidents unless a thorough system is put in place to ensure early detection of any potential sources of human error.?
Preventing Accidents in Confined Spaces?
The best way to prevent accidents in confined spaces is to be prepared. It is important to first gather sufficient information about the working environment and the nature of the work itself, and then establish an appropriate safety plan and detailed work procedure. Next, in order to ensure a safe working environment, it is necessary to measure the gas concentrations present and make sure that the workplace has sufficient ventilation. In addition to measuring gas concentrations present before workers enter the confined space, it is also a good idea to continue to monitor gas concentrations on an ongoing basis throughout the duration of the work. Lastly, be sure to provide thorough safety and health training for workers. It is important to raise awareness about not only the hazards of the workplace but also the importance of ventilation and how to use protective equipment properly. It is also a good idea to hold periodic rescue drills and practice using rescue equipment to ensure that everyone is prepared in the event of an emergency.
In Japan, for example, the Japan Safety Appliances Association offers a protective equipment advising service, providing information and training on the basic technical and legal aspects of using personal protective equipment properly.?
Our Solutions: Portable Gas Monitors?
With these common hazards in mind, we would now like to share some of Riken Keiki’s portable gas monitors which are ideal for use in confined spaces.?
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GX-3R??
Introducing the world’s smallest, most lightweight portable 4-gas monitor. Compact in design and weighing just 100g, it can be used just about anywhere. Attach it to your shirt collar or anywhere within the breathing zone for increased precision and improved safety – you’ll hardly even know it’s there! Its water-, dust- and explosion-resistant construction makes it ideal for outdoor use, and it even comes equipped with our very own high-performance sensor for even more precise gas detection.
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GX-Force??
This comfortable, easy-to-use multi-gas monitor offers quick, precise readings and superior durability. Equipped with a built-in pump and a lineup of sampling probes to choose from, this versatile tool can be used to detect oxygen levels and the presence of other gases in the work environment both prior to and during work. The inclusion of various sampling probes allows for leak detection in high and confined spaces. Ideal for use in environments such as manholes, underground pits, tanks and more, and it is dust- and water-resistant, and suitable for both low and high temperature environments.
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GX-6000??
This multi-gas monitor with built-in pump is unrivaled in its versatility, allowing for simultaneous detection of 6 different gases all in one device. For example, it is capable of detecting gases such as methane or hydrocarbon (CH4 or HC), oxygen (O2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOC). But this monitor’s versatility does not stop there – its PID sensor allows for measurement of over 200 different chemical substances for use in a countless range of environments and applications. Its new and improved design now features two new safety functions for even more protection: the “panic alarm” and “man down alarm” functions.
*Panic Alarm: Activated manually by the user to alert others about a potentially dangerous situation on site.
*Man Down Alarm: Activated automatically after a certain period of inactivity to alert others that the user may be in danger.
Riken Keiki offers a diverse range of solutions designed to ensure safety when working in confined spaces. If you would like to learn more about gas detection in confined spaces, please do not hesitate to contact us.