What Confined Space Teaches us about our atmosphere
What Confined Space Teaches Us About Our Precious Atmosphere? (Troposphere)
Six layers is all that protects us. Amazingly, each layer has a different composition.
In 2007, while I was taking an exam, I came upon a question that influenced my view of everyday work.
I have always believed in a creator. However, the question on the exam read, “Q- what is the lowest/highest. Amount of oxygen required in a “Permitted confined space?”
The correct answer was - 19.5% and 23.5%.
I understood a confined space had several potential risks. However, a 4% window for oxygen,
A 4% window of life of all the Gases in the Atmosphere?
With an engineering and crane background, percentages are part of life. However, If you said that a crane lift had a 4% chance of success, then the crane would never leave the yard!
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It honestly seemed to be a mistake. From that moment, I need to learn more about the earth and the delicate balance of gases in our atmospheres. I quickly learned I was not seeing the big picture (surprise) as the attached chart shows 78.0% of our atmosphere is nitrogen, 0.96% other gases, 0.04% is carbon dioxide, and 21.0% is oxygen.
Nevertheless, you would agree this is a precious balance of life here on our planet and regardless of being in a confined space or standing at your local park we need between 19.5% and 23.5% oxygen to live.
The question is, does having the increased carbon dioxide (C02) influence strenuous work outdoors? ?Hmmm..
I'm not a scientist, or medical professional so I certainly don't have the scientific answer to that question, but I have seen increased “heat related” fatalities and illness rates in outdoor construction work in the last 8 years. So doing my part as an OSHA Outreach trainer/Safety professional, I try making sure I include a small mention of Earth and the precious resource of oxygen during “confined space” or “heat awareness” classes. In this way we can do our part to pass this along to our children and friends.
?The delicate balance of life and oxygen….
Darrell L Fullerton
References: OSHA confined spaces and the Keeling graph Dr. Ralph Keeling carbon dioxide study 1958 to 2022