Monitoring Atmospheric Hazards - INFOGRAPHIC

Monitoring Atmospheric Hazards - INFOGRAPHIC Monitoring Atmospheric Hazards INFOGRAPHIC A guide for monitoring atmospheric hazards in confined spaces. Confined spaces expose entrants to a variety of atmospheric hazards. These include: Acute Illness, Death, Entrapment, Severe Injury CLICK HERE TO VIEW IMAGE Share this image on your site by copying the codes below pa href=https://www.360training.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Monitoring-Atmospheric-Hazards.pngimg src=https://www.360training.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/Monitoring-Atmospheric-Hazards.png width=auto border=0 //a/p What is a confined space? A confined space, according to OSHA, is any space which: Is large enough for a person to enter, and perform work. Is not designed for permanent human occupancy. Has limited or restricted means for entry and/or exit. Examples of confined spaces include: Agriculture Silos | Grain Elevators | Fuel Tanks | Storage Tanks | Tunnels | Underground Vaults * Entry into confined spaces is part of the daily routine for most workers with industrial jobs. Types of Atmospheric Hazards Atmospheric oxygen concentration: Oxygen deficiency below 19.5% Oxygen enrichment above 23.5% Combustible gases Toxic gases The air inside a confined space must be tested before employees are allowed to enter. * Atmospheric testing to evaluate whether or not acceptable conditions for entry exist within a confined space, and for the evaluation of any hazards present. Atmospheric testing to evaluate whether or not acceptable conditions for entry exist within a confined space, and for the evaluation of any hazards present. Click To Tweet The recommended order for testing confined spaces for atmospheric hazards is: Oxygen: Proper oxygen levels must be present. Combustible Gases: No combustible gases must be present. Toxic Gases: Any toxic gases present inside the confined space commonly carbon monoxide [CO] and hydrogen sulfide [H2S] should be below OSHA permissible exposure limits. * Samples should be taken at the top, middle, and bottom of a confined space to properly check for varying concentrations of different gases and vapors. Confined spaces should be tested routinely to ensure that atmospheric conditions remain safe for entry. All testing should be conducted using equipment specifically designed to detect chemicals, gases, and vapors which may be present at levels below defined exposure limits.