Responding is Jake Cunic, marketing manager for connected portable gas detection, MSA Safety, Cranberry Township, PA.
Confined space entry is often complex and hazardous. Workers may be exposed to dangerous concentrations of gases, including oxygen (whether too much or too little), carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, or other toxic or combustible substances such as methane and propane.
In some environments, additional hazards such as carbon dioxide, chlorine or ammonia may also be present depending on the application and surrounding processes.
With an estimated 2.1 million workers entering permit-required confined spaces each year, it’s important for teams to have the proper safety solutions – especially the proper mix of connected gas detectors – in place.
One way to look at a comprehensive fleet for confined space applications is by considering three core elements:
- Pre-entry sampling
- Continuous worker monitoring
- Real-time data and visibility
Pre-entry sampling
Before workers enter a confined space, one of the critical first steps is testing the atmosphere to establish baseline conditions and identify potential hazards. Multi-gas detectors – typically capable of detecting up to six gases and with an integrated pump included – should be considered for this type of work. They function in a gas-detection fleet as a tool used to sample the atmosphere of the confined space before any workers enter. Because this type of work can often require dangerous conditions and exposure to the elements, taking into consideration features such as the ruggedness and durability of the device, the size of the display screen, and overall ease of use with user-friendly grips for single-hand operation can help drive efficiency with this initial pre-entry step.
Continuous worker monitoring
Conditions in confined spaces may change rapidly because of work activities, chemical reactions or even environmental shifts. The continuous monitoring of workers once they’ve entered a confined space can help maintain safety throughout the duration of the job. This is where wearable gas detectors in a fleet come into play. With devices that can be worn by each individual worker, monitoring the levels of up to four gases, alarming when dangerous gases are present, and providing the location and status of each worker, safety managers can gain real-time visibility into the ongoing safety of their team.
Real-time data and visibility
Connected solutions, including gas detectors and cloud-based software, can enable a proactive gas detection program. They provide device and worker data and insights to help simplify fleet compliance, enhance worker visibility and drive organizational productivity. When sampling tools for pre-entry and connected wearables for continuous worker monitoring are all connected to the same software, a gas detection fleet can be taken to the next level, helping to enhance confined space safety with:
- Real-time alerts and location awareness.
- Visibility of workers’ locations and their devices’ status.
- Automated device compliance and incident reporting.
- Digital device assignment pairing each worker with a specific detector.
In confined environments where communication is already limited, these capabilities can help improve situational awareness, coordination, accountability and oversight.
Some considerations for determining the appropriate mix of connected gas detection solutions for confined space applications may include:
- Aligning devices to workflow stages with sampling tools for pre-entry and wearables for continuous monitoring.
- Standardizing on multi-gas capability to help identify a range of atmospheric threats.
- Prioritizing connectivity to help enhance visibility and streamline compliance.
- Evaluating device usability and durability, particularly for harsh environments.
The goal isn’t simply to deploy more devices, but to build a cohesive system that supports workers before, during and after confined space entry. A program with connected devices can help enhance worker safety, boost efficiency and drive organizational productivity.
Editor’s note: This article represents the independent views of the author and should not be considered a National Safety Council endorsement.
