Harnessing technological advancements
Managing worker safety is challenging at the best of times but where gas is concerned, you are dealing with something that is often silent, invisible, odourless and potentially deadly. Chris Shaw talks to Honeywell about the increasing use of technology based systems that help protect workers through a combination of continual environmental monitoring and analysis, worker tracking, bump testing and respiratory protection.
Despite advancements in gas detection
systems in the past 20 years, accidents continue to happen, with fatal or
severe ill health consequences. In November 2014, four workers at a Texas
insecticide factory died after being exposed to methyl mercaptan, a toxic gas
used in the production of insecticides. Weeks later in South Korea, three
workers died on a nuclear power plant construction site after a nitrogen gas leak.
For anyone managing gas safety, the Control
of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations set out the requirements
for managing risks, from exposure avoidance to the provision of appropriate PPE.
According to Honeywell
Analytics and Honeywell Safety Products, essential worker and asset welfare
relies on continual monitoring, quick and accurate detection, respiratory
protection and safe and effective escape from contaminated environments.
“Technology is playing an increasingly
vital role in helping organisations achieve enhanced safety programmes, driven
by the desire to remain ahead of increasing regulatory compliance and evolving
insurance pre-requisites,” said Matthias Schwarz, product manager portable
devices, Honeywell Analytics.
So what are the latest developments in gas
detection?
Gas detection on the move
Portable systems now account for about half
of the gas detection market due largely to their multiple functionality of
personnel safety and continual location testing – often the only way of testing
a remote location.
“Technology is not just about protection
but also about up-to-the-minute, continuous information delivery and
measurement,” Schwarz noted. “Wireless technology is bringing major safety benefits, with 24/7
real time and plant-wide remote atmospheric monitoring linked to every
individual or a specific location, along with GPS-based monitoring and Man Down
tracking. “Reliable and accurate data is also critical.
Wireless systems offer the flexibility to not only measure environments, but
also provide remote instrument configuration and diagnosis, which can be sent
to one central location or even multiple international sites.”
If a leak does occur, it’s vital to know
the contaminant and exposure levels straight away. This helps manage not just the
immediate situation, in the case of a major leak, but safeguards workers against
smaller, longer-term exposures that can lead to chronic health issues over
time, thereby reducing long-term liability risks.
The
gas detection process should also include bump testing –
the process of briefly exposing gas detection sensors to gas in order to check
that they are working correctly. Whether you opt for a manual or automatic test
method, bump testing should take place daily for static detection systems and
before any portable devices are used.
Worker protection
Where the presence of harmful gas is detected,
respiratory protection for quick and safe escape becomesvital. Technology
is supporting this through the use of Man Down and worker tracking – particularly
beneficial for safeguarding workers in remote and confined spaces.
“The precise location of workers and what
they are exposed to are vital elements in rescue procedures,” asserted Schwarz. “Tracking
technology provides this information to control centres, letting them know whether
workers are conscious or unconscious, providing a much clearer picture of the
situation and precise rescue and evacuation requirements.”
Respiratory protection
The provision of respiratory protection needs
to be included as part of any gas monitoring and detection programme. But what
respiratory devices should you opt for?
Where oxygen levels are acceptable, the
contaminant is known and filterable, and the area being worked in not an
immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) atmosphere, consider filtering
apparatus including a mask and filtration device for ambient air purification. Where
oxygen levels are unacceptable or unknown and the risk uncertain, opt either
for a compressed airisolating device with full mask, a hood or a chemical
oxygen re-breather solution.
“In more than 70% of gas exposure
cases, the risk to the worker is in the form of both gases and particulates, requiring
the use of a combination filter with both activated charcoal and mechanical elements,”
explained Christian Vieille, product
manager respiratory, Honeywell Safety Products EMEA. Other respiratory
considerations will include the type of face piece according to the level of
protection required and the length of time needed to escape.
“For workers who have to carry their
own protective respiratory equipment, consider the environment in which they
will be working – confined spaces for example – and ensure equipment is light,
compact, easy to use and quick to put on,” added Vieille.
Worker safety is paramount and failures in gas
detection programmes and protection can have fatal consequences. Embracing the
latest technological advancements provides safety managers with the environmental
awareness, knowledge and understanding they need to enable them to protect
workers at risk of gas exposure.
