OXYGEN ENRICHMENT - HAZARDS

 

OXYGEN ENRICHMENT - HAZARDS

CONFINED SPACE SAFETY INTERVIEW 

QUESTION & ANSWER

 Know the hazard of oxygen enriched atmosphere

v     Oxygen gives no warning – the human senses do not detect oxygen enrichment

v     Normally, air contains 21% oxygen, but becomes hazardous when the concentration increases. There is no sharp limit even a few percent more increases the hazard

v    Clothing and hair can easily catch fire in an oxygen enriched atmosphere

v   Textiles can burn fiercely when they are enriched with oxygen

v    Clothing, skin and equipment should be free of oil or grease

 

Oxygen enrichment is often the result of:

·       Leaks from damaged or poorly maintained equipment

·       Leaks from poor connections

·       Opening valves deliberately or accidentally

·       Using an excess of oxygen in welding, flame cutting or similar process

·       Poor ventilation where oxygen is being used

 FIRE LOAD CALCULATION

Before entering a confined space, a safe system of work must ensure workers are not exposed to oxygen enriched atmosphere.

A safe system of work would typically be in the form of a comprehensive “permit to work” and would include considerations of:

ü     Risk assessment and method statements

ü    Physical isolations

ü    Safe access and egress

ü    Gas oxygen monitoring

ü    Standby man and rescue equipment

ü    Firefighting equipment

 

CONFINED SPACE SAFETY

Examples of improper uses of oxygen:

Ø     Powering pneumatic tools

Ø    Inflating vehicle tyres, rubber boats etc.

Ø    Cooling or freshening air in confined spaces

Ø    Replacing air or inert gas

Ø    Pressurising and purging systems

Ø    Dusting benches, machinery or clothing

Ø    Starting diesel engines

USE OF COMPRESSED GASES