Most work place accidents could be prevented with proper working gas detection equipment. Gas detection is a critical component for safety programs for any environment; it should be given the highest priority and attention to detail to avoid any accidents and unnecessary work place injuries or deaths.

Here are some suggestions on how to keep your work environment safe:

1.   Read the gas level before entry. Conditions can change rapidly. A controller reading the gas level should be placed outside the room. Workers can view the reading prior to deciding if it’s safe to enter.

2.   Make sure the gas detector is detecting the right types of harmful gases for the environment.

3.   Regular maintenance is mandatory for the equipment to be working at its best. Equipment that has been stored for a long time can be improperly serviced or outdated this can cause the equipment to fail or give false readings.

4.   Have the work place tested for odors. This can be caused by the following: dead animals, gas leaks, hidden mould growth, cracked sewer lines, rotting or decaying vegetation.

5.   Have the work place tested after a fire. Fires have the potential to generate lots of contaminants which linger for a long time. These contaminants are airborne as well as surface. For your safety, do not come back in until it has been inspected and tested.

6.   Keep your environment clean and dust free. Keep it cleaned regularly and have proper storage for chemicals.

Indoor air quality is extremely important to everyone’s health and should be taken seriously! Everyone should do whatever it takes to make their work environment safe.

Written by: Ambur Vilac & Teresa Kouch

——————————————————————————————————————————————

References

ABM Environmental Inc. 2010. Web. 11 May 2012. <http://www.abmenvironmental.ca/>.

EnviroMed Detection Services.Web. 11 May 2012. <http://www.enviromed.ca/>.

Savetech Environmental Ltd. 2010. Web. 11 May 2012. <http://www.safetechenv.com/>.

Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) are often mistaken for one another. Both gases are odourless and colorless and target the cardiovascular system. Both gases can enter the body through inhalation, skin and / or eye. Similar symptoms that both gases have in common are headaches, dizziness, seizures, and hallucination.

Most people have a hard time determining the difference and do not realize that vehicle exhaust emits both CO and CO₂. In an indoor environment, this build-up of gas can be hazardous to the health and safety of the individual exposed to it.

CO has been referred to as the “Silent Killer” (The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide). Once CO is inhaled, oxygen levels are displaced in the blood causing vital organs to starve. Therefore, causing people to suffocate and lose consciousness.

CO₂, on the other hand, is referred to as “hypercarbia or hypercapnia” (Carbon Dioxide Poisoning). Since our blood expels CO₂, inhaling more CO₂ would cause the inability for the body to expel the gas.

Additional differences in CO and CO₂ are addressed in the table below:

NOTE: Sources for the table above are referenced from Buzzle.com, CO2Meter.com and NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.

Since it is extremely difficult to detect CO and CO₂ gases based on the symptoms alone, installing a gas detector is suggested. There are a large range of detectors available on the market; therefore, choosing the right one that suites your need is ideal. Choose a gas detector from a manufacturer that is reputable and has their products tested by certain standards such as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), etc.

For suggestions on a fixed gas detection system, please visit www.critical-environment.com.

Written by: Ambur Vilac & Teresa Kouch

———————————————————————————————————————————————

References

Bose, Debopriya. “Carbon Dioxide Poisoning.” Buzzle.com. 26 December 2011. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/carbon-dioxide-poisoning.html>.

Bose, Debopriya. “Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment.” Buzzle.com. 2011. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.buzzle.com/articles/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-causes-symptoms-and-treatment.html>.

“CO and CO2 – What’s the difference?” CO2Meter.com. 27 August 2009. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/1209952-co-and-co2-what-s-the-difference>.

“Dangers of CO2: What You Need to Know.” CO2Meter.com. 25 October 2011. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/4418142-dangers-of-co2-what-you-need-to-know>.

“The Danger of Carbon Monoxide.” Silent Shadow: Silent Killer. 2004. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.silentshadow.org/>.

“Exposure to CO2 Leads to Fear of Suffocation.” CO2Meter.com. 12 January 2010. Web. 31 May 2012. <http://www.co2meter.com/blogs/news/1417162-exposure-to-co2-leads-to-fear-of-suffocation>.

“NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 04 April 2011. Web. 01 June 2012. <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/default.html>.

In the past, vehicle exhaust gas detectors have been installed on or near the ceiling. In contrary, Critical Environment Technologies Canada Inc. (CETCI) has always recommended that they be installed in the breathing zone. Recently, Quebec’s regulation has reinforced CETCI’s recommendations. It states that “dusts, gases, fumes, vapours and mists found in the workplace environment shall be measured in the respiratory zone of workers or, if this proves to be impossible owing to the lack of equipment for taking sampling in this zone, then outside the breathing zone but in a place located as close as possible to such zone” (Division V: Air Quality: 44 Methods).

The breathing or respiratory zone is defined as “the area from which the employee draws air and has been defined as being as close as possible to the nose and mouth and a hemisphere forward of the shoulders with a radius of 6 to 9 inches” (Review of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004…). This is “[up to] 72” [6 ft] above the floor” (ASHRAE Standard…). The focus, of course, is on what this area contains in terms of toxins and gases and how this area can be accurately tested for safety reasons.

Gases that are heavier than air should be installed 6” from the floor. Such gases include (but not limited to) carbon dioxide, chlorine, ozone, propane, and refrigerants. Gases that are lighter than air should be installed on or near the ceiling, include (but not limited to) ammonia, methane, and hydrogen. Gases that have density close to that of air should be installed in the breathing zone, aka respiratory zone, which is 4-6 ft from the floor. Such gases include (but not limited to) carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and hydrogen sulphide.

The health and safety of individuals working near or around equipment, such as propane powered forklifts, are at risk. The exhaust is venting toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, propane, and nitrogen dioxide, from the rear of the machine. Being in an indoor environment, the ventilation system does not know that these gases are present; therefore, cannot being diluted and / or vented outside the building. High concentrations of these fumes are extremely dangerous. At high exposure levels, they can result in death. These fumes have been linked to a number of health related issues and are a concern for the provincial health and safety boards. Having a gas detection system in place ensures that the ventilation system operates when the gas concentration level is at a dangerous level. The gas detector triggers the ventilation system to kick in and dilute the indoor air and pushes it outside the building.

For suggestions on a fixed gas detection system, please visit www.critical-environment.com.

Written by: Ambur Vilac, Pat Allinson & Teresa Kouch

References

“ASHRAE Standard: Ventilation for Accepting Indoor Air Quality”. ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2010. 2010. Web. 20 Feb 2012. .

“Division V: Air Quality: 44 Methods.” Regulation respecting occupational health and safety. 1 May 2012. Web. 15 May 2012. .

“Guidelines Part 5 Ventilation: G5.62 Ventilation.” Occupational Health and Safety Regulation: Section 5.62. 29 October 2003. Web. 14 May 2012. .

“Review of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004: Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality – Part 2.” Workplace Hygiene. 2009. Web. 20 Feb 2012. .

“Sensor Mounting Heights & Location”. Critical Environment Technologies Canada Inc. 2012. Web. 01 June 2012. < http://www.critical-environment.com/technicallibrary/sensor-mounting.html>.

Critical Environment Technologies Canada Inc. (CETCI) has doubled its manufacturing and office space to approximately 11,000 square feet as of December 1, 2010.

The service department and production department for portable IAQ instruments have moved into the new additional space. Meanwhile, production department for fixed gas detectors has utilized the space vacated by the portables and service departments in the current plant. Lean manufacturing process principles will continue to be executed as it is one of the basis of CETCI’s success.

The expansion has allowed CETCI to hire more staff in various departments to help increase overall productivity. Despite the recession, CETCI has steadily continued to grow and hire year after year. Just in the past four months alone, CETCI has hired five new employees to join their team. 2011 is no exception. CETCI plans to continue to hire more staff in the coming months to assist in the various departments, production specifically. This plant-wide expansion has and will create several new jobs locally.

With additional staff, CETCI will be able to ensure sustainable customer satisfaction by meeting their customer’s expectations in technology, innovation, support and service.

In addition to expanding plant facility, CETCI has undertaken some energy savings initiative that will reduce electricity consumption. All lighting fixtures and bulbs in all occupied spaces have been replaced with more energy efficient ones.

For more information on the entire range of gas detection systems and IAQ instruments, please visit www.critical-environment.com.

Want to be the first to be notified on updates?

Simply visit www.critical-environment.com, subscribe to CETCI Magazine Blog, find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter: @cetci, connect with us on LinkedIn, or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Critical Environment Technologies Canada Inc. (CETCI) is proud to receive the BACnet^® Testing Laboratories (BTL) certification for PET BACnet^® gas detection transmitter on October 15, 2010.

BTL was established by BACnet^® International to test product functionalities based on the BACnet^® standards. BTL’s mandatory requirements must be met in order to be BTL listed.

PET BACnet^® gas detection transmitter has passed the BTL requirements for the BACnet^® Smart Sensor (B-SS) designation. PET is a “Parkade Emissions Transmitter” that communicates via BACnet^® protocol MS/TP and is available with one or two electrochemical sensors or solid-state sensor and temperature sensor. Electrochemical sensor choices include ammonia (NH₃), chlorine (Cl₂), carbon monoxide (CO), ethylene (C₂H₄), formaldehyde (HCHO), hydrogen (H₂), hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), oxygen (O₂), ozone (O₃), and sulphur dioxide (SO₂). Solid state sensor choices include combustibles and refrigerants. PET features thermal resetting fuse, tri-color LED indicators for power and alarm, and an optional 4-digit LED display. In addition, PET includes a new sensor Calibration Extending Firmware (CEF) that takes into account the aging of the sensors so that less frequent calibrations are acceptable in non-critical applications. PET is ideal for use in non-hazardous vehicle exhaust environments, commercial HVAC and light industrial applications.

Every CETCI product is designed to deliver years of reliable operation and is easy to operate.

For more information on the entire range of gas detection systems and IAQ instruments, please visit www.critical-environment.com.

Want to be the first to be notified on updates?

Simply visit www.critical-environment.com, subscribe to CETCI Magazine Blog, find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter: @cetci, connect with us on LinkedIn, or subscribe to our RSS feed.