Dangers In The Air

Category: Finance, Real Estate.

A lot of us strive to avoid" venting" when we re angry or frustrated. When you re approaching a confined space, always make sure the atmosphere is properly vented with specialized ventilation equipment( such as a RamFan) before entering.

However, there s one time when it s essential to vent, in the original meaning of the word. Dangers in the air. Carbon monoxide has no odor or color. Elements in the atmosphere that can harm you are not always detectable without special equipment, such as gas detectors. Too much carbon monoxide in the air prevents your lungs from being able to take in oxygen. Hydrogen sulfide has no color, but does have a strong" rotten egg" odor at low concentrations, and deadens your sense of smell at higher levels. Carbon monoxide is also a combustible gas that gets into the air when machines do not completely burn gas, oil and other fossil fuels.

It is also flammable and is created by the decay of organic matter that is found in sewers and sewage treatment plants. As these and any number of other gases build up, breathable air is displaced, which can lead to suffocation. Methane has no color or odor, in addition to causing explosions. A simple lack of sufficient oxygen in a confined space can lead to tragedy. A worker was entered a service chamber approximately 12 feet deep to perform some inspection and maintenance activities. In one sad incident, both a worker and a would- be rescuer succumbed to an oxygen- deficient atmosphere.

Part way down the ladder, the worker began to feel disoriented and clumsy but he continued on to the bottom. He quickly lost consciousness. By the time he realized that he was in mortal danger, he was too weak to go back up the ladder or to cry for help. A passerby above ground noticed the open chamber. When the worker did not respond to his calls, the passerby decided to go down himself. He was surprised to see the worker sprawled at the bottom of the chamber. He made it to the bottom of the chamber but collapsed shortly after on top of the worker.

The bodies of the worker and the would- be rescuer were visible at the bottom, so the supervisor called for emergency help. When the worker did not report back at the end of his shift, the supervisor went to check out the job site. The fire department pulled up the bodies, but they could not be resuscitated. Solution: good venting. The ensuing investigation revealed that rusting equipment had created an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Both OSHA and API standards state that good work practices in a confined space necessitate continuous ventilation before and during the work performed in a confined space. When you need access to a confined space, be sure to ventilate the air with specialized equipment, such as a RamFan.

The objective of a good ventilation system is to first remove gas from the confined space and then to stabilize the space by providing continuous fresh air to the workers. Some tips: Even if you see the space has a source of natural ventilation, you won t want to rely on it alone. If mechanical ventilation is provided, there should be a warning system in place that immediately sounds an alert if air quality degrades even while venting. Mechanical ventilation such as a RamFan is usually necessary to maintain air quality. Consequently, any venting system should be used with a gas detector that constantly monitors the air. You don t want to be blowing unhealthy air into the area. Care should be taken to make sure the air being provided by the ventilation system to the confined space is safe.

Even with ventilation, be alert to possible pockets of toxic gases still remaining. Increasing the oxygen content will significantly increase the risk of fire and explosion. Never substitute oxygen for fresh air. The use of mechanical ventilation should be noted on the entry permit. Consider the hazards before you start, and vent appropriately! Safety is paramount whenever you re attempting to enter an unfamiliar environment.

Read more...

Tammany Parish - Britney Schwartzkopf's Finance and Real Estate blog:

St. It offers great quality of life, low living costs, booming economy, great medical facilities and, to top it all off, an enviable school district.

Investing In An International Property Is An Excellent Method To Make Money - Araceli Maliszewski's Finance and Real Estate blog:

Every investor is likely to be highly interested in buying investment property in Cyprus.

Timeshare Properties Are Usually Found In Warm Destinations Like Florida, Where People Like To Vacation A Lot - Finance and Real Estate Blog:

A time share is a name given to a piece of property shared among number of owners.