FEATURE
GAS SAFETY IN SMALL FACILITIES
Obtaining good advice from trusted partners is an effective way for health and safety professionals to efficiently address gas safety concerns, says Adam Pope, Gas Safety expert at Draeger Safety UK.
The presence of gas hazards presents health and safety considerations which are relevant in a wide variety of workplaces and industrial settings, from the use of oxygen and carbon dioxide in hospitals, carbon dioxide in drinks production, chlorine in leisure centres, hydrogen in the petrochemical industries or carbon monoxide or methane in boiler rooms.
The wide variety of gases and their different applications, combined with the potential high-risk nature of the hazards involved, can make gas safety seem a challenging area, further complicated by regularly evolving legislation and advice.
As a result, it can be hard to know the best approach to take to ensure the safety of workers, and more broadly, of the plant as a whole, an issue which is brought into particularly sharp focus in smaller and lower complexity settings such as individual boiler rooms or laboratories, or small/ independent food manufacturing facilities.
In such settings, health and safety knowledge (and resources) may be more limited, and the ability to work in partnership with an experienced firm can be particularly valuable.
EXAMPLE: THE USE OF AMMONIA IN FOOD REFRIGERATION Ammonia is commonly used in food refrigeration systems and is therefore often employed in small independent food facilities.
Whilst its pungent odour is distinctive and unmistakable, its dangers are significant. In lower concentrations, inhalation can lead to irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and prolonged exposure can result in severe respiratory complications, and can even be fatal. Another, often overlooked, danger is its explosive nature when present in higher volumes.
As a result, an accidental release of ammonia can not only pose immediate health risks but can also lead to explosive incidents if not promptly monitored and managed.
In such settings, correctly positioning gas detectors and audio-visual alarms, particularly in critical areas, is essential for reliably monitoring ammonia and ensuring the protection of both employees and assets.
Although each facility is different, and likely to have unique requirements, with the right knowledge and advice, the solution itself need not be overly complicated. A well-designed gas safety detection system, tailored to the site’s specific needs following
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a survey, will be effective in monitoring for any leaks, providing a complete solution.
Once installed, the system can be fully tested by the equipment provider and set up to trigger alarms for both gas concentrations above defined exposure limits, and also explosive potential, ensuring that timely action can be taken, whether an emergency evacuation, automated ventilation, or a shutdown.
As long as regular service and maintenance schedules are up to date, such a solution can be left to operate in the background.
Three key points for health and safety managers to consider when it comes to gas safety in smaller or lower complexity settings:
• Keep it simple – particularly for smaller industrial settings. A well-chosen gas detection system supported by expert advice from a knowledgeable provider is often more than enough for lower- complexity environments.
• Ask the company with which you are considering working what experience they have in your industry and make sure that they are capable of handling the full range of gas safety issues in your business. Additionally, ensure the company has strong engineering, installation and service and maintenance capabilities to support you through the process and look after your system longer-term.
• Consider the total cost of ownership of gas detection and monitoring devices. Quality can vary, and it’s important to ask, for example, how long consumable parts such as sensors or batteries should last – there can be significant differences in the lifespan of such parts, and the frequency with which they may need to be replaced can make the difference between good and poor value in the long term.
Gas safety is an issue that is attracting growing focus, not least with the increased use of new and more environmentally sustainable practices and materials. Obtaining good advice from trusted partners is an effective way for health and safety professionals to efficiently address gas safety concerns, from the small and simple to the sophisticated and complex, ensuring peace of mind for all concerned.
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