Confined Space Gas Testing

Overview

Confined Space Gas Testing should be managed through a planned system of work: identify the task-specific hazards, eliminate exposure where practical, use engineered or collective controls before relying on PPE, verify critical safeguards before starting, and stop the task when controls are missing or conditions change. This guide applies those principles specifically to atmospheric testing before and during confined-space entry.

Main Hazards

• • Testing at only one level despite gas stratification
• • Using an overdue, damaged or incorrectly configured detector
• • Oxygen deficiency or enrichment
• • Toxic or flammable atmosphere
• • Engulfment, entrapment or difficult rescue

Essential Controls

1. 1Test oxygen, flammability and relevant toxic contaminants with a suitable calibrated instrument.
2. 2Sample representative levels and continue monitoring whenever conditions can change.
3. 3Identify permit-space hazards and isolate connected energy, process and material sources.
4. 4Test the atmosphere with suitable calibrated instruments before and during entry as required.
5. 5Provide ventilation, communication, attendant coverage and controlled entry authorization.
6. 6Prepare non-entry or entry rescue arrangements appropriate to the space and hazards.

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