Ignoring alarms is Crowcon’s sixth in the series of Deadly Sins of Gas Detection. Alarms may be ignored if they go off so frequently that they become a source of annoyance rather than a vital piece of safety equipment. However, there have been incidents when a history of such spurious alarms has led to the detector being ignored or switched off, with disastrous results.
Introducing other hazards is the fifth in Crowcon’s series of Deadly Sins of Gas Detection. Most working environments where gas detection is required are already hazardous enough. The irony of using a gas detector that ends up being the cause of non-gas-related accident would not be an amusing one. Improvements in a variety of gas detection technologies mean that now this can often be avoided. Continue reading “Deadly Sin No.5 – introducing other hazards”
Ignoring Training is the fourth in Crowcon’s series of Deadly Sins of Gas Detection. Training is a vital aspect not just of the safe use but also proper maintenance of detection equipment, which can be overlooked. This could equally be management not properly providing training in the first place and the trainer or trainee not properly understanding or heeding it.
“Using the wrong equipment” is the third of Crowcon’s Deadly Sins of Gas Detection. The best of gas detection intentions can be undermined by use of the detection equipment not up to the job. There are many ways in which the accuracy and safety of gas detection equipment can be inadvertently compromised but there are some errors which can be easily avoided. To illustrate the point, here are some examples:
Continue reading “Deadly sin no.3- using the wrong equipment”
Do the sensors and alarms on your gas detector all work? Have they been inhibited by using the wrong cleaning solution or have their openings become obstructed by mud? How do you know? There are many reasons why a portable gas detector may not react to gas that can only be picked up by a bump test. Read more…
We recently ran a series of articles call the “Seven Deadly Sins of Gas Detection”. By highlighting the most common causes and effects of each ”sin”, we wanted to provide managers and employees with a greater awareness of what we believe are the Seven Deadly Sins of gas detection, how to avoid them and save lives. For the same reason, we are sharing them as our blog posts for the next seven weeks.
The ATEX, LVD & EMC Directives changed on the 20th April 2016 with immediate effect. For the most part, the changes are driven by the New Legislative Framework and include a move to a common document format, whilst at the same time clarifying the obligations of various parties. The key content that applies to Manufacturers (the scope, safety requirements and conformity assessment procedure) remains the same.
Continue reading “New Legislative Directives – what are the changes?”
Reducing time exposed to hazards is key to minimising risk. We review some of the multiple benefits that developments in gas detection technology are introducing, to reduce the amount of time operators must spend in hazardous areas and improve worker safety.
Logically, people assume the lower the gas detection alarm level, the safer the working environment, as the body will be exposed to less poisonous gas. However, this is not always the best option! If set too low, they can cause spurious alarms and unnecessary disruption. Worse still, these wolf cries have led to many incidents of detectors being ignored or switched off; with terrible results1.
Gas detection is a critical safety function in many industries, to protect people from harm and avoid costly plant disruption or damage. Not only must you use a suitable instrument for the task and the environment, but it must be used correctly and maintained properly if it is to fully serve its purpose.
