Rescue Talk™
Roco Safety Tip:
Continuous Air Monitoring for All Permit Required Confined Spaces
Between 2011 and 2018, 1,030 workers died in confined spaces in the United States alone. More than 60% of those deaths were tied to hazardous atmospheres. In many cases, the air either wasn’t properly monitored, or it changed after entry. A space can meet acceptable entry conditions at the start of the shift and still become dangerous later. Conditions outside the space or even the work inside the space can create hazards. Atmospheres are dynamic and we should treat them that way.
In the field, we still see the same habit. The monitor comes out for the initial check, readings look good, and then it gets pulled out, clipped off, or turned off and set aside. The assumption is that “it tested fine” so it will stay fine. Continuous monitoring is one of the simplest and easiest actions you can take to save lives in confined space work. Modern meters will run all shift and more. If you bought it, you’re not paying more to run it. If you rented it, get your money’s worth. If the space can change, our monitoring has to account for that. So, keep those monitors running. Make sure those acceptable entry conditions are met the entirety of any entry. And, remember, there’s a safe way, and a safer way.
