The Confined Space Roundup - January 2016

Our January newsletter has hit the streets.  Click here to read and share!

Gas Detection in Confined Spaces

We were recently asked to contribute to an article dealing with best practices for working in Confined Spaces where there is a risk of exposure to SF6 gas.

Command Training teamed up with Thorne & Derrick (one of the largest specialist distributors and worldwide exporters of electrical, mechanical, process, instrumentation, safety, and load securing equipment) and Crowcon (manufacturers of exceptional gas detectors) to produce this article:

"SF6 Gas Detection for HV GIS Switchgear - Crowcon F-Gas Detector".

Enjoy!

ABB ELK-5 Gas Insulated Switchgear Up To 1200kV

 

SF6 Gas Detection For HV GIS Switchgear - Crowcon F-Gas Detector - See more at: http://www.cablejoints.co.uk/blog/article/sf6-gas-detector-crowcon-fgas?utm_content=buffer15c79&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer#sthash.aadLho27.dpuf

Thorne & Derrick was established in 1985 and are now one of largest specialist distributors and worldwide exporters of Electrical, Mechanical, Process, Instrumentation, Safety & Load Securing Equipment. - See more at: http://thorneandderrick.com/about/#sthash.oooVTBUA.dpuf

Thorne & Derrick was established in 1985 and are now one of largest specialist distributors and worldwide exporters of Electrical, Mechanical, Process, Instrumentation, Safety & Load Securing Equipment. - See more at: http://thorneandderrick.com/about/#sthash.oooVTBUA.dpuf

Thorne & Derrick was established in 1985 and are now one of largest specialist distributors and worldwide exporters of Electrical, Mechanical, Process, Instrumentation, Safety & Load Securing Equipment. - See more at: http://thorneandderrick.com/about/#sthash.oooVTBUA.dpuf

Thorne & Derrick was established in 1985 and are now one of largest specialist distributors and worldwide exporters of Electrical, Mechanical, Process, Instrumentation, Safety & Load Securing Equipment. - See more at: http://thorneandderrick.com/about/#sthash.oooVTBUA.dpuf

Thorne & Derrick was established in 1985 and are now one of largest specialist distributors and worldwide exporters of Electrical, Mechanical, Process, Instrumentation, Safety & Load Securing Equipment. - See more at: http://thorneandderrick.com/about/#sthash.oooVTBUA.dpuf

6 Types of Confined Spaces

This really is the coolest infographic!  The folks at Roco Rescue say that you can click here to get your own copy.  Awfully nice of them.














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How To Get The Most Use Out Of Your Gas Monitor In Cold Weather

Ever wondered if cold weather adversely affects your monitors?  And if it does, what can you do to minimize the effects?  Industrial Scientific's Brad Day provides helpful insights for all you unfortunate souls who have to work out in the cold.  Thankfully, with summer around the corner, maybe you can just tuck this article away for the next few months!  ow.ly/MsUuU

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Your Next Rainy Day Confined Space Drill

Check out Roco Rescue's most recent Quick Drill: ow.ly/MsTa0

Maybe your company already has solid pre-planning for every permit-required confined space in your facility.  Maybe you routinely test your anchor and attachment points.  But what if, due to the nature of the emergency or rigging equipment failure, you were forced to identify new anchor points?  Could your team do so confidently and safely?  Use Roco's drill for a fun training exercise that's sure to sharpen your people's skills.

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What Options Do I Have If I Can't Filter Or Purify The Air In My Confined Space?

The folks at PK Safety outline your 2 options.  ow.ly/MsSUb

At Command Training, you'll find our instructors and Confined Space specialists making entry with both SCBAs and supplied air from a Scott Air-Cart, depending on what the environment calls for.  What's in your cache?

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5 Life Safety Principles when working around Confined Spaces

Read Scott Goodwin's article, recently featured in Firehouse magazine, for a list of best practices when engaged in work around Confined Spaces.  We couldn't agree more, Scott!  ow.ly/LPytT

5 Things You Need To Know About Temporary Area Monitoring

Great article featured on the Occupational Health and Safety website about determining if your Confined Space operations would benefit from temporary area monitors.  ow.ly/LPw5p 

How awesome would it be to have a knot named after you in your own lifetime? Meet the Munter Hitch!

Named for Werner Munter, this hitch is a must-know for simple belay rigging.  The good people at CMC Rescue show us how.

 

Your own portable High Point Anchor: the Tripod!

Confined Space work would be so much more difficult without this versatile piece of equipment.  The folks at D2000 Safety have a quick reminder about living within the "footprint".  ow.ly/LPq2X 

Are you using the right gloves for your Confined Space work?

Here's a brief comparison by PK Safety of the different types of gloves available on the market for Confined Space work of all kinds.  When you are finished reading, you can skip over to their online store armed with your new knowledge and treat yourself to a new pair.  ow.ly/LvTGt

In the market for a new VOC portable gas detector?

Check out Crowcon’s Gas-Pro PID.  The optional pump, ideal for Confined Space work, has a user-friendly pre-entry check mode.  ow.ly/LvVhL

The OSHA rule on Confined Spaces in Construction is coming...

Are you ready?  The National Safety Council update: ow.ly/LvUEo

Contact Command Training to discuss all your training, standby, and consultation needs.  We train so that everyone goes home at the end of the day!

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6 Causes of Oxygen Depletion in a Confined Space

Are you familiar with the MADCOW acronym?  Here's a helpful review of the dangers of low oxygen levels as well as flammable and toxic gases present in Confined Spaces.  ow.ly/LvSiM

Microbiological Action (bacteria) 
Absorbtion (chemical processes)
Displacement by other gases (eg, Nitrogen, CO2)
Combustion (fires, generators, etc)
Oxidation (rusting)
Work (respiration: people and animals)

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What's your Pickoff plan?

Check out the JAG SYSTEM, by Petzl.  With a 4:1 M/A, this is a simple, clean option to beef up your rescue cache. 

Are you asking the right questions when the O2 level is below 20.9%?

We're reaching way back for this article written by John Rekus in 1999, but it's worth taking it back off the shelf for another read.  Bottom line: if your O2 levels are lower than normal, something has caused that drop.  Better be on your toes!  ow.ly/Lha5z

Inert Gases? It's all about the Size-Up.

What would you do if you needed to make entry into a Confined Space that had been flooded with inert gas?  Better think hard before ventilating...  Great article from the folks at PK Safety.  ow.ly/LeekV

Ladders in tight spaces... does the angle really matter?

NIOSH thinks so.  Here's their incredibly easy-to-use Ladder Safety app, available in English and Spanish.  ow.ly/L6UU7

 

Is "Call 9-1-1" an acceptable Standby plan?

Relying on the local Fire Department for your Permit-Required Confined Space entries? Here are some things to consider before making your next entry.  ow.ly/KVR2u

Now that's a battery!

2 months of continuous run time battery life!  Check out the MGC by Gas Clip Technologies.  ow.ly/KVNYc