5 Reasons You Need a Gas Monitor

by George Henry Publisher

In any work environment where there's manufacturing, cooking, transportation, or any other circumstance where gases may be present, it's vitally important you have a gas detection monitor. If you manage such an establishment, the safety of you and your workers is your responsibility, so it's not worth taking any chances. Here are a few reasons why a gas monitor is a necessity.

1. Oxygen Levels

Even non-flammable or hazardous gases an lower the oxygen level of an environment. When an environment drops below the atmospheric level of 21%, workers can start to feel dizzy, and even pass out. As they approach lower levels, it can become difficult to concentrate. Workers can suffer from headaches, and become forgetful, which can lead to other hazards. An oxygen monitor usually sounds an alarm when the oxygen level dips to 19.5%, so employees can evacuate the building while the problem is investigated. Mobile monitors are helpful as well. When there is a leak that affects a confined area, the the oxygen level could drop precipitously in that area, while barely affecting the rest of the building.

2. The Threat of Flammable Gas

A leak of flammable gas is one of the most dangerous problems anyone can confront. Having a gas monitor will detect such leaks far before they become a threat. Typically, alarms start going off when the amount of flammable gas reaches 10% of what is required to cause an explosion. A working gas monitor provides ample time to investigate and shut off the gas before there's a serious problem.

3. Toxic Gases

Particularly a problem in refinery and petrochemical industries, H2S and CO can appear out of nowhere, immediately threatening employees with the risk of sickness and even death. An H2S gas monitor can locate such threats so they can be addressed far in advance of any potential injury.

4. Duct Monitoring

In semiconductor manufacturing, toxic and flammable gases are necessary parts of the process. To clear the area of these gases, ventilation ducts are used to draw them away from employees. Keeping these ducts regularly monitored is an important way to ensure that leaking doesn't impact the ducts' performance.

5. Confined Spaces

Some businesses don't use flammable or toxic gases on a regular basis, but any place where these may appear in a confined space can be hazardous. You don't want a worker to be operating in a tunnel, or in a cramped environment if there's any possibility of hazardous gases being present.

Protecting your place of business with a CO, oxygen, or H2S gas monitor is one of the best things you can do to ensure a safe work environment.