Importance Of Oxygen Level At Workplace

www.safetygoodwe.com

Chapter : Gas & Oil Safety

Importance Of Oxygen Level At Workplace 

Oxygen levels at work can be hazardous if they are too high or too low. The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) has strict guidelines for oxygen levels in the workplace: 

• Oxygen-deficient atmospheres: OSH considers an atmosphere with less than 19.5% oxygen to be oxygen-deficient and immediately dangerous to life or health. In these conditions, OSHA requires employers to provide employees with a self-contained breathing apparatus or a full-facepiece pressure-demand supplied-air respirator. 
• Oxygen-rich atmospheres: Oxygen levels above 23.5% can cause combustible gases to ignite workplace safety contexts. 
• Confined spaces: Workers should sample and monitor oxygen levels before entering and while working in confined spaces. 
• Altitude: Above 14,000 feet, OSH requires oxygen-enriched breathing air. 

Oxygen Hazards : 

When the oxygen concentration in an environment reaches 23.5% or higher, it's considered an oxygen-enriched atmosphere can causes significant incidents, particularly regarding fire hazards. Here's the key information:

1. Fire hazard: At 23.5% oxygen or above, the risk of fire increases significantly. Materials that don't normally burn in air might ignite more easily and burn more intensely.
2. Safety threshold: Many safety regulations and guidelines, including those from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), use 23.5% as a critical threshold for oxygen-enriched atmospheres.
3. Workplace safety: In industries where oxygen is used or produced, maintaining levels below 23.5% is crucial for fire prevention and overall safety.
4. Monitoring requirement: When working in environments where oxygen levels can fluctuate, continuous monitoring is often required to ensure levels don't exceed this threshold.
5. Special precautions: If oxygen levels reach or exceed 23.5%, special fire prevention measures and safety protocols typically need to be implemented.

This 23.5% threshold is particularly important in industries like healthcare, welding, chemical processing, and any field where pure oxygen might be used or produced.

Some other safety tips for working with oxygen include:

1. Oxygen is not a flammable gas, but it will enrich the air when released and cause combustible materials to burn fiercely.
2. Oxygen can cause oil or grease to ignite spontaneously, so these must not be used on threads or couplings on cylinders.
3. Do not handle oxygen cylinders, valves or any other fittings with greasy hands, gloves, or rags.
4. Close down equipment when not in use to prevent tubes and regulators being under unnecessary pressure.
5. Do not store cylinders of oxygen and combustible gases together.
6. Cylinders, valves, and outlets must not be damaged.
7. Do not use cylinders as rollers for moving materials or equipment.
8. Wearing protective gloves and clothing
9. Wearing indirect-vent, impact and splash resistant goggles when working with liquid oxygen
10. Wearing a face shield along with goggles when working with corrosive, highly irritating or toxic substances 
11. OXYGEN MUST NOT BE USED TO:
• Ventilate confined spaces.
• Cool yourself down when hot.
• Clear flammable or other vapors from containers or areas.
• Remove dust from personal clothing.
• Drive compressed-air tools.