From demolition and welding to excavation and confined space work, the construction industry faces numerous toxic gas hazards that endanger both workers and the environment, making gas detection non-negotiable.
The construction industry comes with its own unique set of risks, through the use of specific equipment, transport and the undertaking of sector specific activities which release toxic gasses and contaminants that pose harm to both your people and the environment. These hazardous gasses include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2), Methane (CH4), Oxygen (O2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s).
Here we break down these risks, and how to help mitigate them.
Confined Space Entry
Workers are more at risk from hazardous gasses and fumes when they are operating within confined spaces. Those entering these spaces need to be protected from the presence of flammable or/and toxic gasses such as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Undertaking clearance measurements and pre-entry safety checks are paramount to ensure safety before a worker enters the space. In confined spaces, gas detection equipment must be worn continuously in case environmental shifts mean the space is no longer safe to work in, due to a leak for example, and evacuation is needed.
Gas hazards Around Construction
The construction industry comes with its own unique set of risks, through the use of specific equipment, transport and the undertaking of sector specific activities which release toxic gasses and contaminants that pose harm to both your people and the environment. These hazardous gasses include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2), Methane (CH4), Oxygen (O2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). Tab down, here we break down these risks, and how to help mitigate them.
Trenching & Shoring
During excavation works, such as trenching and shoring, construction workers are at risk of inhaling harmful gasses generated by degradable materials present in certain ground types. If undetected, as well as posing risks to the construction workforce, they can also migrate through subsoil and cracks into the completed building and harm housing residents. Trenched areas can also have reduced oxygen levels, as well as contain toxic gasses and chemicals. In these cases, atmospheric testing should be performed in excavations that exceed four feet. There is also the risk of hitting utility lines when digging which can cause natural gas leaks and lead to worker fatalities.
Gas hazards Around Construction
The construction industry comes with its own unique set of risks, through the use of specific equipment, transport and the undertaking of sector specific activities which release toxic gasses and contaminants that pose harm to both your people and the environment. These hazardous gasses include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2), Methane (CH4), Oxygen (O2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). Tab down, here we break down these risks, and how to help mitigate them.
Building Material Storage
Many of the materials used within construction can release toxic compounds (VOC’s). These can form in a variety of states (solid or liquid) and come from materials such as adhesives, natural and plywoods, paint, and building partitions. Pollutants include phenol, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde. When ingested, workers can suffer from nausea, headaches, asthma, cancer and even death. VOCs are specifically dangerous when consumed within confined spaces, due to the risk of asphyxiation or explosion.
Gas hazards Around Construction
The construction industry comes with its own unique set of risks, through the use of specific equipment, transport and the undertaking of sector specific activities which release toxic gasses and contaminants that pose harm to both your people and the environment. These hazardous gasses include Carbon Monoxide (CO), Chlorine Dioxide (CLO2), Methane (CH4), Oxygen (O2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s). Tab down, here we break down these risks, and how to help mitigate them.
Welding & Cutting
Gasses are produced during the welding and cutting process, including carbon dioxide from the decomposition of fluxes, carbon monoxide from the breakdown of carbon dioxide shielding gas in arc welding, as well as ozone, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen chloride and phosgene from other processes. Fumes are created when a metal is heated above its boiling point and then its vapors condense into fine particles, known as solid particulates. These fumes are obviously a hazard for those working in the sector and illustrate the importance of reliable gas detection equipment to reduce exposure.
Health & Safety Standards
Although not a legal requirement, International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards are widely recognised as making the construction industry a safer sector by establishing global design and manufacturing definitions for almost all processes. They outline specifications for best practice and safety requirements within the construction industry from the ground up.
Split across multiple different certificates, all of which recognise varying elements of safety, efficiency and quality within an organization, ISO standards cover best practice across safety, healthcare, transportation, environmental management and family.
No one understands better than our team just how important the right detection solutions are for you and your site. That’s why we’re always on hand to talk you through your gas-detection needs, to ensure you’re equipped with precisely the right tools to keep your people and property safe.
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