Portable
Gas Detection and Ontario’s Confined Space Legislation
The confined
space requirements in Ontario have changed. The Ministry
of Labour has amended each of the sector specific
regulations by changing the definitions in the Industrial
Establishments Regulation (O. Reg. 851), here's how a confined
space is now defined:
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A
confined space is defined as a fully or partially enclosed
space
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It is
a space that is not designed and constructed for
continuous human occupancy
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It is
a space where atmospheric hazards may happen because of the
construction of the space and the location of the space
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It is
a space where atmospheric hazards may occur because of the
contents in the space or because of work that is done in the
space.
The
regulations governing exposure limits have also change and in some
cases there is a requirement that proper monitoring
equipment be in place to protect people working in this type of
environment. The Ministry of Labour has taken this legislation
very seriously as fines are issued almost on a weekly basis as
well as the occasional jail term to management personnel, field
supervisors and even the individual worker.
Chemicals
in the workplace are a very real and daily danger to all employees
and a constant concern for both maintenance and health and safety
professionals. While some basic training is provided to most
workers (WHMIS etc), the threat of toxic fumes and explosive
gases requires more than just rudimentary courses in reading
labels and placards.
This
presentation will cover common workplace chemical hazards, the
technology behind portable gas detection instrumentation, the
current Ontario regulations and also where science is leading gas
detection over the next several years.
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