Page 32 - OHS, January/February 2021

IH: CHEMICAL SAFETY
How to Select Fixed and Portable Gas Detection to Make the Chemical Industry Safer
Gas detection is a vital element of chemical safety—luckily, technology can help.
TBY MARY FURTO
aking steps to protect chemical industry workers against toxic and flammable gases is vital, now more than ever. Hazardous gases are a major risk to workers across the chemical industry. Selecting and using gas detection
correctly is essential.
In recent months, chemical plants around the world have
stepped up their production to join the fight against COVID-19. Keeping on top of gas risks during these busy times is paramount. This article looks at some of the most common gas-related risks
to workers across chemical manufacturing applications. It provides useful guidance on how to select fixed and portable gas detection technology correctly.
The Chemical Industry in the COVID-19 Era:
New and Old Challenges
Exposure to toxic gases is a risk that many chemical industry workers face. Managing this risk during the COVID-19 pandemic is especially challenging.
Many chemical manufacturing facilities are under added pressure to meet growing demand for products such as disinfectants, hand sanitizers and surfactants for soaps.1 At the same time, pharmaceutical companies are racing to produce drugs
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and vaccines at record speed. Demand for medicines used to treat COVID-19 patients has soared 700 percent since January 2020.2
Ensuring safety while maintaining the highest levels of productivity presents unique challenges to health and safety professionals. The growing use of hazardous chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol (IPA) in the production process adds a new level of complexity. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a recent survey found that worker health and safety was top of mind for many executives in the chemical industry.3 But the industry faces other major challenges, with a likely downturn on the horizon.4 Keeping costs down and increasing efficiency without compromising safety are top priorities.
Hazardous Gases Continue to Risk Workers
Toxic and flammable gases continue to pose a serious threat to the chemical industry workforce. In 2019, 7.5 in 10,000 chemical manufacturing workers in the United States suffered illnesses due to exposure to harmful substances.5 Across all industries, 3,360 incidents involving inhalation of harmful substances were reported, adding to 1,700 caused by fires and explosions.6
The types of hazardous gases vary from one application to another. Here are some typical examples: