Equipment

Ventilation

There are two basic types of ventilation equipment:

• Dilution ventilation lowers the concentration of atmospheric hazards by bringing in fresh air. This is a more basic form of ventilation.
• Exhaust ventilation works by enclosing the source of the hazard as much as possible and ensuring enough air flow to manage the material in question. This is preferable for more serious atmospheric hazards.

Monitoring Equipment

Any monitoring equipment you use should have an alarm so that if levels ever go above the acceptable short-term exposure level or time-weighted average, you know right away.

The following are types of monitoring equipment you are likely to encounter:

• Electronic gas monitors
• Electrochemical sensors
• Catalytic (CAT) oxidation sensors
• Infrared combustible gas sensors
• Photo ionization detector (PID) sensors

Remember, for all types of sensors, calibration and maintenance are key. If a sensor is not properly calibrated, its readings will be inaccurate, making it worthless to workers. All sensors are different, so make sure you read the manual and safety instructions for each sensor you must use.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal protective equipment (PPE) in a confined space includes items such as helmets, gloves, and steel-toed boots.

PPE also includes respirators, which are one of the most important types of PPE used in a confined space. There are several types of respirators, which will be discussed in further detail in the unit about personal protective equipment.

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