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Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 2
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres
About this training

What are the safe oxygen
concentration limits?
What are the signs and symptoms of
oxygen deficiency?
How and where can oxygen
deficiency occur?
What are examples of confined
spaces and enclosed areas?
How are nitrogen and other inert
gases used?
What protective measures should be
taken when an oxygen deficiency
hazard exists?
What action should be taken if an
unplanned exposure occurs?
Focus our attention on
the hazards associated
with nitrogen use
more respect & less
complacency
Identify protective
measures to consider
when using nitrogen
Nitrogen Use
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 3
Nitrogen Hazard Awareness
Nitrogen is a common gas
it is readily available in most plant locations
through utility distribution systems,compressed gas cylinders, etc.
it is required for many plant operations
so its used almost daily
it is oftentimes piped into our buildings
for lab instruments, packaging purges, etc.
it makes up 78% of the air we breathe
BUT because nitrogen is so common, we sometimes forget its
hazardous nature and become complacent in how we deal with it.
Not readily detectable:
without an instrument
odorless, colorless
Cant predict stratification - almost same
weight as air - will it rise or sink? Cant tell.
Very few warning signs of over exposure.
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 4
Primary Health Concern
Inert Gases (including Nitrogen) are non-
toxic inert asphyxiants
non-toxic = not poisonous
inert = non-reactive
asphyxiant = DEADLY

Asphyxiants displace oxygen ...
Death is due
not to the presence of nitrogen
but due to the absence of oxygen.
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 5
Oxygen Concentration
23.5%
DANGER
19.5%
SAFE
DANGER
Oxygen
Enrichment
Asphyxiation
16%
Impaired judgment &
breathing
14%
Faulty judgment & rapid
fatigue
6%
Difficulty in breathing,
death in minutes
O
x
y
g
e
n

C
o
n
c
e
n
t
r
a
t
i
o
n

Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 6
Examples
Confined
Spaces
Tanks, process vessels, pits, vaults, tank
cars/trucks, etc.
Enclosed
Areas With
Restricted
Ventilation
Analyzer buildings, deluge houses,
baghouses, drumming stations, pump
houses, boiler rooms, and temporary
enclosures.

Equipment inspection covers (plastic or
canvas tarpaulins), asbestos containment
enclosures, abrasive blasting enclosures,
weather protection enclosures, welding
enclosures
Near Vent
Openings
Tank gauging ports and hatches, vent
lines, etc.
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 7
Protective Measures
#1 Do not use inert gases:
To drive pneumatic tools, ventilation equipment,
other gas-driven equipment
To inflate vehicle tires,
To dust equipment, machinery, or clothing,
To clear potable water lines or other water lines
that are located in occupied buildings
For spray painting
For abrasive blasting
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 8
#2 Post caution signs
Readily apparent to workers
Examples
Equipment openings where an inert gas purge, blanket, or
sweep could be in an area accessible to workers,
Equipment that contains an inert gas under normal operating
conditions and could expose workers to an oxygen-deficient
atmosphere when opened to perform a task, and
Buildings (e.g., bag houses, analyzer buildings) which could
accumulate an inert gas due to leaks.
CAUTION
NITROGEN
Asphyxiation Hazard
Protective Measures (continued)
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 9
CAUTION
NITROGEN
Asphyxiation Hazard
Minimize purge rate
Use a Red Tag
Addendum
Route to an inaccessible
area
If accessible:
Cap, cover, wrap & tape
Barricade
Do not allow it to
accumulate
Protective Measures (continued)
#3 Purging Out-Of-Service Equipment
ENERGY CONTROL PLAN _____
EQUIPMENT _______________
_________________________
_________________________
JOB DESCRIPTION __________
_________________________
_________________________
ISOLATION/DE-ENERGIZATION
NAME OF ISOLATION REVIEWER
____________________
COMMENTS/PRECAUTIONS
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
TEMPORARY RELEASE TAG
REPAIR/ALTERAITON REP _________
OPERATIONS REP ______ _________
ISOLATIONS REVIEWED
REPAIR/ALTERATION HAS BEGUN
NAME OF PERSON RETURNING
____________________
COMMENTS
NAME OF FIRST PERSON
TO WORK ON EQUIPMENT
____________________
EQUIPMENT TO OPERATIONS
HWP NEEDED FOR____________
_______________________
TEMPORARY RELEASE TAG
WORK NOT ALLOWED DURING
_____________________________
TEMPORARY RELEASE
_____________________________
Orange and White Temporary Release Tag
Return to Operations
From
N2 Purge
Source
CAUTION
NITROGEN
Asphyxiation Hazard
CAUTION
NITROGEN
Asphyxiation Hazard
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 10
Protective Measures (continued)
#4 Review Work Areas & Activities
Examples
Opening purged/blanketed process equipment
Tank vents, manways, explosion panels, tank hatches, tank cars, sampling
hatches, observation hatches, bag houses, analyzer buildings, instrument leads,
etc.
Working on/near purged equipment
Repair/alteration: Constructing asbestos containment or other temporary
enclosures, erecting scaffolding, inspecting equipment, performing maintenance,
etc.
Operations work: Applying purges or blankets to drums, operating tasks near
purged out-of-service equipment, etc.
Performing work that can consume or displace oxygen
Welding, applying certain types of paints and coatings, etc.
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 11
Protective Measures (continued)
Operations
Safe Work Permit
Operating Procedure
Repair / Alteration
Safe Work Permit
#5 Procedures and Permits
Isolate and Red Tag if possible
If not, minimize flow
Monitor for oxygen (continuous)
Ventilation
Safe working zone
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 12
#6 Special Precautions For <19.5% O
2
(When NOT doing a Confined Space
Entry)
Use a Safe Work Permit
Self-contained breathing apparatus, or air-
supplied respirators with emergency
egress air cylinders
Harness / wristlets with retrieval system &
Safety attendant
Rescue equipment at job site
Protective Measures (continued)
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 13
#6 Special Precautions For <19.5% but >
17% O
2
(When doing a Confined Space
Entry)
Requires a Safe Work Permit & a Confined
Space Entry Permit
Follow the requirements of the Global
Confined Space Entry Standard
Note: CSE is not allowed < 17% O
2
!

Protective Measures (continued)
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 14
Report Exposures
Any incident of unplanned
exposure to be reported to:
Health Service provider for
treatment
Location EH&S Delivery Contact
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 15
Purging Example #1
Review task(s)
Control with:
Safe Work Permit or
Operating Procedure
Purging precautions
Minimize if feasible
Route to inaccessible
area
Post sign
Barricade
CAUTION
NITROGEN
Asphyxiation Hazard
Feed
Line
To Make Tank
C
C
O
O
O
O
From N
2

Header
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 16
Purging Example #2
Feed
Line
C
C
O
O
O
O
From N
2

Header
ENERGY CONTROL PLAN _____
EQUIPMENT _______________
_________________________
_________________________
JOB DESCRIPTION __________
_________________________
_________________________
ISOLATION/DE-ENERGIZATION
NAME OF ISOLATION REVIEWER
____________________
COMMENTS/PRECAUTIONS
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
TEMPORARY RELEASE TAG
REPAIR/ALTERAITON REP _________
OPERATIONS REP ______ _________
ISOLATIONS REVIEWED
REPAIR/ALTERATION HAS BEGUN
NAME OF PERSON RETURNING
____________________
COMMENTS
NAME OF FIRST PERSON
TO WORK ON EQUIPMENT
____________________
EQUIPMENT TO OPERATIONS
HWP NEEDED FOR____________
_______________________
TEMPORARY RELEASE TAG
WORK NOT ALLOWED DURING
_____________________________
TEMPORARY RELEASE
_____________________________
Orange and White Temporary Release Tag
Return to Operations
CAUTION
NITROGEN
Asphyxiation Hazard
Valve To
Be Serviced
CAUTION
NITROGEN
Asphyxiation Hazard
Red Tag
Minimize flow
Warning sign
Red Tag Addendum
Safe Work Permit:
Test/monitor
Ventilation
Safe working zone
Safety attendant?
Attachment (10/96)
HAZARDOUS WORK PERMIT to TC 3.2
1. Job Scope:
Job Description:
Location: Date: Time:
Hazardous Work:
Opening line or equipment containing: Open flame Use of explosive activated tools
Toxic Welding Use of pneumatic tools
Corrosive Hot lead, hot tar Electrical switching
Flammable Cutting torch Electrical and hot work
Hot Soldering Hot tapping
Pressurized materials Excavations: Abrasive/water blasting in restricted
area area
Relocation of radioactive source Manual Working near electric power lines with
cranes,
Internal combustion engines Powered other hoisting equipment
Other hazardous work not listed above:
Signed: Dept. Address:
Phone:
(Maintenance Representative/Certified Delegate)
NOTE: The same individual shall not serve as the Maintenance Representative and the Operations Representative on
the same HWP.
2. Preparations/Precautions: Combustibles Protective clothing/equipment
Pre-job discussion Result: Initial: Specify:
Empty/drain equipment/piping IH Monitoring Harness
Cleaning method: Specify: Safety belt
Boiling Qualified Fire Watch Lifeline attached:
Flushing name: Yes No
Purging Keep area wet Potentially hazardous switching
Other Fire extinguisher Eqpt owner:
Mechanical ventilation(grounded) Fire hose: Electrical rep:
Lift Plan Charged Not charged Approved voltage rated
tools
Local exhaust ventilation Trenching and Excavation Checklist Normal switching
Barricading Explosive activated tool procedure Eqpt owner rep:
Atmospheric tests Hot Tapping Procedure Non-rutine without
procedure
Oxygen 19.5-22% Electrical Hot Work Procedure/Permit Locate nearest alarm box (#
)
Result: Initial: Respirator Locate nearest eyebath/safety
shower
Continuous monitoring for combustibles Specify: Notify Radiation Safety Officer
Others: (Specify)
SWP
Oxygen Deficient Atmospheres Hazards & Safeguards Page 17
Large, high-pressure nitrogen
cylinder and nitrogen in labs?
No caution sign on open equipment?
Frequently Asked Questions