7/31/2019 Nitrogen Handout

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AsphyxiaEffect of O2

Concentration/DepletionOxygen

(%vol)Effects & Symptoms

23.5Maximum Safe Level OSHA

20.9 O2 level in air

19.5 Minimum permissible O2 level15-19 First signs of hypoxia.

Decreased ability to work

strenuously. May induce early

symptoms in persons with

coronary, pulmonary or

circulatory problems.

12-14 Respiration increases with

exertion, pulse up, impaired

muscular coordination,

perception & judgment.

10-12 Respiration further increases inrate & depth, poor judgment,

lips blue.

8-10 Mental failure, fainting,

unconsciousness, ashen face,

blueness of lips, nausea,

vomiting, inability to move

freely.

6-8 8 minutes100% fatal

6 minutes 50% probably

fatality rate

4-6 Coma in 40 seconds,convulsions, respiration ceases,

death

WARNING!

Nitrogen gas is being used in for inertization

purposes. It means that after nitrogenpurging oxygen concentration inside the

equipmentwill be very low, as well as areaaround the confined space opening. Thissituation is very dangerous for health &

safety of the occupants as Nitrogenreplaces oxygen.

Oxygen is essential for life.

Oxygen is the only gas that supports life. The normal

concentration of oxygen in the air we breathe is

approximately 21 %. Concentration, thinking and decision-

making are impaired when the oxygen concentration falls

even slightly below this. These effects are not noticeable to

the affected individual. 21% ,

- . If theoxygen concentration in air decreases or, if the

concentration of any other gases increase, a situation is

rapidly reached where the risks of asphyxiation are

significant. For this reason any depletion of oxygen below

21 % must be treated with concern: 21%

, WARNING: The situation is hazardous as soon as the oxygen

concentration inhaled is less than18 %. %

With no oxygen present, inhalation of only 1-2 breaths ofnitrogen or other inert gas (Argon) will cause sudden loss of

consciousness and can cause death.

"While nitrogen makes up the majority of the air we

breathe and is not toxic, people shouldn't assume it's

benign," "Nitrogen does not support life, and when nitrogen

displaces the oxygen we breathe, it can prove very deadly.Since nitrogen is odorless and colorless, our senses provide

no protection against nitrogen-enriched atmospheres."

78.084%

,

.

,

, Compliled by Safety Deptt. PDL

psrawat@parabolicdrugs.com

7/31/2019 Nitrogen Handout

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NITROGEN makes up 78 percent of the air we breathe. It is a colorless, odorless gas that is safe onlywhen mixed with an appropriate amount of oxygen. These two gases cannot be detected by the sense of

smell. A nitrogen-enriched environment, which depletes oxygen, can be detected only with special

instruments. Oxygen deficiency has a range of effects and can be fatal if concentrations fall below 10

percent.

Facts About

Nitrogen Asphyxiation Eighty-five nitrogen asphyxiation

incidents from 1992 to 2002resulted in 80 deaths and 50injuries.

The majority of incidents occurredin manufacturing and industrialfacilities, but other settingsincluded laboratories and medicalfacilities.

Most incidents occurred in andaround confined spaces, thoughseveral incidents occurred inopen areas, including insidebuildings and outside in thevicinity of equipment.

Almost half of the incidentsinvolved contractors, includingconstruction workers.

Among the causes of death andinjury were failures to detect anoxygen-deficient atmosphere inand around confined spaces,using nitrogen instead ofbreathing air, and inadequatelypreparing for rescue.

Good PracticesPrevent Nitrogen Asphyxiation

Implement warning systems andcontinuously monitor enclosuresand areas where additional amountsof nitrogen can be expected to enter,recognizing that the atmosphere maychange over time.

Ventilate with fresh air before andduring work in areas that couldcontain elevated levels of nitrogen.

Implement a system for confinedspace entry and safe rescue ofworkers, including having personnel

wear a harness and lifeline attachedto a mechanical retrieval system,having standby personnel available atall times to communicate withpersonnel inside confined spaces,and ensuring that rescuers areproperly trained and equipped.

Ensure the uninterrupted flow andintegrity of breathing air by verifyingthe oxygen concentration of supply air,routinely inspecting air supply equipmentsuch as hoses and compressors, andcontinually monitoring the air supplysystem for contaminants.

Prevent the inadvertent mix-up ofnitrogen and breathing air by ensuringthat incompatible fittings and clear labelsare in place on cylinders, pipingsystems, and supply lines.

Develop and implement acomprehensive training program thatcovers proper use of ventilationsystems, safe practices for confinedspace entry and rescue, uniqueconnections and fittings on cylinderscontaining different gases, and properuse of air supply equipment.

No emotional rushing to help exposed person without proper safety.

psrawat@parabolicdrugs.com