When you contemplate working in confined spaces, know that without proper planning and attention to detail, the risks tend to be high. With less airflow and reduced routes of egress, you or one of your employees could easily be exposed to hazardous conditions.
As defined by OSHA, confined spaces are not designed for continuous occupancy, but they’re large enough for workers to enter and perform certain tasks. They also have limited means for entry, which means workers may have trouble getting in and out of the space in the event of an emergency.
That’s why it’s best to use a confined space gas detector kit to confirm safe working conditions prior to entering these spaces. Examples include manholes, silos, crawlspaces, boilers, storage tanks, and sump pits. With a confined space kit, you and your team can easily monitor these spaces for hazardous gases and low oxygen conditions. If hazardous gases are present in the space or the atmosphere is changing quickly, you should consider wearing respirators and face masks while inside.
To keep your team safe, learn about some of the most trusted confined space kits in the industry, so you can find the right safety equipment for the job.
What Is a Confined Space Kit?
Before we start comparing the pros and cons of some of the leading kits in the industry, let’s talk about why these kits are so important in the first place. Now that you’re familiar with the types of hazards you and your team may encounter in confined spaces, you can start taking precautions to make sure these kinds of incidents remain hypothetical.
Confined space entry kits usually come with everything you need to monitor your confined workspace, including a multi-gas detector, calibration accessories, sampling hose, filters, carrying case, and related fleet manager software. When choosing a confined space kit, you need to make sure the monitor will detect the kinds of gases and hazardous substances that may be present in your work area. Most multi-gas monitors will detect hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O2) and the LEL of a variety of dangerously combustible/flammable gases. You will hear or see an alarm if one of these gases are present in your workspace.
You also need to make sure the kit comes with everything you need to deploy your monitor in the field, including calibration equipment for quickly calibrating your monitor before each shift, replacement filters for more quality assurance, and a hard case for added portability. You should be able to set up your equipment quickly in the field, so you and your team can get to work as soon as possible. Some kits also come with fleet manager software, so you can automatically share your readings with your manager or business partners. Once you’ve installed the software on a local computer, the monitor will automatically log every report in the system.
Choosing a Confined Space Kit
You have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to finding a confined space kit for you and your team. Here are some of our most popular kits:
BW GasAlert Max XT II Complete Confined Space Kit
This kit is a great choice when working in a variety of confined spaces. It’s extremely easy to use and deploy in the field, so you and your team don’t have to wait around before getting to work. It comes with the Gas Alert Max XT II 4-gas detector, which is perfect for detecting hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), oxygen (O2), and the LEL of a variety of dangerously combustible/flammable gases. When such hazards are present, the monitor will either vibrate, flash bright LED lights, or send out an audible alarm to make sure you and your team get the message.
RKI Instruments GX-2012 Confined Space Kit
RKI is known as one of the best confined space safety equipment manufacturers in the business and this kit is no exception. It comes with the GX-2012 Multi-Gas Detector, which is known for its robust sensors and lightweight design. It’s perfect for advanced users and teams that deal with all kinds of unexpected hazards and environments on the job. You can easily draw samples from up to 50 feet away, so you can monitor confined spaces from a distance without stepping inside. It also comes with a demand flow regulator, so you can draw just the right amount of air when testing your workplace. The included padded case will help you keep your equipment safe on the road.
RKI GX-3R 4 Gas Confined Space Kit
This kit is another great choice for the advanced user. The included GX-3R gas monitor is one of the smallest and lightest in the industry, so you don’t have to haul around a bunch of heavy equipment when you’re on the go. It will detect all four major gases with the utmost accuracy. With a variety of alert options, you can choose the best way to monitor your workspace. It also comes with everything you need to quickly calibrate and recharge your device on the go.
Before you commit to a confined space kit, consider the types of hazards and work environments you and your team will likely encounter on the job. Are you working in the same environments every day or are you and your team constantly on the go? Will you take samples inside the confined space or before you step inside? The more you understand your work environment, the safer you and your team will be.
Contact the professionals at PK Safety for more information about our confined space safety equipment or for help finding a confined space entry kit that meets your needs.