Identifying Toxic Atmospheres
Toxic atmospheres are generally the most difficult to identify and can only be determined through testing, which should only be conducted by a qualified person (i.e., marine chemist, competent person, etc.).
Employee entering a confined space.
The potential for a toxic atmosphere is always present and can come from several sources including:
- A space that is painted and sealed up before the paint has time to cure, causing the off-gassing of the fresh paint to release toxic levels of paint and solvent vapors into the secured space.
- A tank cover is inadvertently left open that allows nearby engine exhaust to raise the amount of carbon monoxide in the tank to dangerous levels.
- Contents from a chemical spill (deck above) enters the space.
- Multiple waste or slop is dumped into a space that creates a toxic compound.
Based on the hazards discussed above, entry into any confined/enclosed space or any space with limited ventilation space on a deck barge should be done with caution.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
5-3. Which of the following are generally the most difficult types of hazardous atmospheres to identify within a barges confined space?
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