World Day for Health and Safety at Work 2023

At Enqip, we understand that safety should always be the top priority in any workplace. It’s easy to think that the equipment you are working with is benign, but the truth is that some tools and materials can pose serious safety risks if not handled properly. That’s why today on World Day for Health and Safety at Work Day, we’re sharing our top tips for using and transporting our equipment safely.

Transporting CO2, Air and N2 gas bottles:

1. Gas cylinders are under significant pressure and can become dangerous if they are mishandled. To prevent accidents, it’s important to transport them upright and secure them with tie-down straps to ensure that the bottle does not move during transit. It’s also crucial to avoid transporting gas bottles in the same air space as the driver and passengers. This can be achieved by placing them in a separate, ventilated area of the vehicle. Remember to always remove regulators from bottles before transporting them back to us.

Turn the gas bottle valve to the off position and purge the regulator before removing it:

1. Before removing a regulator from a gas cylinder, it’s essential to turn the valve to the off position and release remaining pressure using the control on the regulator. This will reduce the risk of gas leaks and prevent the regulator from popping off.

Turn off and release pressure from 12 Volt compressors before transporting:

1. Similar to gas cylinders, 12 Volt compressors can also pose a safety risk if not handled properly. Before transporting them, make sure to turn them off, remove them from their battery power source and release pressure using the valve. This will reduce the risk of an explosive release of air from the tank that could cause accidents.

Use LELs to protect yourself from flash fire or explosion risk in confined spaces or areas that could be prone to gas leaks:

1. LELs (Lower Explosive Limit) are a type of multigas detector that can protect you from flash fires or explosions in confined spaces or areas that could be prone to gas leaks. These devices detect the concentration of combustible gases in the air and alert you if the levels exceed safe limits.

Set alarms correctly on gas detection equipment:

1. We use default alarm levels for our gas detection sensors, but we can alter them on request. To protect your own health, always pay attention if STEL (Short Term Exposure Limits) and TWA (Time Weighted Average) alarms are triggered. If you require gas correction factors to be set, or gas-specific sensors such as HCN (Hydrogen Cyanide) or Benzene, we can provide them for the equipment we offer.

Pack gear into the crates and cases supplied while transporting:

1. To reduce the risk of equipment becoming a hazard if you should be involved in a traffic accident, we advise packing gear into the crates and cases provided while transporting. This will protect both you and the equipment from damage and minimize the risk of injury.

Be aware of weather conditions in the field:

1. For your own safety and that of equipment, be mindful of the prevailing weather conditions.  High winds and rain pose extra safety risks, and no equipment is truly waterproof.  Operate equipment out of direct sun to avoid overheating, and shelter equipment if working in the rain to protect against shorting and other dangerous or expensive electrical failures.

Safety should always be a top priority in any workplace. With the right equipment and knowledge, you can reduce the risk of accidents and protect yourself and your team. At Enqip, we are committed to providing high-quality equipment and advice to help you stay safe on the job. If you have any questions or concerns about using or transporting our equipment, don’t hesitate to contact us.