Middle East Gases Association Oxygen Deficiency Iyad Sawalha, Air Products Dubai | 5 December 2013

Middle East Gases Association OXYGEN DEFICIENCY 2 It’s a phenomenon  INSIDIOUS (causing harm in a way that is gradual or not easily noticed)  SUDDEN  WITHOUT WARNING

Middle East Gases Association 3 3 WEEKS WITHOUT FOOD 3 DAYS WITHOUT DRINK 3 MINUTES WITHOUT BREATHING 2 BREATHS WITHOUT OXYGEN ENDANGER YOUR LIFE

Middle East Gases Association 4 IN CASE OF PROGRESSIVE OXYGEN DEFICIENCY O2 content is decreasing in blood Progressive Asphyxiation O2 content less than 18% These symptoms are similar to those of general malaise and are not recognized as asphyxiation by the victim (inert gases are odorless, colorless, tasteless) * Vertigo (whirling or spinning movement) * reduction and loss of consciousness *headache *dulling of the mind *speech difficulties*loss of muscle control IN CASE OF TOTAL OXYGEN DEFICIENCY the blood suddenly loses its oxygen WITHIN A FEW MINUTES, BRAIN DAMAGE MAY BE IRREVERSIBLE WITH 0% OXYGEN, THE SECOND BREATH WILL CAUSE LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS WITHOUT WARNING

Middle East Gases Association In all cases: THE VICTIM NEVER REALISES THE RISK »With less than 6% of oxygen : Immediate loss of consciousness 5 If the Oxygen atmosphere deficiency is only between 10 and 18%: THE VICTIM FEELS ONLY GENERAL MALAISE AND DOES NOT RELATE THIS TO THE ONSET OF ASPHYXIATION

Middle East Gases Association Hazardous Atmospheres: Oxygen Deficient %Minimum acceptable O2 level 15-19%Decreased ability to work strenuously; Impair coordination 12-14%Respiration increases; Poor judgment 10-12%Respiration increases; Lips blue. 8-10%Mental failure; Fainting; Nausea; Unconsciousness; Vomiting 6-8%8 minutes – fatal; 6 minutes - 50% fatal; 4-5 minutes - possible recovery 4-6%Coma in 40 seconds; Death

Middle East Gases Association 7 About a million employees enter confined spaces every day. In most cases, those workers complete their task without incident, but despite the many precautions in place, 70 workers per year never make it back out alive. usually NO second chances ! How can you identify a confined space ? A confined space is a space which has any of the following characteristics : »Limited opening for entry and exit »Unfavorable natural ventilation »Not designed for continuous worker occupancy

Middle East Gases Association  Be aware of the risk  Always implement a safe system of work before allowing people to enter into a confined space  Make operators aware of the risk  Implement a procedure to authorize the access  Warn people of the danger, place signs at entrances to areas where O2 deficiency may arise  Develop and apply safety measures  Develop and apply appropriate safety measures AND  Always monitor the oxygen content 8 You must :

Middle East Gases Association »Training… Established Emergency Response Procedures… Appropriate equipment and techniques »Rescue should be well planned… Frequent Drills 9 RESCUE Remember: an unplanned rescue will probably be your last KEY WORD :  When you design a gas installation  When you install and commission a gas installation  When you work on a gas installation  Before acting in an emergency  Before reacting to any accident or incident THINK !

Middle East Gases Association Preventive measures  Always check where gas release will go  VERIFY periodically the extraction system efficiency  Install, if necessary, an DETECTOR with an alarm system  VENT rooms where liquid gases are utilized or stored 10 What to do  Explain Asphyxiation dangers, create and enforce a procedure to enter: WORK PERMIT  Prepare for emergencies with appropriate equipment  TRAIN PEOPLE to verify the equipment & procedures before issuing the permit

Middle East Gases Association Before entering: Assess risks / consequences to yourself and other 11 Pipe vents to a safe Area Look for leaks Do not rely on a closed valve which may leak Always use physical isolation methods, e.g. blind flanges Any noise indicating a possible leak Abnormal fluid flow

Middle East Gases Association  If you hear a gas leak  If you see cold vapors  If you have symptoms of general malaise  If a colleague lies unconscious 12 CONCLUSION CONSIDER THE ASPHYXIATION RISK LEAVE THE DANGER AREA IMPLEMENT THE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES

Middle East Gases Association Thank you 13