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”Instant Reading” Air Sampling Detector tube air sampling is a quick way to determine the amount of a chemical in a work area. A Sensidyne Gas Detection Pump with the correct Sensidyne Detector Tube can be used to detect a number of chemicals. These tubes can be used to get a snapshot of the air contaminants in a work area. One tube is used for each potential chemical contaminant in the air. The Sensidyne colormetric detector tubes can used to determine concentrations of the known air contaminants. A color change in the detector tube is indicated. The length of the stain is used to get a concentration by comparing it to a scale which is etched on the tube. This method is quick evaluation for screening the amount of chemical in the air. It is typically used to measure worst case scenarios to determine if additional sampling is necessary. To obtain an OSHA shift long chemical exposure assessment, air monitoring with a pump would be a better solution. Here is a list a few of the chemicals that we can sample with a detector tube. Chemical Measuring Range TLV/TWA* Ammonia 5 – 260 ppm ** 25 ppm Carbon Monoxide 1 – 50 ppm 25 ppm Chlorine 0.1 – 10 ppm 0.5 ppm Hydrogen Sulfide 1 – 60 ppm 10 ppm LP Gas 50 – 1,000 ppm 1,000 ppm Methylene Chloride 10 – 1,000 ppm 50 ppm Nitrogen Dioxide 0.5 – 30 ppm 3 ppm The cost for sampling with this method for up to 10 samples per chemical is approximately $900 with an e-mailed air monitoring report. Travel outside of the Phoenix area is extra. The accuracy of detector tubes generally is considered to be +/-25% of the reading. This is based on the criteria for certification of detector tubes as originally defined by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). * Threshold Limit Value/ Time Weighted Average ** parts per million
OSHA Employee Air Monitoring Sampling After reviewing the Material Safety Data Sheets for the products used in a work area, we will assist in determining the chemicals that should be sampled. Sampling pumps drawing air past the sampling media are used to measure the specific amount of chemical in the air. The air in the employees breathing zone (6” – 9” from the mouth/nose) is drawn past the sampling media at a predetermined Liters per minute flow rate. The contaminant is left on the sampling media to be measured in the laboratory. The ‘up to all shift’ sampling gathers the chemical on the sampling media so that it can be analyzed in the laboratory. All test results from the laboratory meet the quality control requirements of AIHA and NELAC. The results of the samples will be compared within the safe levels for the chemicals in OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.1000 TABLE Z-1, Limits for Air Contaminants. It gives you the information on your company’s levels vs. the OSHA maximum permissible exposure limit. If your work area is over the exposure limit we can assist with area recommendations or respirator recommendations. Some examples of substances we monitor for: Acetone Arsenic (Inorganic) Beryllium Cadmium Lead Methyl Ethyl Ketone Silica Zinc The cost for air sampling for up to 5, eight hour samples per chemical (all in one day) is approximately $2,800 with an e-mailed air sampling report. We sample for a limited number of chemicals, so please let us know what sampling you are interested in. Travel outside of the Phoenix area is extra.
Noise Monitoring Noise monitoring can be done to determine if an area is over the OSHA limits for sound. We will sample employees and or areas for the work shift. The cost for noise monitoring for up to five, eight hour noise samples (in one day) is approximately $2,800 with an e-mailed noise monitoring report. Travel outside of Phoenix extra. The OSHA Hearing Conservation Program 29 CFR, 1910.95(c)(1) The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section, whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computed in accordance with Appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment. Some examples of what loud areas dBA levels sound like:
Respirator Two Hour Training, with Qualitative Fit Test If an area is determined to require a full or half face respirator, this course plus the fit test are required. Employees with beards or facial hair that interferes with the respirators seal to the face can not be tested. Employees will need to be medically qualified before the fit test. The Qualitative Fit test we use is the ‘irritant smoke’ test to check for leaks and fit. By using the Qualitative Fit test with a full face respirator – the air contaminants PEL (permissible exposure level) is raised by a protection factor of 10. Example, if you are using Sulfuric Acid the OSHA PEL TWA is 1 mg/m3. Ten times 1 mg/m3 is 10 mg/m3. With the full face respirator and correct cartridges, it would be within the PEL to work with the Sulfuric Acid at a ‘worst case’ sampling level of less than 10 mg/m3. The other factor to consider when using cartridge respirators is the IDLH level. (Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health). The IDLH level for Sulfuric Acid is 15 mg/m3. It is critical not to wear a cartridge respirator an area that could reach an IDLH condition. Respirator training includes:
Pricing: $ 1,200, up to 12 attendees. Travel outside of the Phoenix area is extra.
Contact Information Please contact Ken Mushet at SHE Solutions to schedule noise monitoring, air sampling, or respirator fit testing/ training. Thank you for considering SHE Solutions. SHE
Solutions, LLC SHE Solutions, LLC © 2003 - 2008 |
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