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The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has updated and broadened the scope of its guidance which details strategies to avoid the release of gases in the workplace.
Guidance Note 11 ‘The Management of Risk When Using Gases In Enclosed Spaces’ has been expanded to cover all gases potentially released into the workspace.
Included in the guidance is information on assessing the risks associated with gases in the workplace and insight into their presence and identification.
Hazards, sources of gas release, and workplaces and people at risk are also featured. It concludes with essential guidance for emergency situations.
Doug Thornton, Chief Executive of BCGA, said: “GN11 provides guidance which can be used in the assessment of risk associated with gases in enclosed workplaces, helping identify where hazardous atmospheres may occur and advising on control measures which may be appropriate.
“Incidents can occur and can be serious, so it is an important piece of information to ensure workplaces are protected.
“The content is of interest to a wide-range of sectors where gases are used.
“These include manufacturing sites, education and campus facilities, automotive, food, drink and healthcare environments, as well as transport and logistics areas.
“It is also relevant to facilities managers and health and safety professionals.”
GN11 previously focused on asphyxiant atmospheres only but now references all relevant gases.
This latest version has also been amended to include the latest changes to equations and calculations and aligns with the risk assessment process detailed on the HSE website.
GN11 is one of a wide-range of respected documents available for free download from the BCGA’s website from the publications area.
Mr Thornton added: “GN11 has been produced in accordance with BCGA’s commitment to mission safety in the compressed gases industry.
“The compressed gases sector is the UK’s ‘invisible industry,’ with industrial, medical and food gases playing a critical role in many aspects of life, underpinning a safe, successful and healthy nation.
“Members of BCGA operate in a highly-regulated industry and work together on technical, safety, health and environmental issues to achieve high standards of integrity and environmental care, both within their own and customers’ working environments.
“BCGA’s mission is to ensure safety in the use, storage, transportation and handling of industrial, food and medical gases.
“Our respected publications are key to that and significant resources are deployed to bring each of our publications together.”
As well as its publications, BCGA also actively promotes safety practice through its participation in the preparation and revision of National, European and International Standards.
