PRACTICAL SAFETY MATTERS UNDER OPERATION WITH THE EQUIPMENT FOR PRODUCTION, TRANSPORTATION AND CONSUMPTION OF AIR SEPARATION PRODUCTS. NITROGEN AND ARGON

Abstract

The safety matter under production, transportation and consumption of nitrogen and argon are considered. These gases cannot sustain life. They can displace oxygen from the atmosphere in limited or enclosed volumes, and also can be present in the process equipment, which requires to carry out certain works. Special hazard of nitrogen and argon is that they have neither odor, nor color, no taste. Becaurse of this in the zone with the deadly low concentration of oxygen a person does not have time to feel anything until the moment he loses consciousness. The examples of accidents are given with a fatal outcome as a result of asphyxia due to the people location in the scarce oxygen atmosphere due to high concentration of nitrogen or argon. In such accidents the people, hurrying up to administer the first medical aid for the victims, often die. The main cause of the accidents is absence or disregard of the rules of safe handling of works.