Employers use gas detectors in their workplaces to warn employees of any toxic gas leaks in the environment. The effectiveness and accuracy of the gas detection readings depend on whether the gas detector has been correctly calibrated. If it has not, it could have deadly consequences for those in the workplace.
About Calibration Drift
Gas detectors experience calibration drift over time, a gradual change in the calibration that makes its measurements inaccurate. Calibration drift occurs for various reasons, such as environmental conditions, improper handling, natural wear & tear, and usage level. That is why you must frequently recalibrate your gas detectors to make their measurements accurate again.
The OSHA Guidelines
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at the U.S. Department of Labor sets workplace safety regulations to protect workers. However, it has no strict requirements or mandates regarding gas detector calibration. All it has are recommended guidelines for testing and calibrating portable gas monitors
Here are some OSHA guidelines and recommendations:
Frequent Bump Testing
Bump testing is how you verify whether the sensors and alarms of a gas detector are functioning normally. You conduct this test by briefly exposing the detector to a small amount of toxic gas to see if the alarm goes off. If it doesn’t go off, you should perform a full calibration because it fails to detect the gas.
The general rule of thumb is to conduct bump testing before each time you use a gas detector in the workplace. That will ensure it is fully functional and suitable to keep your workers safe.
Manufacturer’s Recommendations
The most critical guideline is calibrating gas detection devices according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The owner’s manual for the gas detector will give you information about the proper calibration procedures and the frequency for conducting the calibrations.
Certified Traceable Test Gas
Use a certified traceable test gas to help calibrate your gas detector. It is usually a reactive gas concentration of chlorine and hydrogen sulfide. The test gas must be unexpired and recommended by the manufacturer. Do not use the test gas if the expiration date has passed.
Train Workers on How to Calibrate
Once you learn how to test and calibrate the gas detector, you must train your workers on how to do this. Since these are portable gas detectors used in the field, you won’t always be around to guide your workers in calibrating them. So, you must ensure they know how to calibrate the gas detectors for their safety and that of everyone around them.
