According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, there were nine fatalities and 0.8 cases of injury and illness per 100 full-time oil and gas workers in 2022. Due to stringent safety protocols, the number of work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses has decreased in recent years. To maintain this downward trend, gas workers should be aware of these natural gas safety tips.
A Quick Background of Natural Gas
Natural gas is a fossil fuel energy source consisting mostly of methane and smaller amounts of hydrocarbon gas liquids. Natural gas usage makes up about one-third of U.S. primary energy consumption. Here’s more information about natural gas, and why it’s necessary for workers to use extra care when handling it.
Common Types of Natural Gas
After drilling and processing, companies typically store natural gas as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Compressed Natural Gas
Chemical odorants are usually added to CNG to detect potential leaks since natural gas is odorless and colorless. A rotten egg odor may signal a possible leak in a CNG high-pressure cylinder. Workers should immediately find and patch the source. Workers should also properly maintain all storage areas.
Liquefied Natural Gas
LNG is a cryogenic liquid stored in super cold temperatures around -260F. Since LNG does not contain odorant, leaks can be difficult to detect. Cold natural gas vapors are also heavier than air, causing them to pool on the ground and creating a potential fire hazard. Further, LNG-filled tanks may occasionally vent natural gas if unused for a long period. Storage tanks should be outside or in a well-ventilated area.
Occupational Health Risks of Natural Gas
Workers in the natural gas industry encounter various hazards. Understanding these risks increases workplace adoption and follow-through of natural gas safety tips.
Chemical Exposure
Natural gas may contain air pollutants, including volatile organic compounds, benzene, and hydrogen sulfide. Prolonged exposure can increase the risk of cancer, respiratory issues, and skin irritation.
Explosions and Fires
Natural gas is extremely flammable. When mixed with air and exposed to a combustion source, it can explode. A lit cigarette is enough to cause natural gas to ignite.
Confined Spaces
Natural gas can replace oxygen in tight spaces, causing asphyxiation. Tanks or pipelines can increase the risk of suffocation or toxic gas exposure when workers repair or build them.
Physical Hazards
Handling heavy equipment needed to drill, transport, and process natural gas can lead to musculoskeletal disorders, such as chronic back pain. It can also increase the chance of injury due to mechanical accidents.
Hearing Loss
Extended exposure to noisy machinery may lead to hearing loss without adequate hearing protection.
Natural Gas Safety Signage
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6 Essential Natural Gas Safety Tips for the Workplace
1. Conduct In-Depth Training on Handling Natural Gas
Comprehensive training programs equip workers with the necessary knowledge and skills for handling natural gas. Courses should include ways to identify, respond, and protect against potential hazards. Each worker must also understand the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
2. Use Certified Ventilation Systems
Because gas leaks can be difficult to detect, a proper ventilation system is necessary to prevent LNG ground pooling or gas buildup in the air. Storage tanks need adequate space and airflow to circumvent fire hazards and chemical exposure.
3. Perform Routine Equipment Maintenance Checks
Daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance and inspection of equipment, storage areas, and machinery can greatly decrease the chance of harmful accidents and mechanical malfunctions. Workers should execute a strict inspection schedule to create a safe working environment.
4. Establish Workplace Safety Protocols
Comprehensive gas safety protocols are necessary to equip workers with an organized approach to emergencies. These protocols should include preventive and response measures, including lockout procedures, confined space entry guidelines, and PPE rules. Appropriate PPE includes the following:
- Flame-resistant clothing
- Safety goggles
- Flame-resistant gloves
- Respiratory masks
5. Monitor and Enforce Safety Compliance
Employers should routinely monitor compliance with natural gas safety protocols for any weaknesses, especially in the event of an accident, injury, or machine malfunction. Remediation actions should take place immediately, and employers should update protocols when necessary. Management can carry out routine risk assessments to ensure their current protocols adequately protect against natural gas hazards.
6. Create a Culture of Safety and Communication
Promoting a culture of workplace safety goes a long way to reducing accidents and injuries. Clear signs alert workers to natural gas areas. Workers should log temperatures daily to detect anything out of range. Further, workplaces should install methane gas to detect potential leaks. Clear hazard indicators and warning signs are easy ways to carry out natural gas safety tips in the workplace.
Important Safety Signage for Natural Gas Operations
Safety signage serves as visual guides to workers to increase awareness of potential hazards, remind them of safety measures, and lead them to emergency exit routes. Essential signage includes the following:
Caution Signs
Employers must post caution signs in areas where there is a possibility of falls or other hazardous activities. Caution signage alerts workers to specific hazards.
No Smoking Signs
Due to the flammability of natural gas, no smoking signs are necessary to prevent explosions. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) requires no smoking signs in areas where there is an ignition source.
High-Voltage Warnings
Natural gas pipelines often involve the use of electrical equipment. Per OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), workers must post voltage capacity labeling near electrical equipment, transformers, and power stations.
Emergency Exit Signs
Employers must strategically place emergency exit signs to indicate clear passage to safety in the event of fires or leaks.
PPE Alerts
In areas where PPE is necessary for hazardous exposure prevention, employers should post PPE signage.
Compliance With Natural Gas Safety Tips
Although natural gas workers undergo comprehensive safety training before doing fieldwork, all workers can be victims of workplace distractions. Safety signage is a usual part of natural gas safety. ComplianceSigns.com carries essential signs for workplace safety. Contact us for signage that works for your business and employees.
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