Keeping tank cleaning personnel apprised of the dangers of nitrogen is an essential part of confined entry training and procedures, said Bill Miller of M T Clean LLC.
"The dangers associated with nitrogen make it the biggest safety problem in our industry," he said at the National Tank Truck Carriers Tank Cleaning and Environmental council Seminar March 31-April 1 in San Antonio, Texas.
Miller discussed confined space entry and lockout-tagout procedures. "Do not allow anyone to enter a tank without completing training," he warned.
Workers should know their responsibilities whether they will be the one entering the tank, the attendant, or the supervisor. Training should include potential effects of oxygen-deficient atmospheres, the physical reactions at various oxygen percentages, and the time it takes to recover. The use of retrieval equipment and lanyards also is an essential element for the training program. A practice session for confined space rescue should be conducted every six months.
The council meeting is covered in depth in the June issue of Bulk Transporter.