Personal Protective Equipment; Handling Of Insulating Gases And Gas Mixtures - WIKA GPD-1000 Mode D'emploi

3. Safety

3.6 Personal protective equipment

The personal protective equipment is designed to protect the skilled personnel from
hazards that could impair their safety or health during work. When carrying out the
various tasks on and with the instrument, the skilled personnel must wear personal
protective equipment.
Follow the instructions displayed in the work area regarding personal protective
equipment!
The requisite personal protective equipment must be provided by the operating
company.
Safety goggles in accordance with EN 166, class 2, mechanical
strength class S
The safety goggles must be worn over the entire period when working on
hoses or gas containers (e.g. gas cylinders, tanks). The safety goggles
protect the eyes from any flying particles, escaping gas and liquid
splashes.
Protective gloves against heat in accordance with EN ISO 13732-1
and against cold in accordance with EN ISO 13732-3
The protective gloves must be worn over the entire period when working
on hoses, gas containers (e.g. gas cylinders, tanks) or components which
heat up to over 60 °C.

3.7 Handling of insulating gases and gas mixtures

SF₆ gas is a greenhouse gas which is listed in the Kyoto Protocol. SF₆ gas must not be
released into the atmosphere, but must be collected in suitable containers.
Properties of insulating gases
Colourless and odourless
■
Chemically neutral
■
Inert
■
Not flammable
■
Heavier than air
■
No toxicity
■
No damage to the ozone layer
■
Detailed information is given in IEC 60376 and IEC 62271-4:2013.
Danger of suffocation caused by insulating gases and gas mixtures
High concentrations of gases can lead to asphyxiation, since breathable air is displaced
from the lungs with the inhalation of gas.
Since SF₆ gas is heavier than air, it collects, especially, at ground level or lower-lying
rooms below the reference level (e.g. cellars). This is particularly dangerous since SF₆
gas is colourless and odourless and thus may be imperceptible to people.
WIKA operating instructions gas presence detector, model GPD-1000
EN
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