When I hear the following question, I know I have a potentially stinky situation on my hands. “Jason, I have a BW gas monitor but an MSA bottle. Can I use it for calibration?” The answer is, “Yes and no.” Or, more accurately, “Yes but it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth.” Using Brand X’s […]

With today’s technology, most gas detectors do a really good job. But there is one particular gas monitor that is downright frightening. Even with brand new sensors and a full battery, it is wholly unreliable. Trusting it with your life could be your last decision. Ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you… “The Gas […]

So you’re doing your work and you notice something’s not right. The numbers displayed on your monitor are floating up and down. Maybe you’re getting a false alarm. While this is usually the first sign that your sensor is about to kick the bucket, there is a trick you can do to breathe life into […]

How many times have I had this frightening conversation? Customer: “Where can I send our gas detectors for calibration?” Me: “You can do it yourself with the gas bottle.” Customer: “Bottle? What bottle?” Me: “The one you use to bump test the monitor.” Customer: “What’s a ‘bump test’?” Me (recoiling like seeing a guy get […]

Confined Space Entry training is required by law. So why do these courses almost never cover the actual use of the gas monitor, the one piece of equipment that keeps the workers safe? CSE courses are absolutely necessary to provide the definitions and understanding of the dangers involved, and no one should ever go into […]

There is a big hole in Confined Space Entry training (pun intended). While required by law, it almost never covers the operation of the Gas Monitor – the very tool that keeps the worker safe! Here’s an analogy: Confined Space Entry training is like Classroom Driver’s Education. Gas Monitor Operation Training is Behind-the-Wheel Instruction. Would […]