During the course of the last 200+ years, the task of monitoring a worker’s environment for explosive and toxic gases, as well as for oxygen enrichment or deficiency, has seen a significant evolution. The need to identify which potential hazards existed in the work environment began in the mining industry. Gas detection began with detecting explosive gases such as methane and poisonous gases such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. Methods of gas detection during the last 200+ years have included torching methane gas, use of a canary, Japanese waltzing mouse, a flame safety lamp, and a portable gas detector.
The first method of gas detection began in the 1700s with fire bosses entering coal mines using a torch to burn off existing methane gas to make the work environment safe for their workers. Fire bosses were placed in grave danger performing this duty, but it did clear the air. By today’s standards in 2009, this was not the safest method of gas detection.
Another method used during the 1700s was the use of canaries. Mining companies purchased canaries for use as crude gas detection devices. The birds became known as “miner’s canary” for this reason. Miners took a canary down into mineshafts with them and monitored the bird’s behavior. If the canary acted abnormally or died the miners knew there was an atmospheric problem and to evacuate. This method of gas detection worked for several years, because the respiration rate of a canary is much faster than that of a human. To simplify this, canaries are affected by a toxic environment faster than humans are.
Gas detection methods evolved again during this era with the use of a Japanese Waltzing Mouse. This breed of mouse was constantly active waltzing around in its cage. The mouse became another crude gas detector by miners taking it down into mineshafts in a cage with metal walls to amplify the sounds of its waltzing. When the miners did not hear sounds coming the mouse’s waltzing, it was an indicator of atmospheric hazards. At this point, miners knew to evacuate.
In 1815, another method of gas detection evolved with the use of flame safety lamps. The device had a small flame in a lamp that would detect the presence of low oxygen and flammable gases. If flammable gases were present, the flame burned higher with a blue tinge. The flame safety lamp also had the capability to detect gases such as carbon dioxide by placing it close to the ground to collect depressions in the mine. If the oxygen level in the mine was poor, the flame extinguished itself. Both flame reactions indicated the need to evacuate.
Beginning in the mid 1970s, gas detection takes a new direction with the advancement of technology. The first portable gas detectors were large, heavy, cumbersome devices worn on a shoulder strap. As technology advanced, the devices became much more compact, with features including data logging, extended battery life, vibrating alarms, brighter visual alarms, and louder audible alarms. Previous gas detector sensors were the size of a spool of thread whereas now the sensors are button size with a longer battery life. Another significant improvement in later portable gas detectors is the drop test benchmark has increased from three feet to as much as ten feet.
Complements of technological advancements animals are no longer used as gas detectors and fewer humans are losing their lives to environmental hazards in the work place. The mining industry has given all of us who work in hazardous work environments a lot of knowledge about gas detectors. Thank a miner today for their industry paving the way for safer work environments.
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