Hazardous Atmospheres

A "Hazardous Atmosphere" as it relates to a confined space, is any atmosphere within the space that may expose employees to the risk of death, incapacitation, injury, acute illness or impairment of the ability to escape unaided from the space. The confined space entry permit will specify the atmospheric testing and monitoring required to detect atmospheric hazards as well as the methods that must be used to control those hazards. Topics include what a hazardous atmosphere is and common causes of hazardous atmospheres.