Working environment factors
How does Oxygen affect the health of workers?
Sep
This article will help you understand how Oxygen (O2) affects the health of workers in manufacturing plants that use chemicals. From potential risks to safety measures, you will grasp the necessary knowledge to protect yourself and your colleagues in the work environment.
1. What is Oxygen?
Oxygen, with the chemical formula O2, is a chemical element belonging to the gas group in the periodic table. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas and plays a crucial role in the respiration of living organisms. O2 is the most common molecular form of oxygen in nature, consisting of two oxygen atoms bonded together by a covalent bond.
Oxygen makes up about 21% of the Earth’s atmosphere, sustaining life and being an essential element for combustion in many industrial production activities. Not only does it play a vital role in the human respiratory system, but oxygen also participates in many different chemical reactions, including the oxidation of organic and inorganic substances, which helps produce energy. In manufacturing plants that use chemicals, controlling the concentration of O2 is extremely necessary to ensure occupational safety and prevent fire and explosion hazards.
| No. | Chemical Name in Vietnamese | Chemical Name in English | HS Code | CAS Number | Chemical Formula |
| 1. | Oxy | Oxygen | 28044000 | 7782-44-7 | O2 |
See more services: Chemical safety training according to Decree 113/2017/NĐ-CP
REGISTER FOR CHEMICAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY TRAINING ACCORDING TO DECREE 113
2. Where does Oxygen originate from in the production process?
During the production process, oxygen (O2) can originate from various sources, especially in plants that use chemicals or technologies related to oxidation and combustion processes. One of the main sources of oxygen is the natural surrounding air. The air contains about 21% oxygen, and when there is interaction between machinery systems, production processes, or the use of combustion equipment, oxygen will participate in these reactions.
In addition, oxygen can also be generated from the decomposition of chemicals or chemical reactions. In some industries, such as the production of metals, plastics, or chemicals, the use of oxygen-containing compounds or the decomposition of these compounds will release O2 gas into the work environment. Specialized machinery or equipment, such as plasma cutters or oxy-acetylene welding machines, which use oxygen to create high temperatures, are also on-site sources of oxygen during production.
Another source is the industrial production of oxygen by separating it from the air through liquefaction and fractional distillation. The pure oxygen produced in this way is then introduced into production systems for various purposes, such as enhancing the efficiency of chemical reactions or supporting combustion processes.
However, although oxygen is an essential element in production, controlling its sources is very important to avoid occupational safety risks. Oxygen can increase the risk of fire and explosion if not properly controlled, especially in work environments with many flammable substances. Therefore, protective measures and safety procedures are needed to ensure that the oxygen concentration always remains at a safe level for workers.
3. Industries that use Oxygen in production
Oxygen (O2) plays a crucial role in many manufacturing industries due to its strong reactive properties, especially in processes involving oxidation and combustion. One of the industries that uses oxygen the most is the metallurgical industry. In steel production, oxygen is used to blow into the blast furnace, helping to remove impurities such as carbon from iron ore, improving the quality of the metal, and increasing production efficiency.
The welding and metal cutting industry also heavily depends on oxygen. The oxy-acetylene welding process uses oxygen to create a flame with a very high temperature, sufficient to melt metal, while plasma cutting uses oxygen to clean and cut thick metal plates quickly and accurately.
In the chemical industry, oxygen is an important element in chemical synthesis reactions, such as in the production of sulfuric acid, ethanol, and many other compounds. Chemical plants use oxygen to enhance the efficiency of oxidation reactions, thereby producing important products for many different fields.
In addition, in the energy industry, oxygen is used to support the combustion process in power plants. Gas turbine systems and boilers use oxygen to enhance the combustion efficiency of fuel, helping to generate electricity more effectively.
Finally, the healthcare industry is also a significant field that uses oxygen. Medical oxygen is used to support the respiration of patients in hospitals or emergency rooms. Industrial gas production plants supply medical oxygen in compressed or liquid form, ensuring a clean and safe oxygen supply for medical applications.
Overall, oxygen is an indispensable element in many industries, from metal and chemical production, and energy to healthcare. The presence of oxygen in these production processes not only helps improve efficiency but also contributes to enhancing product quality.
4. How does Oxygen affect workers?
Oxygen (O2) is an essential element for life, but it can also have significant effects on the health of workers, especially in an industrial environment. When the concentration of oxygen in the air changes, whether it increases or decreases, it can cause serious health problems for humans.
When the oxygen concentration in the air is too low, a condition called hypoxia can occur. Hypoxia reduces respiratory capacity, preventing the body from supplying enough oxygen to the cells, leading to symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, headaches, and shortness of breath. If this condition persists, workers may lose consciousness, suffer brain damage, or even die. Environments with a high risk of oxygen deficiency include confined spaces or places where oxygen-consuming chemical reactions occur.
Conversely, if the oxygen concentration in the air exceeds normal levels, excess oxygen (hyperoxia) can also be harmful. Under certain conditions, an excessively high oxygen concentration can cause damage to the lungs and other organs. Long-term exposure to oxygen at high pressure can damage lung tissue, cause pneumonia, or lead to nervous system problems. Particularly, in industries that use compressed gas or pure oxygen, such as healthcare or metal welding and cutting, workers need to be protected to avoid exposure to excessive amounts of oxygen.
In addition, oxygen also increases the risk of fire and explosion. In work environments with many flammable substances such as oil, grease, chemicals, or fuel gases, the presence of oxygen can increase the risk of fire and explosion, posing a danger to workers. This requires strict safety measures, including controlling the oxygen concentration and using personal protective equipment.
5. Permissible safe concentration of Oxygen for human exposure
The safe concentration of oxygen (O2) in the air that humans can be exposed to is determined based on the percentage of oxygen in the environment. Typically, the Earth’s atmosphere contains about 21% oxygen, which is considered the ideal concentration for human life and activity. At this level, the body can function normally and supply enough oxygen to the cells without causing any health hazards.
However, if the oxygen concentration drops below 19.5%, people begin to experience health problems due to oxygen deficiency, also known as hypoxia. When the concentration drops to about 16%, workers may experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If the concentration continues to fall below 10%, the situation becomes more serious with manifestations such as loss of consciousness and can lead to death if not intervened in time.
Conversely, when the oxygen concentration exceeds 23.5%, the work environment becomes more flammable and explosive. Oxygen is a combustion supporter, so when the concentration increases, the flammability of combustible materials also increases. This is particularly dangerous in production environments that use or store flammable substances such as chemicals, oil, grease, or fuel gases. At excessively high oxygen levels, the use of electrical equipment or small heat sources can also cause fires and explosions.
To ensure safety, occupational safety agencies have established regulations on oxygen concentration in the work environment. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the United States, the permissible safe oxygen concentration is from 19.5% to 23.5%. This is the optimal oxygen level to ensure the health and safety of workers, while also minimizing the risk of fire and explosion in the work environment.
On a basic level, if working in an industrial environment, adhering to safety standards and limiting exposure to Oxygen is important. Organizations like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States provide guidelines and safety principles to protect workers from the negative impacts of chemical substances.
6. Measures to minimize the health effects of Oxygen on workers
To minimize the health effects of oxygen (O2) on workers, comprehensive control and protection measures must be applied in the work environment. One of the most important factors is controlling the oxygen concentration in the air. Oxygen concentration measurement systems must be installed and regularly checked to ensure the work environment is always maintained at a safe concentration level. If the oxygen concentration falls below the safe level (19.5%) or rises too high (above 23.5%), the warning system should be activated so that workers can respond in time.
In addition, good ventilation and ensuring the air conditioning system operates effectively in confined spaces, or places with a risk of oxygen deficiency, is very important. Supplying fresh air from outside helps maintain a stable oxygen concentration, avoiding the accumulation of toxic gases or oxygen deficiency in the workspace. In high-risk environments, such as mines or chemical production plants, there should be backup oxygen supply systems to deal with emergencies.
Workers also need to be fully equipped with personal protective equipment such as respirators, portable oxygen tanks, or breathing apparatus when working in environments with a risk of oxygen deficiency or exposure to flammable substances. Training on skills to handle situations when oxygen levels fluctuate is essential so that workers know how to protect themselves and their colleagues in dangerous situations.
In addition, regular inspection and maintenance of equipment that uses oxygen, such as welding and cutting systems, combustion machinery, or compressed gas equipment, is also an effective measure to minimize risks caused by oxygen. These systems need to be regularly maintained to ensure there are no leaks or fire and explosion hazards from oxygen.
Finally, businesses also need to establish safety procedures and emergency response plans for incidents related to oxygen. Compliance with occupational safety standards and regulations on oxygen concentration is mandatory to protect the health and safety of workers. By combining technical measures, protective equipment, and skills training, businesses can minimize the health effects of oxygen and ensure a safe working environment for employees.
Occupational safety training: Workers need to be trained and educated on the risks and safety measures when working with this type of chemical. This training should be provided periodically and regularly to ensure understanding and proper compliance with safety rules.
Periodically organize workplace environment monitoring in factories and enterprises, collecting and analyzing factors harmful to workers, thereby adjusting to reduce the hazard level to prevent occupational diseases for them.
7. National Workplace Environment Monitoring Center
The Workplace Environment Monitoring Center of Nam Viet is a professional unit specializing in monitoring and measuring the quality of the working environment across all provinces in Vietnam. With a team of experienced monitoring specialists, the center uses modern measuring equipment, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
REGISTER FOR WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT MONITORING SERVICES
In addition to providing monitoring services, the center also supports clients in planning, handling, and tracking issues related to the working environment. With the motto “the customer is the center,” the center focuses on customer satisfaction, meeting all customer needs, and is committed to providing the best solutions for businesses.
With investment in techniques, technology, and human resources, the Nam Viet monitoring center has become one of the reputable units in the field of workplace environment monitoring in Ho Chi Minh City with the following objectives:
- We always value our brand reputation and the quality of our products and services.
- We provide customers with the best and most suitable solutions possible.
- With a team of experienced Masters and Engineers with a desire to protect the environment and benefit businesses.
- With the Nam Viet Environmental Monitoring team, your company will receive professional service from experts in the monitoring field. At the same time, you will get the best cost incentives.
8. Quotation for workplace environment monitoring
To help businesses conduct workplace environment monitoring professionally and effectively, Nam Viet offers our customers a quotation for quality and reasonably priced workplace environment monitoring services.
- Our monitoring quotation provides detailed information on the prices of the monitoring services we offer. This includes costs related to travel, measurement, analysis, and reporting of results. Customers can be completely assured of the accuracy and reliability of the monitoring result reports we provide.
- We are committed to always offering the most competitive and reasonable prices on the market, and we are also always ready to provide consultation and answer any questions about monitoring services quickly and professionally.
- With Nam Viet’s monitoring quotation, customers can easily choose service packages that suit their needs. We are committed to bringing our customers the highest satisfaction with professional service quality.
