Gas measurement

In the petrochemical industry, the presence of hazardous substances is measured daily, whether in confined spaces or not. Properly performing a measurement requires more than basic knowledge. Performing a measurement is easy to learn, but interpreting the results all the more difficult.

From the Occupational Health and Safety Act Article 3.5g. Danger of suffocation, intoxication, poisoning, fire or explosion

If it may be suspected that the atmosphere in a place or in a room contains substances to such an extent that there is a danger of suffocation, intoxication, poisoning, fire or explosion as a result, the employee may be in that place or in that room only if an examination shows that the danger does not exist.

Following the Gas Measuring course, it is expected that the student has sufficient mastery of the theoretical knowledge of gas measurement and the operation of mobile gas measurement equipment and is able to understand what the measurement results mean so that they are interpreted correctly.

Gas measurement (SOG)

Purpose group

The Gas Measuring course is designed for employees who must perform gas measurements and gas detection and interpret measurement data. Measurements include explosive and toxic substances and oxygen.

Employees in the industry with a specific professional training such as a VAPRO training (A, B or C level) or laboratory technician training who carry out gas measurements and interpret measurement data in the workplace at a (petro)chemical company site.

Learning objective

The employee learns in the gas measurement course to perform and interpret gas measurements in a safe and competent manner.

Theory

• Basic concepts of: toxic substance, poisoning, gases and vapors, effects of toxic substances on the body, definitions Limit Value and TGG, diffusion-dependent factors for gases and vapors, relationship between Vol. % and ppm and mg/m³, toxic substance measurement.
• Basic concepts of fire and explosion, definition of explosion area, explosion limits and the percentages of these limits, explosivity measurement.
• Basic concepts such as suffocation due to oxygen deficiency, effects of too high or too low oxygen percentage, oxygen measurement.

Practice

• Make gas measurements independently.
• Measure with a catalytic explosimeter.
• Measuring with an oxygen meter.
• Measure with a Photo Ionization Detection meter (PID meter).
• Measuring with chemical gas measuring tubes.

In-company

This course is also provided in-company.

Language

The exam is only available in Dutch.

Entrance requirements

The candidate must be at least 18 years old. An exception is made for students taking the course as part of obtaining a starting qualification. This is subject to a minimum age of 16.

Furthermore, the candidate must possess one of the following diplomas:

• B-VCA
• VOL-VCA
• VIL-VCU
• An equivalent “established” diploma/certificate

It is also important that the candidate can recognize ‘discoloration’.

Course duration

• For employees without focused professional training.
  • 3 days (6 half-days) including exam
  • Maximum of 12 students
  • Days 1 and 2: Discussion and practice with the teaching material, practice with the measuring equipment and practical assignments.
  • Day 3: Morning: Rehearse lesson material. Afternoon: Exam
• For employees with demonstrably focused training*.
  • 2 days (4 half-day sessions) including exam.
  • Maximum of 12 trainees.
  • Day 1: Discussing and practicing the course material, practicing with the measuring equipment and practical assignments.
  • Day 2: Morning: Rehearse lesson material. Afternoon: Exam.
  • *:
    – VAPRO (A, B, C)
    – Laboratory technology (mbo/hbo/wo)
    – Chemistry (mbo/hbo/wo)
    – MVK / HVK / MoSHE
    – Occupational hygiene (post hbo)
    – Fire department training as a hazardous materials explorer
    – Chemistry (mbo/hbo/wo)
    – Previous SOG gas measurement certificate expired more than 1 year.
    – Other qualifications only in consultation with VCA Infra.
• Basic training with prior knowledge and gas measurement experience.
  • 1 day (2 half-days) including examination.
  • One of the training courses listed above.
  • Prove relevant gas measurement experience.
  • ELCONY receives a statement from the client regarding relevant gas measurement experience.
• Refresher training.
  • 1 day (2 day parts) including exam.
  • Previous diploma in Gas Measurement (SOG) that has not expired more than 1 year.

Diploma

• According to the SSVV Training Guide (SOG).
• 3 years valid.

Recognitions

• NOGEPA recognizes the SOG diploma ‘Gas Measuring’ from the SSVV.
• SSVV recognizes not the NOGEPA diploma ‘Gas Measurement 1.4’.

Gas Measuring (ELCONY)

Purpose group

The Gas Measuring course is designed for employees who must perform gas measurements and gas detection and interpret measurement data. Measurements include explosive and toxic substances and oxygen.

Employees in the industry with a specific professional training such as a VAPRO training (A, B or C level) or laboratory technician training who carry out gas measurements and interpret measurement data in the workplace at a (petro)chemical company site.

Learning objective

The employee learns in the gas measurement course to perform and interpret gas measurements in a safe and competent manner.

Theory

• Basic concepts of: toxic substance, poisoning, gases and vapors, effects of toxic substances on the body, definitions Limit Value and TGG, diffusion-dependent factors for gases and vapors, relationship between Vol. % and ppm and mg/m³, toxic substance measurement.
• Basic concepts of fire and explosion, definition of explosion area, explosion limits and the percentages of these limits, explosivity measurement.
• Basic concepts such as suffocation due to oxygen deficiency, effects of too high or too low oxygen percentage, oxygen measurement.

Practice

• Make gas measurements independently.
• Measure with a catalytic explosimeter.
• Measuring with an oxygen meter.
• Measure with a Photo Ionization Detection meter (PID meter).
• Measuring with chemical gas measuring tubes.

Exam

The exam is composed based on the VCA Infra test matrix.

In-company

This course is also provided in-company.

Entrance requirements

None.
Diploma

• According to Occupational Health and Safety Act article 8 – Information and instruction.
• Valid for 5 years