What is the purpose of air monitoring in confined spaces?

Air monitoring in confined spaces is primarily focused on detecting harmful gas levels. Confined spaces often pose significant hazards due to the potential presence of toxic gases, oxygen-deficient atmospheres, or explosive vapors, which can have serious consequences for worker safety. By continuously monitoring the air quality, workers can identify dangerous concentrations of harmful substances and take necessary precautions, such as evacuation or implementing ventilation measures, to mitigate the risk of exposure.

While improving communication or ensuring visibility may be considerations for working in confined spaces, they are not the main objectives of air monitoring. Checking for water presence could be relevant in specific contexts, but it does not directly address the purpose of air monitoring related to ensuring a safe breathing environment for workers. Thus, detecting harmful gas levels is the key purpose of air monitoring in confined spaces, reinforcing the importance of maintaining a safe atmosphere during operations.