How to Find the Best Confined Space Entry Kit for Your Team

Confined space entry is a complicated business. But buying the tools you need to perform regular, compliant entry of a permit-required confined space (PRCS) doesn't have to be difficult. We've been in business longer than the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been around, and it's our business to know exactly what you need to be compliant with their most current regulations.

We've put together two confined space entry kits together that fit the unique needs of the two main groups of folks performing these tasks: city and utility workers and contractors. If you work for a water treatment facility, MUD, or site maintenance for light, medium, or heavy industry, chances are you have regular need for confined space entry equipment, and you'd prefer that equipment stays in good working order even with heavy use over the years.

Not to make too sweeping a generalization here, but many of the contractors we talk to aren't in that type of situation. They often encounter a job where confined space entry will be required, and they need to do it the right way. And when this project is over, they don't expect (or probably want) to be performing loads of confined space work. The kit we have put together for the contractor's kit does not cut corners on safety. But it does arrive at compliant package that's about $1,100 less expensive than our other kit.

The CS Entry Kit is our heavy-weight offering. Not in terms of actual weight: With an aluminum tripod and a blower that's made of UV-resistant polyethylene, this kit can be lugged from site to site without much effort. It's a complete Confined Space Entry System that utilities, water works, and wastewater treatment facilities all over the country are using on a regular basis. And that's the real difference between these two kits: The CS Entry System kit is designed for teams that are performing PRCS entry on a regular basis. The equipment is a bit more robust, and the harness is more comfortable.

The Confined Space Entry Contractor's Kit on the other hand also meets all OSHA requirements for confined space entry while still being economically priced.

For gas detection, the Entry Kit features the BW Max XT II 4-Gas Monitor. This handheld monitor features a big LED screen that's easy to read, and it has an internal draw pump that can sample the atmosphere from up to 75 feet away. And while we don't recommend it, the Max XT II has been thrown across a room, and dropped from significant heights, and it keeps on working.

The less expensive Contractor's Kit also has a solid 4-gas monitor, the QRAE II. The QRAE II has an easy, two-button user interface, as well as a strong sample draw pump. Is this a durable, reliable monitor for gas detection? Absolutely. Is it the best you can buy? Probably not. No. But it's a tool that has been used by thousands of our satisfied customers, and can be trusted to keep your team safe. The real question is: Does it provide safety to the levels required by OSHA. And for that, the resounding answer is Yes.

If you have questions about the kits, or you fall somewhere in between the two groups we have identified, give us a call, or contact us online at pksafety.com Monday - Friday from 7am to 5pm PST. We are happy to answer your questions or help you put together a kit that best suits your needs.

As always, thanks for reading and stay safe.