Section 5: Safety
around Manure Gases
and Confined Spaces
1. This gas is lighter than air and irritates the eye and lungs.
2. Is ammonia concentration higher in warmer or cooler conditions?
3. This gas is explosive if in high enough concentrations.
4. How long can explosive concentrations of methane remain around a storage structure after it has
been emptied?
5. This gas can cause, rapid breathing, dizziness, and fatigue.
6. Levels of this gas can increase a thousand-fold during agitation.
7. This gas is the most dangerous of the manure gases.
8. List three areas where hydrogen sulfide can increase rapidly during agitation.
9. These two gases are not highly toxic to animals or humans but rather displaces oxygen.
10. These two gases are heavier than air and can pose health threats in and around buildings.
11. The typical range of CO2 concentration in well-ventilated livestock buildings is?
12. What is a confined space?
13. What are two things you need to know before entering a confined space?
14. What is the best way to determine if manure gases are present?
15. Using ventilation, how many air exchanges should take place before someone enters a confined
space?
16. What should be used to enter a confined space if a gas monitor and ventilation is not available?
17. List three precautions which should be taken before entering a confined space.
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Section 5 Safety around Manure Gases
and Confined Spaces Review Answers
1. This gas is lighter than air and irritates the eye and lungs.
a. Ammonia
2. Is ammonia concentration higher in warmer or cooler conditions?
a. Warmer
3. This gas is explosive if in high enough concentrations.
a. Methane
4. How long can explosive concentrations of methane remain around a storage structure after it has
been emptied?
a. Several weeks
5. This gas can cause, rapid breathing, dizziness, and fatigue.
a. Methane
6. Levels of this gas can increase a thousand-fold during agitation.
a. Hydrogen sulfide
7. This gas is the most dangerous of the manure gases.
a. Hydrogen sulfide
8. List three areas where hydrogen sulfide can increase rapidly during agitation.
a. Reception pits, barns with below-floor storage, transfer areas, or other confined spaces
9. These two gases are not highly toxic to animals or humans but rather displace oxygen.
a. Ammonia, carbon dioxide
10. These two gases are heavier than air and can pose health threats in and around buildings.
a. Carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide
11. The typical range of CO2 concentration in well-ventilated livestock buildings is?
a. 500-5000ppm
12. What is a confined space?
a. Any space with one or limited number of entry and exit points
13. What are two things you need to know before entering a confined space?
a. Air quality and how to protect yourself
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14. What is the best way to determine if manure gases are present?
a. Gas monitor
15. Using ventilation, how many air exchanges should take place before someone enters a confined
space?
a. At least 7
16. What should be used to enter a confined space if a gas monitor and ventilation is not available?
a. Self-contained breathing apparatus
17. List three precautions which should be taken before entering a confined space.
a. Never enter a pit, especially during or just after agitation
b. Test for toxic gases
c. If absolutely necessary to enter a pit, always wear a self-contained breathing equipment
d. Always wear a safety line and work with at least two other people outside the pit
e. Remove all people and all animals from buildings over pits before pit agitation
f. Provide maximum ventilation when agitating or pumping manure
g. Do not smoke or have any other fire or ignition source around manure pits
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