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Gas/Air Monitoring MINING HAZARDS WHAT'S NEW IN AUSTRALIAN MINING

When size really matters

Control Equipment AMSJ SPRING 2020

The GX-3R Pro is the world’s smallest 5-gas monitor weighing only 129 grams, which can easily be worn within the ‘breathing zone’. Traditionally 5 gas instruments had to be worn on the workers hip due to their size and weight or with some type of harness.

Due to the GX-3R Pro’s size (73mm W x 65mm H x 26mm D), weight, and wearability, it can be located anywhere within the “breathing zone” which will help keep workers safe even in the tightest of situations.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines the “breathing zone” as the area “within a 10-inch radius of the worker’s nose and mouth.” That would indicate that an instrument used primarily for personal protection from toxic hazards such as H2S should be worn on the collar, the lapel, on a breast pocket or even on the brim of a hard hat – or simply within a 10-inch radius of your nose and mouth.

Features of the GX-3R Pro include a 3-year warranty, man-down alarm, and the lithium-ion rechargeable power supply. The lithium-ion battery pack will operate for 25 hours and will fully charge in 3 hours. It also has a long-life battery mode which will enable the instrument to operate for up to 40 hours before recharging.

It is crucial for workers to wear/use the correct protective equipment, to avoid respiratory hazards, and the potential effects it has on the body. These malfunctions include, but are not limited to – degradation of the protective ensemble, perception of odours, skin irritation, unusual residues on PPE, discomfort resistance to breathing, fatigue due to respirator use, interference with vision or communication, restriction of movement, and personal responses such as rapid pulse, nausea, and chest pain.


The GX-3R Pro is durable and built for the toughest environments. With an IP-68 rating, in can fully protect a user against dust and other particulates, including a vacuum seal, tested against continuous airflow. It also protects against extended immersion under higher pressure (i.e. greater depths). Precise parameters of this test will be set and advertised by the manufacturer and may include additional factors such as temperature fluctuations and flow rates, depending on equipment type.

In addition to monitoring standard confined space gases, LEL, O2, CO, & H2S, the GX-3R Pro has a 5th channel where you can add infrared or toxic gas sensors. The current sensors offering the GX-3R Pro is Carbon Dioxide (CO2); Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) as well as Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). In the coming months Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN); Phosphine (PH3); Chlorine (CL2) and Ammonia (NH3) will be added to the sensor family.

Another feature of the GX-3R Pro is that it’s equipped with Bluetooth communication. This is used to display the direct gas readings from the instrument to a phone app (available free on either iOS or Android phones). The automatic notifications can also be programmed to send email messages, if there is an alarm event from the GX-3R Pro.

According to OSHA, direct-reading instruments were developed as early warning devices for use in industrial settings, where a leak or an accident could release a high concentration of a known chemical into the ambient atmosphere. Direct-reading instruments may also be used to rapidly detect flammable or explosive atmospheres, oxygen deficiency, certain gases and vapours, and ionising radiation. They are the primary tools of initial site characterisation.

Safety supervisors will also appreciate the non-compliance indicator feature. The instrument will flash 3 LED lights every 30 seconds in the following conditions; if the instrument has not been bump tested, if a calibration is due, or if there was a gas alarm event, it will continue to flash once every 30 seconds until the non-compliance condition has been resolved. This 30 second interval can also be adjustable.

It also includes an internal data logger, which allows 3,600 event logs and 300 hours that can be downloaded using the IrDA link. A loud 95dB alarm buzzer is also a product feature. With an operating temperature of -20 degrees Celsius and +50 degrees Celsius (continuous) the GX-3R Pro can be used in many different environments and applications.

The GX-3R Pro is the perfect instrument for confined spaced workers. Since it’s the world’s smallest and lightest gas detector on the market, it’s rugged design and durability will help to protect its users anywhere within “breathing zone”.


To view the full range of Control Equipment products visit www.controlequipment.com.au and phone 07 3481 9000 for more information.

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