Which type of atmospheric testing is NOT typically required before confined space entry?

Testing for heavy metals is not typically required before confined space entry because it focuses on contaminants that are not part of the immediate atmospheric hazards. In confined spaces, the primary concerns revolve around the atmosphere itself, which includes levels of oxygen as well as the presence of flammable or toxic gases and vapors that could pose immediate risks to workers.

Oxygen level testing is essential to ensure that the atmosphere is safe to breathe, as both oxygen-deficient and oxygen-enriched environments can be hazardous. Testing for flammable gases or vapors is also crucial, as a potentially explosive atmosphere poses an immediate danger in confined spaces. Similarly, testing for toxic gases or vapors is key to ensuring that workers are not exposed to harmful substances that could affect their health.

While heavy metals can be hazardous in certain confined spaces, they are often related to solid contaminants rather than the atmospheric conditions that lead to immediate respiratory risks. Therefore, heavy metals testing does not fall under the standard atmospheric testing requirements needed to ensure safe entry into confined spaces.