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H2S SAFET HANDBOOK BY K.L.N.RAO

H2S SAFETY FOR OIL, GAS AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY

ANYONE WHO HAS WORKED ON THE OILFIELD OR THE PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME IS AWARE
THAT THERE ARE MANY POTENTIAL HAZARDS PRESENT ON EXPLORATION, PRODUCTION AND REFINING FACILITIES.

SAFETY CONSCIOUS WORKERS FIND THAT MANY OF THESE HAZARDS ARE EASILY DETECTED.ONCE HAZARD IS
RECOGNIZED,ITS IS A FAIRLY ROUTINE PROCEDURE TO TAKE THE PRECAUTIONS NECESSARY TO PROTECT YOURSELF
,AS LONG AS THE PROPER SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT IS IN PLACE.HOWEVER ,THERE IS A HAZARD FOUND ON SOME
LOCATIONS THAT IS NOT EASILY RECOGNIZED- H2S.

OVER THE YEARS ,H2S(HYDROGEN SULPHIDE) HAS KILLED NUMEROUS WORKERS IN THE OILFIELD AND
PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES.MANY OF ITS VICTIMS WERE COMPLETELY UNAWARE THAT A DEADLY
CONCENTRATION OF THE GAS WAS PRESENT,SINCE IT IS INVISIBLE AND DEADENS THE SENSE OF SMELL AT HIGH
CONCENTRATIONS.

UNFORTUNATELY MANY OTHER VICTIMS WERE AWARE HYDROGEN SULFIDE WAS PRESENT AND SIMPLY FAILED TO
TAKE APPROPRIATE PRECAUTIONS.THERE ARE INDUSTRY STANDARDS FOR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS AND
PERMISSIBLE EXPOSURE LIMITS AS PER API RECOMMENDED PRACTICE 49,ANSI Z390.1 AND OSHA PERMISSIBLE
EXPOSURE LIMITS.

COMPANIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRAINING OF THEIR OWN EMPLOYEES BY A QUALIFIED H2S SAFETY
INSTRUCTOR.DATES ,INSTRUCTOR , ATTENDEES , AND SUBJECTS FOR ALL PERSONNEL TRAINING SESSIONS SHOULD BE
DOCUMENTED AND APPROPRIATE RECORDS RETAINED BY THE EMPLOYER FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR.

WHAT IS H2S ?
HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS A DEADLY GAS WHICH IS MADE UP OF ONE ATOM OF SULFUR AND TWO ATOMS OF
HYDROGEN.IT HAS MANY NAMES, AND YOU MAY HEAR IT REFFERED TO BY SCIENTIFIC NAMES SUCH AS
 H2S
 DISULFUR HYDRIDE
 SULFUR HYDRIDE
 DIHYDROGEN MONOSULFIDE
 DIHYDROGEN SULFIDE
 SULFURETTED HYDROGEN
 HYDROSULFURIC ACID.

YOU MAY ALSO HEAR IT REFFERED TO BY COMMON NAMES SUCH AS

 SOUR GAS
 SEWER GAS
 SWAMP GAS
 ROTTEN EGG GAS
 STINK DAMP

IN INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS, THE NAME MOST COMMONLY USED IS H2S.

H2S IS FORMED WHEN BACTERIA BREAKDOWN THE SULFUR RICH PROTIENS FOUND IN DEAD PLANTS AND
ANIMALS.ALTHOUGH THIS CAN HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT OXYGEN IS PRESENT, THE BACTERIA TENDS
TO PRODUCE MORE H2S IN STAGNANT ,LOW OXYGEN ENVIRONMENTS, SUCH AS SWAMPS,SEPTIC TANKS,AND IN THE
BOTTOM OF OIL PRODUCTION TANKS.

SINCE OIL AND GAS ARE ALSO CREATED FROM ORGANIC MATERIALS TRAPPED IN SEDIMENT,H2S IS OFTEN FOUND IN
ASSOCIATION WITH HYDROCARBON BEARING FORMATIONS.

WHEN H2S IS FOUND IN A FORMATION,IT IS USUALLY CREATEDM SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH THE OIL AND GAS.HOWEVER
,IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE H2S TO BE CREATED AT THE LATER DATE BY CHEMICALS OR BACTERIA INTRODUCED INTO THE
FORMATION DURING PRODUCTION OPERATIONS, SUCH AS ACIDIZING OR WATER FLOODING.WHEN THIS PROCESS
STARTS,A WELL WILL USUALLY DEVELOP SLOWLY INCREASING CONCENTRATION OF H2S OVER ITS PRODUCTION LIFE.

PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

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H2S SAFET HANDBOOK BY K.L.N.RAO
IN ORDER TO WORK SAFELY AROUND H2S, YOU MUST BE AWARE OF ITS PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS.
HYDROGEN SULFIDE HAS A COMBINATION OF PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS THAT MAKES IT PARTICULARLY
DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH.

HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS AN EXTREMELY TOXIC GAS AND IT CAN CAUSE A VARIETY OF HEALTH PROBLEMS,DEPENDING
UPON THE CONCENTRATION AND DURATION OF EXPOSURE.

WHEN PRESENTING INFORMATION ON THE TOXICITY OF GASES,THE UNIT OF MEASURE MOST COMMONLY USED IS
PPM(PARTS PER MILLION).EACH PPM IS ONE MILLIONTH OF THE VOL IN QUESTION.10000 PPM IS 1% BY
VOL.CONCENTRATIONS OF H2S ABOVE 10PPM,OR 0.001% BY VOLUME ARE CONSIDERED UNHEALTHY.

THE AMERICAN CONFERENCE OF GOVERNMENTAL INDUSTRIAL HYGENISTS HAS DETERMINED THAT IT IS SAFE TO BE
EXPOSED TO A MAX AVERAGE CONCENTRATION OF 10PPM DURING A 40 HOUR WORKWEEK.THIS CONCENTRATION IS
KNOWN AS THRESHOLD LIMIT VALUE-TIE WEIGHTED AVERAGE.HIGHER CONCENTRATIONS OR LONGER DURATIONS
OF EXPOSURES,ARE POTENTIALLY HARMFULL.

SHORT TERM EXPOSURES TO CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN 10-100PPM CAN CAUSE MILD EYE AND RESPIRATORY TRACT
IRRITATION,HEADACHES,AND NAUSEA.LONG TERM EXPOSURES TO CONCENTRATIONS IN THIS RANGE CAN CAUSE
DAMAGE TO THE EYES,INCLUDING ULCERATED CORNEAS.IN SOME CASES ,EXPOSURES IN THIS RANGE MAY ALSO
CAUSE:

 SLEEP DISTURBANCES
 LOSS OF APPETITE

SHORT TERM EXPOSURE TO CONCENTRATIONS BETWEEN 100PPM AND 400PPM CAN CAUSE SERIOUS :

 EYE AND RESPIRATORY TRACT IRRITATION

 HEADACHES
 NAUSEA
 DISORIENTATION
 GASTROINTESTINAL DISTURBANCES

IN ADDITION TO THESE PROBLEMS,LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO CONCENTRATIONS IN THIS RANGE CAN CAUSE
PULMONARY EDEMA,WHICH IS ALSO KNOWN AS CHEMICAL PNEUMONIA.CHEMICAL PNEUMONIA IS A VERY SERIOUS
CONDITION THAT IS FATAL IF LEFT UNTREATED.

SHORT TERM EXPOSER TO CONCENTRATIONS ABOVE 500PPM CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS DUE TO
RESPIRATORY ARREST.H2S CAUSES RESPIRATORY ARREST BY DISRUPTING THE SIGNALS SENT BY THE NERVES IN THE
BRAIN THAT CONTROL BREATHING.BETWEEN 500PPM-700PPM RESPIRATORY ARREST CAN TAKE MINUTES OR HOURS TO
DEVELOP.

HOWEVER,AT CONCENTRATIONS OVER 700PPM,RESPIRATORY ARREST CAN RESULT FROM JUST ONE BREATH.IF THE
VICTIM IS NOT RESCUED AND RESUSCITATED WITHIN THREE TO SIX MINUTES,PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE OR DEATH
IS LIKELY TO RESULT.

UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES,INDIVIDUALS CAN EXPERIENCE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF H2S EXPOSURE AT
CONCENTRATIONS LOWER THAN THOSE PRESENTED HERE.FACTORS THAT MIGHT MAKE AN INDIVIDUAL MORE
SUSCPETIBLE TO H2S INCLUDE:

 PREVIOUS EXPOSURE TO H2S

 USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
 CERTAIN PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
 HEALTH PROBLEMS INVOLVING THE RESPIRATORY,CIRCULATORY,NERVOUS SYSTEMS AND PERSONAL
BIOCHEMISTRY.

BECAUSE MEDICATIONS AND HEALTH PROBLEMS CAN RESULT IN SENSITIVITY TO H2S,IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW
YOUR COMPANY’S GUIDELINES CONCERNING THE MEDICAL EVALUATION OF PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO WORK IN
AREAS THAT MIGHT CONTAIN H2S.YOU SHOULD MAKE YOUR EMPLOYER AWARE OF ANY PREVIOUS EXPOSURE TO H2S
OR HEALTH PROBLEMS THAT COULD INCREASE YOUR SUSCPETIBILITY TO H2S.

ANOTHER DANGEROUS PROPERTY OF H2S IS ITS VERY POOR WARNING CHARACTERISTICS.

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H2S SAFET HANDBOOK BY K.L.N.RAO
H2S DOESN’T USUALLY GIVE ANY VISUAL WARNING OF ITS PRESENCE SINCE IT IS COLORLESS GAS.

AT LOW CONCENTRATIONS H2S HAS AN OFFENSIVE,PUNGENT ODOUR SIMILAR TO ROTTEN EGGS.YOU MAY RECOGNISE
THE SMELL SOMETHING YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED BEFORE, BECAUSE THERE CAN BE AS MUCH AS 14PPM H2S IN
HUMAN INTESTINAL GAS.

AT SLIGHTLY HIGH ER CONCENTRATIONS H2S MAY HAVE A SWEET OR METALLIC ODOUR.AT CONCENTRATIONS ABOVE
100PPM,H2S DEADEN THE OLFACTORY NERVES AND HAS NO ODOUR AT ALL.THIS IS WHY INSTRUMENTATION MUST BE
USED TO DETECT H2S INSTEAD OF THE SENSE OF SMELL.H2S IS ALSO DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS VERY FLAMMABLE
AND HIGH CONCENTRATIONS CAN RESULT IN EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERES.

 THE MINIMUM CONCENTRATION THAT WILL BURN IS 4.3% OR 43000PPM.

 THE MAXIMUM CONCENTRATION THAT WILL BURN IS 46% OR 460000PPM.
 THE TEMPERATURE THAT WILL CAUSE THE GAS TO SPONTANEOUSLY IGNITE IS 5180F.

WHEN H2S BURNS ,IT BURN WITH A BLUE FLAME AND FORM SULFUR DIOXIDE ,A TOXIC AND EXTREMELY IRRITATING
GAS.UNLIKE H2S,SULFUR DIOXIDE HAS EXCELLENT WARNING PROPERTIES,IT SMELLS LIKE BURNT MATCHES AND IT IS
INTENSELY IRRITATING AT LOW CONCENTRATIONS AND IT NEVER DEADENS YOUR SENSE OF SMELL.

ANOTHER REASON H2S IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IS THAT IT IS 19% HEAVIER THAN AIR, AT SAME
TEMPERATURE,CAUSING H2S TO SETTLE AND ACCUMULATE IN LOW LYING AREAS.THIS IS ESPECIALLY LIKELY TO
OCCUR DURING PERIODS OF CALM,COOL,FOGGY WEATHER.THE FACT THAT H2S IS CORROSIVE TO METALS,SUCH AS
IRON,COPPER AND SILVER,ALSO PRESENTS A CHALLENGE.SINCE THE STEEL IN DRILLING,PRODUCTION AND REFINING
EQUIPMENT IS PRIMARILY COMPRISED OF IRON,CORROSION CAN CAUSE SIGNIFICANT OPERATIONAL AND SAFETY
PROBLEMS.H2SVREACTING WITH STEEL MAY FORM IRON SULFIDE OR IRON PYRITE SCALE.WHEN EXPOSED TO
ACID,BOTH THESE SCALES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BREAKDOWN AND RELEASE RELATIVELY LARGE VOLUMES OF H2S.

AN ADDITIONAL HAZARD POSED BY IRON SULFIDE IS THAT WHEN EXPOSED TO AIR ,IT MAY SPONTANEOUSLY
IGNITE,RELEASING SULFUR DIOXIDE AS IT BURNS.AS H2S REACTS TO FORM THESE SCALES,ATOMIC HYDROGEN IS
RELEASED WHICH MAY PENETRATE THE STEEL AND CAUSE SULFIDE STRESS CRACKING.ONCE INSIDE ,THE ATOMIC
HYDROGEN DIFFUSES TO “TRAP”

SITES,WHERE IT CAUSES A LOCAL INCREASE IN STRESS IN THE METAL LATTICE.THE STRESS ULTIMATELY LEADS TO A
BRITTLE FRACTURE OF THE MATERIAL.

THIS TYPE OF CRACKING USUALLY OCCURS RAPIDLY,WITHOUT WARNING ,AND CAN RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC
EQUIPMENT FAILURE.

USNING SPECIAL ALLOYS AND CHEMICAL TREATMENTS CAN HELP CONTROL THE CORROSION PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED
WITH H2S

WORKING SAFELY WITH H2S

NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF H2S,YOU NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PROTECT
YOURSELF FROM IT.H2S OCCURS IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS WITHIN THE UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM PHASES OF
THE PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRY;HOWEVER,THE BASIC PRECAUTIONS NECESSARY TO WORK SAFELY AROUND H2S ARE
THE SAME, REGARDLESS OF WHERE IT IS ENCOUNTERED.SAFELY WORKING AROUND H2S REQUIRES SIX ACTION STEPS:

 A CONTINGENCY PLAN
 ENGINEERING CONTROLS
 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
 GAS DETECTION EQUIPMENT
 SAFE WORKING PRACTICES
 A RESCUE PLAN

CONTINGENCY PLANS

A H2S CONTINGENCY PLAN IS A DOCUMENT THAT CONSISTS OF A SYSTEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE HAZARDS
ASSOCIATED WITH AN OPEARTION AND THE METHODS REQUIRED TO REDUCE THE HAZARDS TO AN ACCEPTABLE
LEVELS.A CONTINGENCY PLAN DESCRIBES THE:

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H2S SAFET HANDBOOK BY K.L.N.RAO
 ENGINEERING CONTROLS
 PPE
 WORK PRACTICES
 ERP(EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES)

NECESSARY TO WORK SAFELY.

IF YOU ARE EXPECTED TO WORK ON H2S LOCATION,YOU MUST ATTEND A SITE-SPECIFIC ORIENTATION DESIGNED TO
FAMILIARIZE YOU AND YOUR CO-WORKERS WITH THE CONTINGENCY PLAN THAT IS IN EFFECT.ONE OF THE MOST
IMPORTANT POINTS FOUND IN THE CONTINGENCY PLAN IS ,A DISCUSSION OF HOW WORKIERS SHOULD RESPOND WHEN
AN UNEXPECTED RELEASE OF H2S ID DETECTED.THESE MAY DIFFER RADICALLY FROM LOCATION TO LOCATION AND
MAY INCLUDE SUCH EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES AS WELL- CONTROL,BLOWOUT IGNITION,EVACUATION
PLANS AND OFFSHORE RIG DEBOARDING PROCEDURES.

THE CONTINGENCY PLAN MUST IDENTIFY WHAT ESSENTIAL AND NON-ESSENTIAL WORKERS DO AT VARIOUS ALARM
POINTS ON THE GAS DETECTION SYSTEM.

ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL ARE WORKERS WHO MUST REMAIN IN OPERATIONAL AREAS TO HELP CONTROL THE
EMERGENCY SITUATION.FOR A LOW CONCENTRATION ALARM,ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL LOCATE A SCBA AND MOVE TO
THEIR DUTY STATION.THE SCBA DOESN’T HAVE TO BE DONNED.FOR A HIGH CONCENTRATION ALARM,ESSENTIAL
PERSONNEL MUST PROTECT THEMSELVES BY:

 REMAINING CALM AND NOT PANICKING

 IMMEDIATELY HOLD YOUR BREATH AND DON SCBA ENSURING ITS PROPER OPERATION
 HELP ANY OTHER PERSONS IN DISTRESS
 PERFORM YOUR DESIGNATED EMERGENCY RESPONSIBILITIES

NON ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL RESPOND TO ALARMS IN THE SAME MANNER AS ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL,EXCEPT THAT
NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONNELS REPORT TO THE DESIGNATED UPWIND SAFE BRIEFING AREA AND AWAIT FURTHER
INSTRUCTIONS.SCBA’S DO NOT HAVE TO BE DONNED FOR LOW ALARMS.

ENGINEERING CONTROLS

ENGINEERING CONTROLS ARE FEATURES INCORPORATED INTO EQUIPMENT OR SYSTEM TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE
HAZARDS.CONTAINMENT IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY ENGINNERING CONTROLS USED TO PROTECT PERSONNEL FROM
EXPOSURE TO H2S.THIS TECHNIQUE INVOLVES PREVENTING THE GAS FROM BEING PRESENT IN THE BREATHING ZONE
OF WORKERS BY CONTAINING IT WITHIN A CLOSED PIPING SYSTEM.VENTILLATION IS ANOTHER ENGINEERING
CONTROL THAT IS USED TO PROTECT WORKERS.WITH EVEN A LIGHT BREEZE BLOWING , NATURAL VENTILLATION CAN
GREATLY REDUCE THE CONCENTRATION OF TOXIC GAS IN THE ENVIRONMENT.WHERE SMALL VOLUMES OF GAS MAY
BE RELEASED,FANS ARE OFTEN EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING ATMOSPHERIC CONCENTRATIONS TO SAFE LEVELS.

BECAUSE H2S TENDS TO MOVE WITH THE WIND,IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER TO STAY UPWIND OF ANY
POTENTIAL POINTS OF RELEASE WHEN WORKING WITHOUT RESPIRATORY PROTECTION.

PPE

OFTEN ENGINNERING CONTROLS CANNOT BE USED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT ECONOMICALLY OR TECHNOLOGICALLY
FEASIBLE.PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IS FREQUENTLY USED WHEN ENGINNERING CONTROLS ARE NOT A
VIABLE OPTION.THE PPE MOST FREQUENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH H2S OPERATIONS IS THE SLEF CONTAINED BREATHING
APPARATUS.

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PERSONNEL IN WORK ENVIRONMENTS WHERE MORE THAN
10PPM H2S IS PRESENT.

BECAUSE OF THE POOR WARNING CHARACTERSITICS,THE ONLY FOR M OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION THAT IS
ACCEPTABLE WHEN H2S IS PRESENT IS THE SCBA.ITS A RESPIRATOR THAT INCORPORATES AN AIR CYLINDER WORN ON
THE USER’S BODY-THIS MAY OR MAY NOT BE THE PRIMARY AIR SUPPLY.THE AIR USED IN SCBA’S MUST BE HIGHLY
PURIFIED BREATHING AIR,WHICH IS COMPRESSED GAS ASSOCIATION GRADE-D OR BETTER.THREE MAIN TYPES OF
SCBAs USED IN AREAS WHERE H2S MAY BE PRESENT ARE THE :

 ESCAPE UNIT

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H2S SAFET HANDBOOK BY K.L.N.RAO
 HOSELINE WORK UNIT,ALSO KNOWN AS A TYPE C UNIT
 WORK/RESCUE UNIT

THE ESCAPE UNIT IS A COMPACT LIGHT WEIGHT SCBAPROVIDED TO WORKERS WHO REGULARLY WORK IN AREAS
WHERE H2S LEAKS MIGHT OCCUR.UNITS ARE DONNED WHEN WORKER BECOMES AWARE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR
DANGEROUS CONCENTRATION OF H2S AND DECIDES TO LEAVE THE AREA.ALTHOUGH CYLINDER CAPACITY VARY,THE
MOST COMMON TYPE OF ESCAPE UNIT IS EQUIPPED WITH A CYLINDER THAT PROVIDES 5MINUTES OF BREATHING TIME.

BECAUSE OF THE SMALL AMOUNT OF BREATHING TIME AVAILABLE ,THESE UNITS HAVE ONLY ONE ACCEPTABLE USE-
ESCAPE.YOU SHOULD NEVER ATTEMPT TO WORK OR PERFORM A RESCUE WHILE WEARING AN ESCAPE UNIT.

THE HOSELINE WORK UNIT IS ANOTHER TYPE OF SCBA PROVIDED TO WORKERS WHO MUST WORK FOR PROLONGED
PERIODS OF TIME IN AREAS WHERE H2S IS PRESENT.THE DISTINGUISHING FEATURE OF THESE RESPIRATORS IS THAT
THEY ALLOW THE WEARER TO ACCESS TWO AIR SUPPLIES.

 THE PRIMARY AIR SUPPLY IS DELIVERED BY HOSELINE,FROM A CASCADE OF HIGH CAPACITY BREATHING AIR
CYLINDER OR REMOTE BREATHING AIR COMPRESSOR.
 THE SECONDARY AIR SUPPLY IS CONTAINED IN A CYLINDER WORN ON THE RESPITOR USER BODY.

IF THE SECONDARY AIR SUPPLY HAS A NOMINALDURATION LESS THAN 15 MINUTES,THE RESPIRATOR BECOMES AN
ESCAPE UNIT WHEN WEARER IS BREATHING FROM THE CYLINDER WORN ON THE BODY.THE 30 MINUTE WORK/RESCUE
UNIT IS AN SCBA PROVIDED TO WORKERS WHO MUST RESCUE OR WORK IN AREAS WHERE THE ATTACHMENT TO A
REMOTE AIR SUPPLY IS NOT POSSIBLE.A PERSON WEARING A 30MIN WORK.RESCUE SCBA IS UNLIKELY TO ACTUALLY BE
ABLE TO WORK FOR 30MIN,BECAUSE THE NORMAL TIME IS BASED ON IDEAL CONDITIONS.

A TYPICAL PERSON WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO BREATH OFF OF A 30MIN WORK/RESCUE SCBA FOR A LITTLE OVER TWENTY
MINUTES.

A LOW ALARM SOUNDS ON THESE UNITS AT 25% OF CYLINDER CAPACITY.WHEN THIS HAPPENS,THE RESPIRATOR
WEARER MUST LEAVE THE HAZARDOUS AREA IMMEDIATELY.IF YOU ARE EXPECTED TO WEAR SCBA ,OSHA AND OTHER
INTERNATIONAL REGULATORY STANDARDS,REQUIRES THAT YOUR EMPLOYER ASSURES YOU ARE CAPABLE OF
WEARING IT SAFELY.

YOU MUST B E MEDICALLY EVALUATED,FIT TESTED,AND TRAINED BEFORE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO WEAR A
RESPIRATOR IN A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS ATMOSPHERE.

YOU MUST BECOME THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE INSPECTION,DONNING AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR
EACH MODEL OF SCBA YOU ARE EXPECTED TO USE.IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT EMPLOYEES HOLD PERIODIC DRILLS
UTILIZING BREATHING EQUIPMENT.THESE DRILLS SHOULD BE INITIATED BY ACTUATING THE H2S ALARM WHERE UPON
ALL PERSONNEL SHOULD DONN THE APPROPRIATE BREATHING EQUIPMENT,PROCEED TO ASSIGNED PROTECTION
AREAS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE EMERGENCY PROCEDURES,AND AWAIT INSTRUCTIONS.ESSENTIAL WORKERS
SHOULD THEN PERFORM A SHORT PERIOD OF ROUTINE WORK IN THE BREATHING EQUIPMENT.AFTER THE DRILL ,SCBA
CYLINDERS SHALL BE REFILLED,INSPECTED AND MADE READY FOR IMMEDIATE USE UNDER EMERGENCY CONDITIONS.

DETECTION

BECAUSE RELATIVELY LOW CONCENTRATIONS OF H2S QUICKLY DDEADEN THE SENSE OF SMELL,PORTABLE GAS
EQUIPMENT IS OFTEN NECESSARY TO DETERMINE WHEN SCBAs ARE NECESSARY.THREE TYPES OF GAS DETECTION
EQUIPMENTS ARE COMMONLY USED TO DETECT H2S:

 LEAD ACETATE TAPES

 COLORMETRIC TUBES
 ELECTRONIC DETECTORS

LEAD ACETATE TAPES REVEAL THE PRESENCE OF H2S BY THE INDICATOR WINDOWB CHANGING FROM WHITE TO
BROWN.SINCE THESE UNITS DO NOT HAVE ALARMS,THE INDICATOR WINDOW MUST BE CHECKED FREQUENTLY WHEN
APPROACHING AREAS WHERE H2S MIGHT BE PRESENT.

DO NOT RELY ON THESE DEVICES AS YOUR SOLE MEANS OF DETECTION,SINCE YOU COULD BE WORKING IN A HIGH
CONCENTRATION FOR A LONG TIME BEFORE YOU BECOME AWARE OF THE WARNING DISPLAYED IN THE INDICATOR
WINDOW.

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H2S SAFET HANDBOOK BY K.L.N.RAO
COLORMETRIC TUBE INSTRUMENTS ARE USED TO MEASURE H2S CONCENTRATIONS.THEY ARE USED TO DETERMINE
APPROXIMATE AIRBORNE CONCENTRATIONS ONCE THE PRESENCE OF H2S IS SUSPECTED.THEY INDICATE THE
CONCENTRATION OF H2S BY CHANGING COLOR AS A BROWNING STAIN ALONG THE BODY OF THE TUBE IN PROPORTION
TO THE AMOUNT OF H2S PRESENT.THE LENGTH OF STAIN IS COMPARED TO A SCALE ON THE SIDE OF THE TUBE TO
DETERMINE THE CONCENTRATION

ELECTRONIC GAS DETECTORS ARE DESIGNED TO WARN WORKERS OF THE PRESENCE OF H2S BY AUTOMATICALLY
SOUNDING AN ALARM.THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT MODELS OF ELECTRONIC H2S DETECTORS AVAILABLE,HOWEVER
THEY CAN BE DIVIDED INTO TWO BASIC TYPES: A)PORTABLE B) FIXED UNITS.

PORTABLE UNITS ARE, INTENDED FOR AREAS WHERE FIXED UNITS ARE NOT AVAILABLE OR DO NOT PROVIDE
ADEQUATE COVERAGE,WORN ON THE BODY OF THE WORKER AND THEY SOUND ALARM AT A PREDETERMINED
CONCENTRATIONS,MOST OFTEN 10PPM.ONCE ALARM SOUNDS,THE WORKER KNOWS TO EITHER DONN SCBA OR LEAVE
THE AREA IMMEDIATELY.

FIXED UNITS ARE OFTEN REFFERED TO AS H2S MONITORS AND GIVE WARNING OF H2S IN A PARTICULAR AREA ON AN
AROUND THE CLOCK BASIS.THESE WARNINGS ALLOW PERSONNEL TO TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT THEMSELVES.THESE
UNITS CONSISTS OF A CONTROLLER,SEMI-CONDUCTOR BASED REMOTE SENSORS,AND REMOTE ALARMS,WHICH
INCLUDE LIGHTS AND SIRENS.THE CONTROLLER INTERPRETS SIGNALS SENT BY THE SENSORS ARRAY AND ACTIVATES
THE ALARMS AT PREDETERMINED CONCENTRATIONS.SENSORS ARE USUALLY LOCATED IN AREAS WHERE THERE IS
HIGH POTENTIAL FOR A RELEASE,AREAS WHERE H2S IS LIKELY TO ACCUMULATE,AND IN AREAS WHERE WORKERS ARE
FREQUENTLY PRESENT.DEPENDING UPON THE NATURE OF THE FACILITY ,THE NUMBER OF SENSORS NEEDED TO
EFFECTIVELY MONITOR A LOCATION MAY RANGE FROM JUST A HANDFULL TO HUNDREDS.THE REMOTE ALARMS
ACTIVATED BY THE CONTROLLER USUALLY CONSISTS OF LIGHT AND SIRENS.THESE ARE LOCATED NEAR POTENTIALLY
HAZARDOUS AREAS AND IN AREAS WHERE PEOPLE ARE FREQUENTLY PRESENT.THE ARRANGEMENT OF LIGHT AND
SIREN SETS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED ALARM POINTS VARIES SOMEWHAT FROM LOCATION TO LOCATION.THE
ARRANGEMENT ON PARTICULAR LOCATION IS PRIMARILY DETERMINED BY THE REGULATORY STANDARDS THAT
GOVERN THE FACILITY.

SINCE THE LIGHT AND SIREN SETS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED ALARM POINTS DO VARY,IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO
ATTEND A SITE SPECIFIC SAFETY ORIENTATION,WHICH PROVIDE AN OVERVIEW OF THE CONTINGENCY PLAN PRIOR TO
WORKING ON AN H2S LOCATION.THE SITE-SPECIFIC ORIENTATION WILL INCLUDE:

 THE LOCATION AND USE OF PPE,BREATHING DEVICES.

 PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.
 OTHER EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEM.
 EMERGENCY EXIT LOCATIONS.
 DESIGNATED PROTECTION CENTERS OR MUSTER POINTS.
 CURRENT PREVAILING WIND DIRECTION.

BOTH PORTABLE AND FIXED ELECTRONIC H2S DETECTORS MUST BE PROPERLY MAINTAINED IN ORDER TO ASSURE
ACCURATE READINGS.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THESE INSTRUMENTS BE REGULARLY CALIBRATED ACCORDING TO THE

MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

ALTHOUGH EQUIPMENTS SUCH AS RESPIRATOR AND GAS DETECTORS GREATLY REDUCE THE POTENTIAL FOR
EXPOSURE TO H2S,THEY ARE ONLY EFFECTIVE WHEN USED WITH SAFE WORK PRACTICES.

SAFE WORK PRACTICES

SAFE WORK PRACTICES ARE DOCUMENTED ,STANDARDIZED PROCEDURES THAT ARE DEVELOPED SO THAT
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS TASKS CAN BE PERFORMED SAFELY.THERE ARE MANY PRECAUTIONS CONCERNING H2S
OPERATIONS THAT APPLY NO MATTER WHICH INDUSTRY YOU WORK IN.ANYTIME WORKERS ARE IN A POTENTIALLY
HAZARDOUS AREA,THE BUDDY SYSTEM SHOULD BE USED.THE BUDDY SYSTEM INVOLVES ASSIGNING SOMEONE TO
WATCH OVER ANY WORKER WHO MUST ENTER AN AREA WHERE TOXIC GAS IS POTENTIALLY PRESENT.IN THE EVENT
OF AN EMERGENCY THE BUDDY CAN IMMEDIATELY SUMMON HELP.ANOTHER PRECAUTION IS TO ALWAYS WORK
UPWIND OF AREAS OR EQUIPMENT WHERE H2S MAY BE RELEASED.SINCE H2S TENDS TO MOVE WITH THE WIND,AN
UPWIND LOCATION IS WHERE THERE IS THE LEAST POTENTIAL FOR EXPOSER.

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H2S SAFET HANDBOOK BY K.L.N.RAO
ANYONE WHO WORKS AT AN H2S FACILITY SHOULD CONSTANTLY BE AWARE OF THE WIND DIRECTION.

THIS IS GREATLY FACILITATED BY FLAGS AND WINDSOCKS PLACED IN HIGHLY VISIBLE LOCATIONS.IT IS ALSO A GOOD
IDEA TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO AVAOID CREATING A SPARK IN AREAS WHERE H2S IS PRESENT.THE VERY LOW
AUTOIGNITION TEMPERATURE AND WIDE FLAMMABLE RANGE OF H2S MEANS IT IS VERY EASILY IGNITED.ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENTS SHOULD EITHER BE INTRINSICALLY SAFE OR EXPLOSION PROOF.IN AREAS WHERE ATMOSPHERIC
CONCENTRATIONS OF H2S ARE KNOWN TO BE GREATER THAN 10% OF THE LFL(LEL),HANDTOOLS SHOULD ALSO BE
MADE NON SPARKING MATERIALS,SUCH AS BRASS OR COPPER-BERYLLIUM ALLOY.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE

IF EFFECTIVE USE IS MADE OF CONTINGENCY PLANS,ENGINEERING CONTROLS,PPE,GAS DETECTION EQUIPMENTS,AND

SAFE WORK PRACTICES,WORKERS SHOULD NOT BE EXPOSED TO HARMFUL CONCENTRATION OF H2S.HOWEVER
FAILURE TO MAKE EFFECTIVE USE OF THESE MEASURES CAN HAVE DISASTROUS RESULTS.IN ORDER TO HAVE BEST
CHANCE OF SUCCESSFUL RESCUE,AN EMERGENCY PLAN MUST BE IN PLACE.THE EMERGENCY PLAN SHOULD ASSURE
THAT:

 AN ADEQUATE NUMBER OF 30MIN SCBA WORK/RESCUE ARE AVAILABLE.

 EMERGENCY RESPONSE TRAINING IS CONDUCTED.
 THE BUDDY SYSTEM IS USED.
 PROVISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE.

A WELL THOUGHT OUT EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN IS NECESSARY BECAUSE AN IMPROPERLY EXECUTED RESCUE
ATTEMPT IS ALMOST OFTEN FATAL TO THE RESCUER.

BEFORE ATTEMPTING A RESCUE,SOUND THE ALARM SO THAT OTHER WORKERS ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.ONCE
THIS IS DONE,PROTECT YOURSELF BEFORE APPROACHING THE VICTIM BY DONNING 30MIN WORK/RESCUE
SCBA.REMOVE THE VICTIM TO FRESH AIR,ASAP,BEGIN ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION BY MOUTH TO MOUTH OR OXYGEN
RESUSCITATOR.THE LATTER IS THE PREFERRED METHOD SINCE IT REDUCES THE POTENTIAL FOR EXPOSURE TO
BLOODBORNE PATHOGENS AND DELIVERS 100%OXYGEN TO VICTIM.SPECIAL TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO USE OXYGEN
RESUSCITATOR.IF NO PULSE IS DETECTED AFTER ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION IS INITIATED,CPR MUST BE ADMINISTERED
IMMEDIATELY-NEVER PERFORM CHEST COMPRESSIONS IF THE VICTIM HAS A PULSE.IF YOU BEGIN ARTIFICIAL
RESPIRATION WITHIN THREE MINUTES AFTER THE VISTIM IS OVERCOME,THEY SHOULD HAVE A PULSE AND THE
CHANCES ARE VERY GOOD THEY WILL FULLY RECOVER FROM THE EXPOSURE.THE LONGER THE RESCUE TAKES,THE
GREATER THE CHANCES THE VICTIM WILL SUFFER PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE OR DEATH.WHEN ,A VICTIM OF H2S
POISIONING REGAINS CONSCIOUSNESS THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE VERY NAUSEOUS,IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO ASSIST
THEM IN MAINTAINING THEIR AIRWAY FREE OF VOMIT.

ANYONE WHO LOOSES CONSCIOUSNESS OR EXPERIENCES PROLONGED IRRITATION AS A RESULT OF H2S SHOULD BE
EVALUATED BY A PHYSICIAN IN ORDER TO DETECT AND TREAT ANY DELAYED HEALTH PROBLEMS,SUCH AS
PULMONARY EDEMA.

CONCLUSION

IN MOST CASES IT IS NOT A HAZARDOUS WELL OR PLANT OPERATION THAT LEADS TO H2S EXPOSURE AND WORKER
DEATH.THESE DANGEROUS PROCEDURES WHICH RESULT IN HIGH RELEASE OF H2S ARE USUALLY ANTICIPATED AND
CONTINGENCY PLANS ARE WELL LAID OUT.MANY MORE DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED DURING ROUTINE UNPLANNED
TASKS SUCH AS TANK CHECKING,ENTERING AND CLEANING.OTHER HAZARDOUS LOCATIONS INCLUDE PRELOAD
TANKS,SPUD CANS,AND COLUMNS ON SEMIS OR SUBMERSIBLE RIGS.

NO MATTER WHAT THE LOCATION ANTICIPATED A HAZARDOUS H2S ENVIRONMENT AND PLAN FOR IT.

H2S IS A VERY SERIOUS HAZARD,WHICH REQUIRE RIGOROUS TRAINING ,PERIODIC DRILLS,PRE PLANNING,AND SPECIAL
WORK PRECAUTIONS.IF YOU USE THE INFORMATION PRESENTED IN THIS PROGRAMME AND CAREFULLY FOLLOW YOUR
COMPANY’S SAFETY REQUIREMENTS,YOU CAN HELP PREVENT THE ASSOCIATED HAZARDS OF H2S AND ENJOY A
LONG ,SAFE CAREER IN THE OIL AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES.

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