H2S Awareness Rev3

H2S AwarenessH2S Awareness

IntroductionIntroduction

At higher concentrations H2S can

deaden your sense of smell.

At higher concentrations H2S can

deaden your sense of smell.

Hydrogen Sulfide is an extremely toxic gas that is colorless, flammable, heavier than air, soluble in water, and has the smell of rotten eggs at lower concentrations.

Hydrogen Sulfide is an extremely toxic gas that is colorless, flammable, heavier than air, soluble in water, and has the smell of rotten eggs at lower concentrations.

H2S


How Is Hydrogen Sulfide Formed? How Is Hydrogen Sulfide Formed?

• Dark damp places where bacteria is present.• Dark damp places where bacteria is present.

Hydrogen Sulfide is generated as a common by-product of industrial and manufacturing processes.

Hydrogen Sulfide is generated as a common by-product of industrial and manufacturing processes.

Hydrogen Sulfide is formed under low oxygen conditions when sufficient amounts of sulfur and bacteria are present. H2S can be formed in many places such as:

Hydrogen Sulfide is formed under low oxygen conditions when sufficient amounts of sulfur and bacteria are present. H2S can be formed in many places such as:

• Oil and gas reservoirs.• Oil and gas reservoirs.

• Sewers and sewage processing facilities.• Sewers and sewage processing facilities.

H2S is a by-product formed when organic matter decays.H2S is a by-product formed when organic matter decays.


Where Is Hydrogen Sulfide Found? Where Is Hydrogen Sulfide Found?

Heater TreatersHeater Treaters

Hydrogen Sulfide can be found almost anywhere that oil, water, and gas are produced.

Hydrogen Sulfide can be found almost anywhere that oil, water, and gas are produced.

Examples are:Examples are:

Production SeparatorsProduction Separators

Pits, Cellars or Sewers.Pits, Cellars or Sewers.

Water Knock-OutsWater Knock-Outs

Sulfur Removal SystemsSulfur Removal Systems

Vapor Recovery UnitsVapor Recovery Units

Flotation CellsFlotation Cells

Wellheads or TanksWellheads or Tanks


What are the Health Hazards of H2S?What are the Health Hazards of H2S?

H2S will enter through the lungs and is

considered a chemical asphyxiate.

H2S will enter through the lungs and is

considered a chemical asphyxiate.

Hydrogen Sulfide can have an array of health effects on the body depending on exposure concentrations.

Hydrogen Sulfide can have an array of health effects on the body depending on exposure concentrations.

It blocks the transfer of oxygen to the blood cells and causes paralysis of the respiratory system.

It blocks the transfer of oxygen to the blood cells and causes paralysis of the respiratory system.


Exposure LimitsExposure Limits

Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 100 ppmImmediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 100 ppm

Here are the Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

exposure limits.

Here are the Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

exposure limits.

Permissible Exposure Limit: 10 ppm for an 8-hr period avg.Permissible Exposure Limit: 10 ppm for an 8-hr period avg.

Short Term Exposure Limit: 15 ppm for a 15-minute avg.Short Term Exposure Limit: 15 ppm for a 15-minute avg.


Concentration Levels & EffectsConcentration Levels & Effects

The following table below lists the health effects of exposure to H2S.The following table below lists the health effects of exposure to H2S.

Concentration Health Effects10 ppm Beginning eye irritation

50-100 ppm Slight respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour exposure.

100 ppm Coughing, eye irritation, loss of sense of smell after 2-15 minutes. Altered respiration, pain in the eyes, and drowsiness after 15-30 minutes followed by throat irritation after 1 hour. Several hours exposure results in gradual increase in severity of these symptoms and death may occur within the next 48 hours

200-300 ppm Severe respiratory tract irritation after 1 hour of exposure. Possible pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs).

500-700 ppm Loss of consciousness and possibly death in 30 minutes to 1 hour.

700-1,000 ppm Rapid unconsciousness, loss of respiration, and death after 1-3 minutes.

1,000-2,000ppm Unconsciousness at once, loss of respiration and death in a few minutes. Death may occur even if individual is removed to fresh air at once.


MonitoringMonitoring

A variety of equipment can be used to do this:A variety of equipment can be used to do this:

As mentioned, one of Hydrogen Sulfide's effects on the body is it deadens the sense of smell at fairly low concentrations.

As mentioned, one of Hydrogen Sulfide's effects on the body is it deadens the sense of smell at fairly low concentrations.

This can cause a false sense of security and therefore we must use air monitoring equipment to detect H2S.

This can cause a false sense of security and therefore we must use air monitoring equipment to detect H2S.

Portable monitors that can be hand held or attached to yourself.Portable monitors that can be hand held or attached to yourself.

Fixed monitors can be located where contamination is possible.Fixed monitors can be located where contamination is possible.

Alarms to alert personnel when H2S levels exceed

permissible exposure limits.

Alarms to alert personnel when H2S levels exceed

permissible exposure limits.


When Do We Monitor?When Do We Monitor?

Examples of when air monitoring shall be performed are:Examples of when air monitoring shall be performed are:

Air monitoring should be done anytime there is a potential for someone to be exposed over the PEL of H2S. Air monitoring should be done anytime there is a potential for someone to be exposed over the PEL of H2S.

• Any time there is a potential to be exposed over the PEL.• Any time there is a potential to be exposed over the PEL.

• At all times when working around H2S concentrations• At all times when working around H2S concentrations

• During all confined space entries.• During all confined space entries.

• When gauging tanks.• When gauging tanks.


Escape Guidelines:Escape Guidelines:

• Never go directly upwind (you may be running into the source).

• Never go directly upwind (you may be running into the source).

Should a release occur here are some escape guidelines you must follow.Should a release occur here are some escape guidelines you must follow.

• Know the alarm systems.• Know the alarm systems.

• Know where the potential sources for H2S are located.• Know where the potential sources for H2S are located.

• Know the wind direction at all times.• Know the wind direction at all times.

• Escape by getting upwind to a higher elevation (if possible) from the source.

• Escape by getting upwind to a higher elevation (if possible) from the source.

• When escaping, always go cross wind and around the source.

• When escaping, always go cross wind and around the source.


Summary:Summary:

Take H2S seriously… follow all safe guidelines and

standards. Remember; always ask a supervisor if unsure

Take H2S seriously… follow all safe guidelines and

standards. Remember; always ask a supervisor if unsure

Hydrogen Sulfide is deadly, especially when you don’t understand or respect its dangers.Hydrogen Sulfide is deadly, especially when you don’t understand or respect its dangers.

It’s a matter of life or death.It’s a matter of life or death.


Quiz:Quiz:

Short exposure to 100ppm hydrogen sulfide will cause immediate death. Short exposure to 100ppm hydrogen sulfide will cause immediate death.

FalseFalse


Quiz:Quiz:

Hydrogen sulfide is invisible, flammable, explosive and deadly. Hydrogen sulfide is invisible, flammable, explosive and deadly.

TrueTrue


Quiz:Quiz:

When a hydrogen sulfide emergency occurs, rescue any victims first, then protect yourself. When a hydrogen sulfide emergency occurs, rescue any victims first, then protect yourself.

FalseFalse


Quiz:Quiz:

Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air, so it collects in low-lying areas.Hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air, so it collects in low-lying areas.

TrueTrue


Quiz:Quiz:

You do not need to worry about H2S unless you detect a rotten-egg odor.You do not need to worry about H2S unless you detect a rotten-egg odor.

FalseFalse


Quiz:Quiz:

Emergency escape units can be used to enter and work in H2S environments.Emergency escape units can be used to enter and work in H2S environments.

FalseFalse


Quiz:Quiz:

To avoid exposure to H2S, you should remain “wind conscious”.To avoid exposure to H2S, you should remain “wind conscious”.

TrueTrue


Quiz:Quiz:

Your breathing apparatus should always be positive-pressure, never air-purifying.Your breathing apparatus should always be positive-pressure, never air-purifying.

TrueTrue


Quiz:Quiz:

After you’ve been trained to use respiratory protection, you won’t have to worry about additional training.After you’ve been trained to use respiratory protection, you won’t have to worry about additional training.

FalseFalse


Quiz:Quiz:

If you suspect H2S is present in your work area, you should move immediately downwind away from the area.If you suspect H2S is present in your work area, you should move immediately downwind away from the area.

FalseFalse

Documents

H2S Awareness Rev3