Basic H2S Training

AIM & OBJECTIVE

The aims and objectives of the training are to ensure that the delegate:

1. Gains the required knowledge and understanding of the particular

hazards and properties of H2S,

2. Appropriate emergency response actions to take should a H2S related

incident arise.
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

To successfully complete this training delegates must able to explain:

(1) Hydrogen sulphide – how it is formed and where it is found
(2) Other names used to describe H2S
(3) Properties and characteristics of H2S
(4) Parts per million (ppm) as a measurement parameter
(5) Occupational exposure limits to H2S
(6) Factors affecting individual susceptibility to H2S
(7) Types of detector equipment
(8) Types of respiratory equipment
(9) Pre-use checks of personal detection devices and EBA
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

To successfully complete this training delegates must able to demonstrate:

(10) Operating personal H2S detection equipment (including checks)
(11) Responding to an alarm
(12) Donning & operating (including checks) an escape breathing apparatus
(EBA) with a mask within 30 seconds
(13) Donning & operating (including checks) an EBA with a hood within 30
seconds
(14) Connecting to a pressurised cascade breathing system with an activated EBA
which has been donned correctly
(15) Disconnecting from a pressurised cascade breathing system with an
activated EBA which has been donned correctly.
 ASSESSMENT METHODS

Practical:
Explanations and demonstrations by Training Staff
Practice by Delegates
Demonstration by Delegates (Assessment by direct Observation)

Written Assessment:
Delegates will be given a 30 minute written exam on completion of the
training.
 DURATION & STAFF ROLES

DURATION OF THE TRAINING PROGRAMME

The optimum contact time (including a refreshment break) is seen as 4 hours.

ROLES OF STAFF
Explain and facilitate understanding of slide presentation.
To familiarise personnel with the correct use of different types of Emergency
Breathing Apparatus (EBA) and detector.

Assessment
 HOW IS HYDROGEN SULFIDE FORMED?

• H2S is a formed by the decomposition of organic materials rich in Sulphur

by bacteria in the absence of air

• During the formation of Oil and gas H2S is simultaneously formed.

• H2S is generated as a common by product of industrial and manufacturing
process

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 1.1.1 WHERE IS HYDROGEN SULFIDE FOUND?

Process platform /Refineries Dredging operation Geothermal Environment

Sewer and sewage Leather Tanning Industry /

Underground mining. treatment facilities Sugar / Paper pulp Mills
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 1.1.1 H2S COMMON NAMES

• Sewer Gas

• Swamp Gas (Marshy area)

• Sour Gas

• Stink Damp (mines)

• Rotten egg gas

• Sulfuretted Hydrogen

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1.1.2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES &CHARACTERISTICS OF H2S

H2 S blocks O2 from bonding to RBC

causing O2 Deprivation

H2 S is also transported to the CNS by

RBC. H2 S paralyze CNS.
CNS cannot give inputs to respiratory
system. Person stops breathing.
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1.1.2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES &CHARACTERISTICS OF H2S

Poor Warning Characteristics

Color less Rotten egg smell at low Paralysis Olfactory Nerve at

concentration Higher Concentration

Never rely on your nose for detecting H2S. Always use Personal Detector
while working in H2S classified area.

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.1.2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES & CHARACTERISTICS OF H2S

o H2 S + H2 O H2SO4
(eye / nose / throat irritation)
o Soluble in water, sludge, drilling fluids,
when temperature increases, pressure
increases or agitated it get back to gaseous
form

• H2S can become soluble in drilling fluid

and can come up without being detected.

• The gas can be released from mud

o Temperature change
o Pressure change
o Agitation by Shale shaker, degassers, or
mud pits
o Ph change
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.1.2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES & CHARACTERISTICS OF H2S

Air
H2S
1.0 1.189
Heavier than Air
Dispersed by wind Temperature Pressure

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1.1.2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES & CHARACTERISTICS OF H2S
H2S can cause serious damage to metal used in the drilling and production, as
well as the seals used to keep the fluids and pressure within the system

o H2S + H2O H2SO4 (acidic environment)

Corrode and Pits metal

o H2S + Metal Metal Sulphide Sulfide Stressed Cracking

O2

When Pyrophoric Iron Sulphide particles are exposed to air, they are oxidized back to
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irono oxide generating
H2S + FeO a considerable amount of heat.
1.2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF H

Gasket, rubber, plastic

• Stringent Planned Preventative Maintenance

• Use of Corrosion resistant Alloy (SS with 31% Ni, 27 %
Cr)
• Crew Trained for identifying, reporting defects / hazards
Think what H2S can do to our lungs??
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.1.2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES & CHARACTERISTICS OF H2S

LEL 4.3% UEL 46%.

Burns with Blue flame Low LEL (less room for error)
H2S +O2 SO2 Explosive at autoignition temperature (2600C or 5000F)

Hot work Continuous ventilation / monitoring of H2S

PTW 16
1.1.3 PARTS PER MILLION (PPM) MEASUREMENT PARAMETER

Common units of measurements of gas percentage and PPM.

Parts or units of gas present in one million units of air.

1% =10,000 PPM. (1 million divided by 100)

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.3 OCCUPATIONAL/WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS (OEL/WE

Occupational Exposure Limit is an upper limit on the acceptable concentration of a

hazardous substance in workplace air for a particular material

OEL are set by competent national authorities and enforced by legislation to protect
occupational safety and health.

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 1.1.3 COMMON DEFINITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH H2S
OCCUPATIONAL/WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS (OEL/WEL)

Long Term Exposure Limit (LTEL) which is the maximum exposure

permitted over an 8-hour period.

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun

8hrs. 8hrs. 8hrs. 8hrs. 8hrs.

OEL / WEL Conc. of H2S

Long Term Exposure Limit (LTEL) 10 PPM

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.3 OCCUPATIONAL/WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS (OEL/WE

Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is the maximum exposure

permitted over a 15-minute reference period.

15 min 1 hr. 15 min 1 hr. 15 min 1 hr. 15 min

OEL / WEL Conc. of H2S

Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) 15 PPM

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1.3 OCCUPATIONAL/WORKPLACE EXPOSURE LIMITS (OEL/WE

Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH)

The exposure at which hazard, such as a toxic gas, poses an immediate threat
to health or life, would cause irreversible adverse health affects, or would
interfere with your ability to escape a confined such environment / space
unaided.

For H2S IDLH is100 PPM

1.1.4 Measurement and the OEL/WEL of H2S

OEL / WEL Conc. of H2S
Long Term Exposure Limit (LTEL) 10
Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) 15
Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH) 100

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1.1.5 THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO H2S

Primary Route of Entry is by INHALATION

Exposure Duration (HOW LONG?)

Exposure Concentration (HOW MUCH?) Age Physical Drug/Alcohol
Condition Compatibility
Frequency (HOW MANY TIMES?)
Individual Susceptibility (IMMUNE SYSTEM)
Body mass Smoker
/Non-Smoker
People with chronic lung disease may suffer those effects at a lower PPM.
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1.1.5 THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO H2S

If you experience physical symptoms, leave the area immediately, quickly get
upwind and report it.
Buddy System ?
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1.1.6 HOW H2S IS DETECTED AND THE USE OF ONSITE
& PERSONAL DETECTION EQUIPMENT
Never Rely on your nose for detecting H2S

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1.1.6 HOW H2S IS DETECTED AND THE USE OF ONSITE
& PERSONAL DETECTION EQUIPMENT

DIFFERENT TYPES OF DETECTORS ARE USED IN INDUSTRY

Fixed Detectors Portable Detectors Personal Detectors

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 1.1.6 HOW H2S IS DETECTED AND THE USE OF ONSITE
& PERSONAL DETECTION EQUIPMENT

Fixed Detectors
Chosen location: based on the Risk assessment Potential area
o where people are likely to be present
o where H2S is likely to be released.

o where H2S can collect

Continuous monitoring
Connected to Central Control Panel located in ECC.
Alert the crew, specify the location.

Low Alarm
High Alarm
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1.1.6 HOW H2S IS DETECTED AND THE USE OF ONSITE
& PERSONAL DETECTION EQUIPMENT

Portable Detectors

Multi readings:
H2S, Oxygen, CO & LEL

Used for Gas testing Purpose

Used by Authorized personnel

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1.1.6 HOW H2S IS DETECTED AND THE USE OF ONSITE
& PERSONAL DETECTION EQUIPMENT
Personal Detectors
• Mandatory for entering in the H2S classified zone.
• Used to ALERT the individual worker.
Ensure
oCorrect unit versus hazard
oBattery Test
oFunction self-test
oBump test
oWearing position

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1.1.7 ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN THE EVENT OF AN ALARM
On hearing the alarm:
Take immediate action as time is of the essence when dealing with exposure to H 2S

Hold your Breath

STOP No Inhalation Don EBA. Upwind
WORK No Exhalation Proceed to muster station Escape route

• Essential personnel to perform their duties as per the station bill.

• Non essential personnel shall make the way to muster station.

• Report the causality or person left behind if you have seen any.
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 1.1.8 THE TYPES OF RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT AND
THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRECT FIT OF THE FACE
MASK

Common problems with respirator use and getting a correct

fit.

• Facial hair

• Corrective Spectacles

• Contact lenses

• Psychological Disturbances (Claustrophobia)

• Sealing Problems (scars, hollow temples, very prominent

cheekbone, deep scar creases, lack of teeth or denture.)
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 1.1.8 THE TYPES OF RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT

Escape Unit Escape / Working Unit Rescue /Working Unit

• Designed to be quickly and easily donned in an emergency

• Not be used to effect a rescue or to accomplish any task
• Only for escape from hazardous zone.

Air Purifying Respirator (APR)

Chemical Cartridge Respirators

Protection against contaminants in the air for
10-15 minutes

Never use this unit to approach a hazardous zone.

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 1.1.8 THE TYPES OF RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT

Escape Breathing Apparatus

(EBA)
Duration: 15 minutes
Only for Emergency Escape

EBA with Hood

EBA with Mask Connect EBA with air cascade system

and close EBS cylinder valve.32
 1.1.8 THE TYPES OF RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT

Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus (SABA)

Buddy
System

Supervised Barricad
e 33
 1.1.8 THE TYPES OF RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT

Rescue Unit / Working Unit

Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)

Used for Rescue / prolonged activities

Duration: 30 Minutes / 45 Minutes / 60 Minutes
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 1.1.9 THE ROLE OF RESPONSE TEAMS IN AN H2S
EMERGENCY AND USE OF SCBA.
RESCUE WILL BE COMPLETED BY THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

OR OR

NEVER ATTEMPT A RESCUE IN AN AREA THAT MAY CONTAIN HYDROGEN

SULFIDE WITHOUT USING APPROPRIATE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION AND
WITHOUT BEING TRAINED TO PERFORM SUCH A RESCUE.

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 SUMMARY

Highly toxic Colourless Rotten egg smell at Flammable

low concentration Auto ignition 500 0F

Air
H2S

Corrosive Soluble in water / Heavier than Air Dispersed by wind

drilling fluids Pressure
Temperature
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 H2S EXPOSURE PROTECTION TIPS

H2S classified zones

Gas test

SSOW Identify Source of Danger Ventilation Drills

Safety Equipment Location
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10 MINUTES COFFEE BREAK

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 FOLLOWING EXPLANATION AND DEMONSTRATE BY
TRAINING STAFF, DELEGATES TO PRACTICE AND
DEMONSTRATE

1.1.10 H2S personal detection equipment – pre-use checks & operation

1.1.11 Responding to an alarm
1.1.12 EBA fitted with a mask – pre-use checks & operation
1.1.13 EBA fitted with a hood – pre-use checks & operation
1.1.14 Method of connection to a pressurised cascade air supply with an
activated EBA which has been donned correctly
1.1.15 Method of disconnection from a pressurised cascade air supply with
an activated EBA which has been donned correctly.

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30 SECOND TIMER

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