Hydrogen Sulfide
Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is an invisible hazard that can be released and produced during industry processes, such as drilling. H 2 S can also develop naturally in oxygen deficient environments, such as bogs, swamps, polluted water, and manure pits. PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 2
H 2 S can collect in: Low-lying areas Any enclosed facility or piping that contains H 2 S or H 2 S-contaminated fluids Pits Tanks Vacuum trucks Confined spaces PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 3
At high concentrations, H 2 S can kill in a single breath. PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 4
Multiple agencies provide guidelines to help workers avoid H 2 S exposure, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI recently updated its Z-390 standard for Accepted Practices for Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training Programs. PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 5
The 2006 version of the ANSI Z-390 standard was revised to address: References to obsolete technology Non-flexible presentation format Required presentation of material that wasn t pertinent to most workers Structure of document Visitor training Refresher training Threshold limit value time-weighted average (TLV-TWA) PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 6
The updated 2017 version of the ANSI Z-390 standard now: References updated technology Has flexible structure open to partial remote instruction States that students must be presented with relevant information to ensure their safety Has an improved structure States that visitors must receive full worker training program Requires refresher training annually with full course presentation Includes the updated American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) TLV-TWA PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 7
Companies must use engineering and administrative controls to protect workers from H 2 S exposure and provide workers with training appropriate to their potential level of exposure to H 2 S. PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 8
Some examples of what training should cover include: Wind direction awareness and routes of egress What to do in an emergency Participating in drills PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 9
H 2 S goes by many names, including The Silent Killer, rotten egg gas, swamp gas, and sour gas. Characteristics of H 2 S include: Highly toxic, colorless gas Extremely flammable, may ignite at high temperatures Extremely explosive, containers of H 2 S may explode if exposed to fire or handled carelessly PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 10
You can only smell low concentrations of H 2 S. At high concentrations, H 2 S impairs and eventually wipes out your sense of smell. Do not use your nose to detect H 2 S. PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 11
You can be exposed to H 2 S through: Inhalation Skin contact Inhalation is your main concern. PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 12
Symptoms of H 2 S exposure include: Acute Toxicity Loss of sense of smell Excitement or giddiness Eye irritation Coughing and sneezing Headaches Nausea Respiratory tract irritation Diarrhea Chronic Toxicity Eye irritation Corneal blistering, pitting, and opacity Headaches Nausea Respiratory tract irritation Pulmonary edema Loss of appetite Sleep disturbances PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 13
The industry accepted exposure level for H 2 S is 10 ppm: Check with your company for its accepted exposure level PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 14
If the H 2 S concentration may exceed 10 ppm, you need to wear a personal monitor: Position the monitor as close to your mouth and nose as possible to measure air from the breathing zone If your monitor goes off, leave the area immediately PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 15
Wind conditions tell you which way H 2 S will spread: Check the windsock or streamer regularly and any time you are unsure which way the wind is blowing Stay on the upwind side Make sure you are not downwind of an H 2 S source Always move crosswind and then upwind to get away from an H 2 S source PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 16
ANSI and the American Petroleum Institute (API) recommend wearing one of the following respirators when you work in environments with more than 10 ppm H 2 S: Positive-pressure full-facepiece hoseline/airline supplied-air respirator (SAR) and carry an escape pack Positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 v2 17
H 2 S is a deadly hazard that can kill you in a single breath. Know your role in your company s H 2 S contingency plan and participate in drills. PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 18
Do not rely on your sense of smell to detect the presence of H 2 S. Always wear a personal monitor when working in potential H 2 S environments. If your monitor goes off, leave the area immediately. PPT-SM-H 2 S 2017 19
Copyright 2016 by PEC/Premier Safety Operations, LLC
Sign and date this quiz sheet. Circle the letter representing the correct answer to each quiz question below. Name: Date: Safety Meeting Quiz: Hydrogen Sulfide 2017 PEC Safety, Inc. Hydrogen Sulfide 1. can develop naturally in oxygen deficient environments, such as bogs, swamps, polluted water, and manure pits. A. Benzene B. Hydrogen sulfide C. Asbestos D. Silica 2. H 2 S can in low-lying areas. A. Collect B. Disperse C. Dissolve D. Not collect 3. At high concentrations, H 2 S can kill. A. In a single breath B. Very slowly C. Over a period of days D. Years after exposure 4. recently updated its Z-390 standard for Accepted Practices for Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training Programs. A. OSHA B. NIOSH C. BSEE D. ANSI 5. use your nose to detect H 2 S. A. Always B. Do not C. Sometimes D. Regularly 6. For exposure to H 2 S, is your main concern. A. Skin contact B. Inhalation C. Absorption D. Injection 7. The industry accepted exposure level for H 2 S is. A. 50 ppm B. 100 ppm C. 25 ppm D. 10 ppm 8. If the H 2 S concentration may exceed 10 ppm, you need to wear. A. A hard hat B. A personal monitor C. Safety glasses D. Hearing protection 9. If your monitor goes off,. A. Ignore it B. Investigate to find out why C. Leave the area immediately D. Call your supervisor 10. tell you which way H 2 S will spread. A. Wind conditions B. Your senses C. Your coworkers D. Warning signs QUIZ-SM-Hydrogen Sulfide JUNE 2017
Instructors: The following key shows the answers for the Hydrogen Sulfide safety meeting quiz. 1. B 2. A 3. A 4. D 5. B 6. B 7. D 8. B 9. C 10. A Safety Meeting Answer Keys: Hydrogen Sulfide 2017 PEC Safety, Inc. KEY-SM-Hydrogen Sulfide JUNE 2017
This is to certify that has successfully completed the PEC Safety Meeting Hydrogen Sulfide Instructor Date Awarded
STUDENT ROSTER INSTRUCTOR NAME SAFETY MEETING NAME SAFETY MEETING DATE COMPANY NAME Student Instructions: Print and sign your name. Also, provide your date of birth or the last four digits of your social security number. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. PRINT STUDENT NAME (CLEARLY) STUDENT SIGNATURE LAST 4 SSN or DOB 2014 PEC Safety, Inc. All rights reserved.