Hydrogen Sulfide, The Silent Killer

HYDROGEN SULPHIDE
TRAINING
Accelerated H2S
No. HS-002

Welcome to Accelerated H2S. This course was designed to provide you with
the essential, basic tools and knowledge needed to work around Hydrogen
Sulfide safely. We will review characteristics, properties, health effects, and
many other subjects regarding this extremely poisonous gas which has been
labeled the leading cause of death within the Petro-Chemical Industry.
Introduction
What is H2S?
Where is H2S found?
What are the Properties of H2S?
How do I detect H2S?
How do I protect myself from H2S?
What are effects of H2S?
What are Procedures for Rescue?
How do I respond to an H2S Alarm?
What are the Proper Safety Measures?
On this course we will learn:
Course will be delivered on a classroom theory to allow for total
integration of competence, knowledge, thinking skills, and
correct procedures.

A short film will be showed titled H2S Safety (A Matter of Life or
Death)

Practical/hands on training will be done at the end of course for
skill assessment for individual trainee.


Course Delivery:
Highly toxic and colourless gas - very dangerous
Belongs to the inorganic sulphide family
Consists of 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 sulphur atom
Known by many names, including:

Stink damp
Rotten-egg gas
Sulphurated hydrogen
Hydrosulphuric acid


Sour crude / Sour Gas
Sulphur hydride
Swamp gas
Sewer gas
Sources of H
2
S
Natural Sources

Produced in nature by decomposition of organic materials
by bacteria

May develop in low oxygen areas - swamps, polluted water

Can be found in unstabilised crude oil and gas streams
Industrial Sources

A product or by-product of waste material:

As a by-product, often recovered and
converted to elemental sulphur/sulphuric
acid

As a waste material, often flared or
disposed of by burning
Drilling and Well Service operations:

1. Rig Floor
2. Bell Nipple
3. Mud Pits
4. Shale Shakers

Production Operations:

1. Test Separator
2. Choke Manifold
3. Well Head
4. Heater
COMMON LOCATIONS WHERE H2S MIGHT BE
PRESENT ON DRILLING OPERATIONS:
Plant Operations:

1. Inlet Separators
2. Sweetening Processor
3. Storage Tanks
4. Process Vessels

Transportation:

1. Metering Stations
2. Receiving Stations
3. Compressor Buildings
4. Transport Tanks

Color: H2S is colorless so its invisible.

Odor: H2S has a very distinctive offensive odor similar to rotten eggs.

Vapor Density: Hydrogen Sulphide is heavier than air so it builds up in low lying
areas like pits, cellars, or tanks.

Explosive Limits: Mixed with the right proportion of air or oxygen which is 4.3%
to 46% by volume air H2S will explode.

Flammability: When H2S is burned it produces Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) another
hazardous gas that irritates the eyes and lungs.

Solubility (In Water): H2S can be dissolved in liquids. When the liquid H2S is
dissolved in is agitated, depressurized, or heated, it will
return to the form of a gas.

Boiling Point: Dissolved in liquids; H2S boils at a very low temperature (60 C.). If
merely agitating the liquid can release the H2S back into a gas,
then the boiling point temperature is going to be very low.

.005 -0.13 ppm : Minimal perceptible odour
4.60 ppm : Easily detectable, moderate odour
5 ppm : TLV / TWA in the UK
10 ppm : Beginning eye irritation
( STEL in the UK )( TLV / TWA / PEL ) in
the USA
15 ppm : ( STEL in the USA )
27.0 ppm : Strong, unpleasant odour, but not
intolerable
100 ppm : Coughing, eye irritation, loss of sense of smell after
two to five minutes (IDLH)
200300 ppm : Marked conjunctivitis (eye Inflammation) and
respiratory tract irritation after one hour of exposure
500700 ppm : Loss of consciousness and possible death in 30
minutes to one hour
7001,000 ppm : Rapid unconsciousness, cessation (stopping or
pausing) of respiration and death
1,0002,000 ppm : Unconsciousness at once, with early cessation of
respiration and death in a few minutes. Death may
occur even the individual is removed to fresh air at
once
1% = 10,000 ppm
Percent (%) = Percent of gas by volume air.
Parts Per Million (PPM) = Parts of gas per million parts of air by volume
Acceptable Exposure Limits
TWA / TLV / PEL 10 PPM
STEL 15 PPM
TLV C - 50 PPM
IDLH 100 PPM

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) will form when burning (flaring) H2S.
This gas, although colorless, can be identified by its
characteristic pungent odour. SO2 is so intensely irritating
that concentrations of three to five parts per million (ppm)
are readily detectable by the normal person.
Physical Properties of SO2:

Colourless
Heavier than air
Suffocating odor similar to burnt match tips.
Soluble in water/ liquids
Will not support combustion. (non flammable)
Permissible Exposure Limit(PEL); 2ppm
Lethal at 1000ppm
NOTE: When H2S is flared or burned off, only 80% is burnt and 20% is left
as H2S. It produces SO2, CO, CO2 and Oxides of Nitrogen. SO2 being the major
by-product of burning cannot be burned for it is already a product of
combustion.
WARNING: YOU CANNOT RELY ON YOUR SENSE OF SMELL TO DETECT HYDROGEN SULFIDE.
To properly detect the amount of toxic gas (H2S), one of
the following methods must be used.

1. Lead Acetate, Ampoules of Coated Strips

2. Electronic Portable Detectors

3. Air Sampling Gas Detector Tubes

4. Fixed Electronic H2S Sensors
LOW ALARM SETTING 10 PPM
YELLOW/AMBER LIGHT FLASHING

HIGH ALARM SETTING 15/20 PPM
YELLOW/AMBER LIGHT FLASHING WITH
AUDIBLE ALARM

sample
Two Common Types of Breathing Apparatus
a) Self Contained Breathing Apparatus
This type of apparatus provides air from a cylinder
worn on the back. A commonly used cylinder will
supply air for 30 minutes. Other cylinders are
available for longer or shorter durations.
b) Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus
This is a variation of the self-contained
apparatus. When the back mounted
cylinder is replaced by a cascade cylinder
connected by a hose line to the Demand valve
on the wears body. While the Supplied air
unit is lighter to wear, it restricts Movement
to the length of hose.
***Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus. The breathing apparatus was
designed with one purpose in mind, EMERGENCY ESCAPE USE ONLY. It
takes only seconds to don, it has no belts, no straps to adjust, no face-piece
valves to turn on. Duration can be five, ten or fifteen minutes.
GENERIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR PUTTING SCBA AND SABA
STEP 1: Open the SCBA box.
STEP 2: Check the gauge, making sure that the SCBA is fully
charge.
STEP 3: Put on the SCBA Harness and tighten all lose ends and
straps.
STEP 4: Open the cylinder valve while placing the facemask near
your face.
STEP 5: Don the facemask, tighten the head strap by starting
from lower temple all the way up until all ends are tight
and secure
STEP 6: Take a deep breathe to active the first breathe
mechanism.
STEP 7: Control your breathing and proceed to muster station.
Actual donning procedure will be showed on practical
Facial Hair Facial hair lying between the sealing surface of the respirator Face piece and
the wearers skin will prevent an effective seal. Even one days growth of
stubble will permit excessive contaminant penetration and/or loss of air.

Contact Lenses Contact lenses are a definite hazard and should not be worn while wearing
a respirator in a contaminated atmosphere.

Corrective Spectacles Corrective Spectacles with temple bars or straps that Interfere
with the respirator face seal should not be worn as they will
permit excessive contaminant penetration.

Psychological Disturbances Psychological disturbances, such as claustrophobia, are a definite
hazard to the wearer of a respirator.

Miscellaneous Sealing Problems Sealing problems vary according to the individual; some
are pronounced and others are not detected until a fit
test is performed. The more noticeable ones are scars,
hollow temples, very prominent cheek bones, deep skin
creases and the lack of teeth or dentures
FACIAL HAIR REQUIREMENTS
(Unacceptable)
FACIAL HAIR REQUIREMENTS
(Acceptable)
Duration- How long has the individual been exposed? Knowing the length of
time of the exposure will help emergency response personnel act
accordingly to counter the affects of the gas.

Frequency- How often is the individual exposed to H2S? You cannot build up
immunity to the gas. However, you can delay the seriousness of the
exposure if the body has experienced oxidizing the gas before. This will
change the seriousness of the duration of exposure.

Intensity- How much gas has the individual been exposed to? If the person is
immediately exposed to a high concentration of H2S the body will not
be able to respond quickly enough to counter the affects.

Individual Susceptibility- The persons physiological make up. How healthy are they?
Individuals who have a stronger immune system than others
will be able to resist the adverse affects of H2S for a longer
amount of time
NOTE: H2S AND ALCOHOL DO NOT MIX! Individuals who have
consumed alcohol within 24 hours of an exposure have been
overcome by unusually small amounts (low concentrations) of
H2S. When alcohol is in the blood stream the effects of H2S can
be intensified by as much as 50% based on the individuals
susceptibility.
1. Put on your full rescue unit (minimum 30-minute breathing
apparatus) before attempting a rescue or you too can become a
victim. Have Buddy. NEVER RESCUE SOMEBODY BY YOURSELF
2. Remove the victim immediately to fresh air.
3. If breathing, maintain the victim at rest and administer oxygen if
available.
4. If the victim is not breathing, start artificial respiration immediately.
5. Call for professional assistance to get the victim medical treatment.
6. Keep the victim lying down with a blanket, coat, etc. under
shoulders to keep airway passage open. Conserve the victims body
heat and do not leave unattended.
7. If eyes are affected by H2S, wash them thoroughly with clean
water, for slight eye irritation, cold compresses are helpful
1. When approaching the jobsite

Observe condition signs & audio / visual
alarms
Check for wind direction
Look for personnel & their activity
Enter the jobsite slowly

2. Minimum 2 defined alternate escape
routes

3. No Smoking regulations strictly
enforced

4. Continuous atmosphere monitoring or
detection equipment is required along with
an adequate audio / visual alarm system.
5. Strategically placed explosion proof
mechanical ventilators reduce H2S exposure.
6. An H2S awareness training program & drills

7. Use the Buddy System at all times

8. Avoid low lying areas.

9. Maintain & observe warning signs / barriers.

10. Post emergency numbers & maintain reliable communication systems.
13. Train on the type of breathing apparatus on your locations.

14. Know the location of your Muster Areas & your procedures.

11. Train on the type of breathing apparatus on your locations.

12. Know the location of your Muster Areas & your procedures.

1. Hold your breath
2. Move upwind or crosswind away from
the source of the leak
3. Don breathing apparatus & do not
attempt a rescue until you have donned
breathing apparatus
4. Help anyone in distress
5. Report to your emergency station

Upon hearing the alarm!!!
A major oil company drilled into a sour zone. The well blew, spewing H2S
over the surrounding area. Well could not be shut in and it finally ignited
fourteen days later. One week later, the blaze was finally extinguished.
Sixteen (16) men were over come by H2S. All workers had had breathing
apparatus on before the incident, but during an explosion, the breathing
apparatuses were blown off.

A thirty-five year old workman collapsed after descending into a fifteen
foot deep sewer to collect water samples. He encountered high
concentrations of H2S. His two rescuers also collapsed in attempting to
rescue him. There were no survivors.
Some History of H2S Accidents
Some History of H2S Accidents
continued.
Two men died when they inhaled poisonous gas fumes coming from a 500
gallon oilfield frac tank. One died as he fell into the tank and the other one
died as he went to the first man's rescue.

A forty-two (42) year old man and his seventeen (17) year old son became
unconscious while emptying a cesspool in their back yard. The man fell
unconscious and when he revived, attempted to move his unconscious
son. The father became unconscious again, and when revived by
neighbors, make a speedy recovery. His son was not as fortunate. He
never regain consciousness despite CPR attempts.

The H2S Accident in 2003 - China
Shenzhen, China- December of 2003. An estimated 191 people were killed
and many more injured after drillers punctured a highly pressurized store
of natural gas and Hydrogen Sulfide. The well exploded, spewing a mixture
of gas and toxic chemicals over 100ft. in the air and creating a poisonous
plume that spread over several square miles. A village close to the location
was devastated with 90 percent of the people and there families killed
during the release. A neighboring town had some 600 people inflicted
with poisoning and chemical burns. The incident was said to have occurred
from poor safety procedures and faulty rescue attempts.

If you have doubts, your questions are most welcome.

We will now view the H2S Training Video: A Matter of Life and Death

And we will have a short Quiz covering the information we discussed
today after the H2S video presentation.

Then we will move into BA Set and Hose line connection Hands on and
facemask fit testing.