Hydrogen Sulfide

PPT-SM-H2S 2017

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an invisible hazard that can be released and produced during industry processes, such as drilling.

H2S can also develop naturally in oxygen deficient environments, such as bogs,

swamps, polluted water, and manure pits.

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H2S can collect in: Low-lying areas Any enclosed facility or piping that contains

H2S or H2S-contaminated fluids Pits Tanks Vacuum trucks Confined spaces

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At high concentrations, H2S can kill in a single breath.

PPT-SM-H2S 2017

Multiple agencies provide guidelines to help workers avoid H2S exposure, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

ANSI recently updated its Z-390 standard for Accepted Practices for Hydrogen Sulfide

Safety Training Programs.

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The 2006 version of the ANSI Z-390 standard was revised to address:

References to obsolete technologyNon-flexible presentation formatRequired presentation of material that wasn’t pertinent to most workersStructure of documentVisitor trainingRefresher trainingThreshold limit value –time-weighted average (TLV-TWA)

PPT-SM-H2S 2017

The updated 2017 version of the ANSI Z-390 standard now:

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References updated technologyHas flexible structure open to partial remote instructionStates that students must be presented with relevant information to ensure their safetyHas an improved structureStates that visitors must receive full worker training programRequires refresher training annually with full course presentation

Includes the updated American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) TLV-TWA

PPT-SM-H2S 2017

Companies must use engineering and administrative controls to protect workers from H2S exposure and provide workers with training appropriate to their potential level of exposure to H2S.

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Some examples of what training should cover include:Wind direction awareness and routes of

egressWhat to do in an emergency Participating in drills

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H2S goes by many names, including The Silent Killer, rotten egg gas, swamp gas, and sour gas.

Characteristics of H2S include: Highly toxic, colorless gas Extremely flammable, may ignite at high

temperatures Extremely explosive, containers of H2S may

explode if exposed to fire or handled carelessly

PPT-SM-H2S 2017

You can only smell low concentrations of H2S.

At high concentrations, H2S impairs and eventually wipes out your sense of smell. Do not use your nose to detect H2S.

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You can be exposed to H2S through: InhalationSkin contact

Inhalation is your main concern.

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Symptoms of H2S exposure include:

Acute Toxicity Chronic Toxicity• Loss of sense of smell• Excitement or giddiness• Eye irritation• Coughing and sneezing• Headaches• Nausea• Respiratory tract irritation• Diarrhea

• Eye irritation • Corneal blistering, pitting, and

opacity• Headaches• Nausea• Respiratory tract irritation• Pulmonary edema• Loss of appetite • Sleep disturbances

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The industry accepted exposure level for H2S is 10 ppm: Check with your company for its accepted

exposure level

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If the H2S 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

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Wind conditions tell you which way H2S will spread: Check the windsock or streamer regularly

and any time you are unsure which way the wind is blowing

Stay on the upwind sideMake sure you are not downwind of an H2S

source Always move crosswind and then

upwind to get away from an H2S source

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ANSI and the American Petroleum Institute (API) recommend wearing one of the following respiratorswhen you work in environments with more than 10 ppm H2S: Positive-pressure full-facepiece hoseline/airline

supplied-air respirator (SAR) and carry an escape pack

Positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

PPT-SM-H2S 2017

H2S is a deadly hazard that can kill you in a single breath. Know your role in your company’s H2S contingency plan and participate in drills.

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Do not rely on your sense of smell to detect the presence of H2S.

Always wear a personal monitor when working in potential H2S environments. If your monitor goes off, leave the area immediately.

Copyright © 2016 by PEC/Premier Safety Operations, LLC

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Sign and date this quiz sheet. Circle the letter representing the correct answer to each quiz question below.

Name:©

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QUIZ-SM-Hydrogen SUlfIdeJUne 2017

Date:

1. ______________ can develop naturally in oxygen deficient environments, such as bogs, swamps, polluted water, and manure pits.

A. BenzeneB. Hydrogen sulfideC. AsbestosD. Silica

2. H2S can _______________ in low-lying areas.

A. CollectB. DisperseC. DissolveD. Not collect

3. At high concentrations, H2S can kill _______________.

A. In a single breathB. Very slowlyC. Over a period of daysD. Years after exposure

4. _______________ recently updated its Z-390 standard for Accepted Practices for Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training Programs.

A. OSHAB. NIOSHC. BSEED. ANSI

5. _______________ use your nose to detect H

2S.A. AlwaysB. Do notC. SometimesD. Regularly

6. For exposure to H2S, ________________ is your main concern.

A. Skin contactB. InhalationC. AbsorptionD. Injection

7. The industry accepted exposure level for H2S is ________________.

A. 50 ppmB. 100 ppmC. 25 ppmD. 10 ppm

8. If the H2S concentration may exceed 10 ppm, you need to wear _______________.

A. A hard hatB. A personal monitorC. Safety glassesD. Hearing protection

9. If your monitor goes off, ________________.

A. Ignore itB. Investigate to find out whyC. Leave the area

immediatelyD. Call your supervisor

10. ________________ tell you which way H2S will spread.

A. Wind conditionsB. Your sensesC. Your coworkersD. Warning signs

Hydr

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Safety Meeting Answer Keys: Hydrogen Sulfide Instructors: The following key shows the answers for the Hydrogen Sulfide safety meeting quiz.

© 2017 PEC

Safety, Inc.

Key-SM-Hydrogen SUlfIdeJUne 2017

1. B

2. A

3. A

4. D

5. B

6. B

7. D

8. B

9. C

10. A

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Hydrogen Sulfide

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