OIS-91

Basic H2S Training

 AIM & OBJECTIVE

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

1. Gains the required knowledge and understanding of the particular hazards and
properties of H2S,

2. Appropriate emergency response actions to take should a H 2S related incident

arise.

3. Understand and practice appropriate emergency response actions including the

use of detection and escape equipment.
 LEARNING OUTCOME

OIS-91-1.1 H2S gas, how it is formed, its common name and where it is ordinarily
found
OIS-91-1.2 The Physical Properties and characteristics of H2S
OIS-91-1.3 common definitions such as Parts per million (ppm) and Occupational
exposure limits OEL/ WEL of H2S
OIS-91-1.4 Measurement and the OEL / WEL of H2S
OIS-91-1.5 The physiological effects of exposure to H2S and factors affecting
individual susceptibility
OIS-91-1.6 How H2S is detected and the use of onsite & Personal detection
equipment
OIS-91-1.7 Actions to be taken in the event of an alarm
OIS-91-1.8 The type of equipment available including escape breathing
apparatus (EBA) & Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and the importance
of correct fit of the mask
OIS-91-1.9 The role of response teams in an H2S emergency and their use of
SCBA
 LEARNING OUTCOME

OIS-91-2.1 Operating personal H2S detection equipment (including checks)

OIS-91-2.2 Responding to an alarm
OIS-91-2.3 Donning & operating (including checks) an escape breathing
apparatus (EBA) with a mask within 30 seconds*
*To be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines for specific mask
types.
OIS-91-2.4 Donning & operating (including checks) an EBA with a hood within 30
seconds
OIS-91-2.5 Connecting to a pressurised cascade breathing system with an
activated EBA which has been donned correctly
OIS-91-2.6 Disconnecting from a pressurised cascade breathing system with an
activated EBA which has been donned correctly.
 ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment method:
All learning outcomes must be achieved
Practical Learning Outcome
Theory Learning Outcome Explanation and Demonstration by Training
Verbal or written questioning Staff
Group / Individual Discussion Practice by Learner
Scenarios Learner must Perform

Direct Observation, Oral Questioning

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.
 1.1 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 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 H2S COMMON NAMES

• Sewer Gas

• Swamp Gas (Marshy area)

• Sour Gas

• Stink Damp (mines)

• Rotten egg gas

• Silent Killer

• Sulfuretted Hydrogen

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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.

9
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 eyes and nose for detecting H2S. Always use your
Personal Detector and EBA while working in H2S classified area.

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1.2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES & CHARACTERISTICS OF H2S

H 2S + H 2O H2SO4
(eye / nose / throat irritation)

Soluble in water, sludge, drilling fluids, when temperature

increases, pressure increases or agitated it get back to
gaseous form

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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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1.2 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
o H2S + FeO
iron oxide generating a considerable amount of heat. 13
2 THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF H2

Gasket, rubber, plastic

Think what H2S can do to our lungs??

What can we do?

• Use of Corrosion resistant Alloy (SS with 31% Ni, 27 % Cr)
• Stringent Planned Preventative Maintenance

• Crew Trained for identifying, reporting defects / hazards

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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 15
 1.3 PARTS PER MILLION (PPM)

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/WEL

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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 1.4 MEASUREMENT AND THE OEL / WEL OF H2S
H2S
TIME Concentration

H2S H2S
TIME TIME
Concentration Concentration
8 Hours 10 PPM 15 Minutes 15 PPM

Long Term Exposure Limit (LTEL) Short Term Exposure Limit (STEL) is
which is the maximum exposure the maximum exposure permitted
permitted over an 8-hour period. over a 15-minute reference period.

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

1.5 THE PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO H2S

Exposure Duration (HOW LONG?)

Exposure Concentration (HOW MUCH?)
Frequency (HOW MANY TIMES?)
Individual Susceptibility (IMMUNE SYSTEM)

Age Physical Drug/Alcohol

Condition Compatibility

Body mass Smoker

/Non-Smoker
People with chronic lung disease may suffer those effects at a lower PPM.
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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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1.6 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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 1.6 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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 1.6 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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 1.6 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
oSelf Function Test
oBump test
oWearing position

Low Alarm Low beeps Corresponding to Long Term Exposure Limit

High Alarm High beeps Corresponding to Short Term Exposure Limit 24
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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 1.8 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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 1.8 THE TYPES OF RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT
Emergency Emergency
Air Purifying Respirator (APR) Breathing Breathing
Apparatus with Apparatus with
Hood) Mask)

Pigtail can be connected

Chemical Cartridge Respirators Compressed Air cylinder to air cascade system
Protection for 10-15 minutes Duration: 15 minutes
No Positive pressure. Positive pressure
Not suitable for O2 deficient Can be used in O2
atmosphere deficient environment
Cannot be connected to
Air cascadezone
Never use this unit to approach a hazardous system 27
/ accomplishing any task / rescuing
any casualty. .
 1.8 THE TYPES OF RESPIRATORY EQUIPMENT

Supplied Air Breathing Apparatus (SABA)

Buddy
System

Supervised Barricad
e 28
 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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 1.9 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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10 MINUTES COFFEE BREAK

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 FOLLOWING EXPLANATION AND DEMONSTRATE BY
TRAINING STAFF, LEARNERS TO PERFORM

2.1 Operating personal H2S detection equipment (including checks)

2.2 Responding to an alarm
2.3 Donning & operating (including checks) an escape breathing apparatus (EBA)
with a mask within 30 seconds*
*To be conducted in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines for specific
mask types.
2.4 Donning & operating (including checks) an EBA with a hood within 30
seconds
2.5 Connecting to a pressurised cascade breathing system with an activated EBA
which has been donned correctly
2.6 Disconnecting from a pressurised cascade breathing system with an
activated EBA which has been donned correctly.

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30 SECOND TIMER

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