H2S Training

Hydrogen Sulfide Awareness

 Objectives
Identify what is H2S and its properties.
Identify the effects of H2S to our body and
primary route of exposure.
Identify where we can find H2S.
Permissible Limits of exposure.
Emergency Procedure in case of H2S release.
 What is H2S?
Hydrogen sulfide gas is formed by
decomposition of organic animal or vegetable
matter. It can be produced by a variety of
industrial processes.
Some of the areas that we work in that
produce H2S are oil & gas production,
refineries, pulp & paper mills, sewers, septic
tanks, swamps, waste treatment facility, etc.
 Properties of H2S
Highly Toxic
– More toxic than CO and as deadly as HCN the gas used in
the gas chamber.
– A single breath can kill even at 1% concentration by
volume
Flammable
– When mix with air at 4.3% to 46% by volume.
– Extremely explosive. Auto ignition temperature at 500 oF.
– Burns with a blue flame and produces SO2, another highly
toxic gas
 Properties of H2S
 Heavier than air
– When release in the atmosphere will
settle in low lying areas e.g. pits,
excavations, trenches, silos, & poorly
ventilated areas.
– Can travel at distance when release at
high quantity and low wind current.
Soluble
– Mixes well with water & other
hydrocarbons
 Properties of H2S

“Rotten Egg” odor

– H2S has an offensive odor often
describe as “rotten egg” or “sour 12 YEAR
OLD EGG
gas” smell at low concentration.
– At high concentration, can
deaden the olfactory nerve of the
brain which control the sense of
smell
 Properties of H2S
Corrosive
– One of the most startling effects of encountering hydrogen
sulfide gas is its catastrophic effects on metals
– Hydrogen sulfide causes embrittlement of steel with
resulting failure under minimum stress
– The harder the metal the quicker H2S affects it.
Colorless
– No visible signs of H2S to warn you of its presence, we
cannot see it
 H2S Health Hazard
When H2S has been inhaled, it travels directly through the
lungs into the bloodstream. In an effort to protect itself, the
body breaks down or oxidizes the H2S as quickly as possible
into a harmless compound.
In excess quantities, the body cannot oxidize it all and
poisoning takes place.
H2S poisoning effects the nerve centers in the brain, which
control breathing, causing paralysis of that system. The lungs
stop working and the person is asphyxiated.
A person has only about 4 to 6 minutes after breathing ceases
before brain damage occurs.
 Effects of H2S depends on
Intensity How much is the
concentration?
Duration How long is the exposure?

Frequency How often is the exposure?

Susceptibility How vulnerable is the

Factor individual?
 Measurement of H2S
Concentration
PPM - The “parts per million” or “ppm” scale
is used to measure the concentration of H2S in
the area.
It divides the total into 1,000,000 parts and
tells us, in parts per million, the concentration
of the substance we are looking at.
The smallest unit we can measure is one part
per million.
 H2S Exposure Limits
TLV - Threshold Limit Value = 10 ppm
– an exposure level under which most people can work consistently for
8 hours a day, day after day, with no harmful effects.
STEL - Short Term Exposure Limit = 15 ppm
– An exposure level for 15 minutes. Max 4 times per day with 1 hour
between exposure
IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health = 100+ ppm
– Concentrations at which a chemical may cause death or impairing or
irreversible health effects.
Lethal Concentration
– Concentrations that will cause death with short term exposure
Symptoms when exposed to
H2S
Eye irritation
Fatigue
Nausea
Dizziness
Headache
Dryness in the nose and throat
Coughing
Irrational behavior
Loss of consciousness
Cessation of all life processes (death)
 H2S Effects & Symptoms
PPM Effects/ Symptoms
0.13 Minimum perceptible odor
1 Easily detectable, moderate odor
10 Onset of eye irritation, TLV
15 Eye irritation, strong odor, STEL
100 Coughing, marked eye irritation, loss sense of
smell in 2-15 minutes, IDLH
200-300 Severe eye irritation & swelling, respiratory
tract irritation after 1 hour exposure
500-700 Loss of consciousness &possibly death in 30 -
60 minutes
700-1000 Rapid unconsciousness, respiration stops,
death
1000+ Unconsciousness, death in minutes
Persons who could be easily
susceptible to H2S
Perforated eardrums
– In some instances may allow air passage through the eustachian tube
(the auditory tube, extending from the middle ear to pharynx 3 to 4
cm and lined with mucus membrane) into the respiratory track.
Earplug will not prevent this action.
Emphysema/Pulmonary diseases
– Pulmonary destructive disease such as asthma may make people more
susceptible to the affects of H2S at low levels. H2S forms sulfuric acid in
the throat and lungs, this causes the respiratory tract to contract,
making breathing more difficult. The disease slows the oxygen flow to
the heart muscle. H2S affects the heart indirectly under the above
condition.
H2S DO’s √
 DO adhere to Company safety &
health policies & procedures
(e.g., PPE, PTW)
 DO plan and consider hazards
and job requirements before
beginning work
 DO wear your Toxy clip; run
“Self Check” daily
 DO work in pairs whenever
possible
H2S DO’s √

 DO stay aware of the wind direction

 DO make sure your whereabouts are known
 DO avoid confined spaces
 DO consider your escape route in advance and
know muster point locations
 DO respond immediately to alarms and follow
instructions if provided
 H2S DON’TS X
× DON’T ignore alarms no matter how often
they may occur.
× DON’T work alone.
× DON’T enter a confined space alone or
without confined space certificate.
× DON’T attempt a rescue without proper
equipment and training.
 H2S Basic First Aid
Call for HELP at EMS no.
Remember, never attempt rescue without proper
equipment and training
Remove victim to fresh air.
Check for breathing and pulse.
Perform CPR if necessary. Remember ABC, Airway,
Breathing, Circulation
Treat for shock.
Monitor closely.
 H2S Response Plan
Evacuate
– Leave the area immediately & go
to a safe area
Move upwind if the release is
downwind of you
Move crosswind if the release is
upwind of you
 Wind


Gas
Cloud


Escape routes from a H2S
leak

CROSSWIND
CROSSWIND
ESCAPE
ESCAPE
ROUTE
ROUTE
DIRECTION
WIND

UPWIND H2S
UPWIND
UPWIND DOWNWIND
ESCAPE LEAK DOWNWIND
ESCAPE
ESCAPE
ROUTE
ROUTE
ROUTE

CROSSWIND
CROSSWIND

ONLY ESCAPE
ESCAPE
ESCAPE
ROUTE
ROUTE

UPWIND OF A
LEAK IF YOU
ARE CERTAIN
OF ITS SOURCE
H2S Response Plan
Sound the Alarm
– Call for Help. “MAN DOWN”
– Use your phone or radio to alert
others.
Emergency –
EMS
 H2S Response Plan
Assess the situation
– Proceed to the nearest
assembly point
– Do a headcount.
– Consider other hazards
H2S Response Plan
Protect yourself
– Emergency Response
Team shall wear
breathing apparatus
(SCBA) before
attempting any rescue.
 H2S Response Plan
Rescue the victim
– Emergency Response
Team (ERT) will remove
the victim to a safe area.
H2S Response Plan
Revive the victim
– Emergency Response
Team will apply Artificial
Respiration if necessary
 H2S Response Plan
Medical Aid
– Call Emergency –
Arrange transport of victim
to a medical facility
Provide information to
emergency medical services
 REMEMBER
If you try to rescue someone without the
proper respiratory equipment, you will end up
as a victim of this deadly gas too.
If you want to help the victim, ask for help
from the Emergency Response Service
Do not be a victim. Protect yourself.
Be alive.