Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)

H2S HAZARDS
H2S or hydrogen sulfide is one of the most common and serious
hazards faced in the oil & gas industry.

H2S - Where Does It Occur?

H2S is naturally present in crude oil and as a by-product during the
production and processing of oil and gas. It can also be
produced during sewage and waste water treatment.
 H2S PROPERTIES

H2S GAS IS: Units:

Toxic Measurement unit:
Colorless PPM = Parts Per Million
Soluble 1% = 10,000PPM
Heavier than air 1 ppm is equal to
Flammable 1mm in 1 Km
Explosive 1KD in 1000 000 KD
Corrosive 1 second in 11 days .
Odor rotten egg
 H2S EFFECTS of EXPOSURE
1ppm Sense of smell remains intact and can detect a rotten
egg odor
5ppm This is the TLV-TWA (8 hrs) (TLV-Threshold Limit Value
concentration to which a person can be exposed for 8 hours
(TWA- Time Weighted Average) without breathing apparatus)

10ppm Eye irritation

15 PPM This is the (STEL) SHORT TERM EXPOSURE LIMIT

Maximum concentration to which a person can be
exposed for 15 Minutes Only 4 Exposures permitted
per work shift
 H2S EFFECTS of EXPOSURE
100ppm Eye inflammation, nausea & cough. Sense of
smell becomes ineffectual within 3-15 minutes;
this is the IDLH value (Immediately
Dangerous to Life & Health)

500ppm Breathing difficulty, nervous system impairment

can result in tremors, numbness in extremities,
convulsions, ability to reason is lost

700ppm Respiratory failure, seizures, unconsciousness,

fatal in few breaths!
FACTORS THAT DETERMINE THE
EFFECT OF H2S ON INDIVIDUALS
Duration: the length of time the person is exposed to H2S
Intensity: concentration of H2S the person is exposed to
Individual Susceptibility: Physical (Eye, Respiratory and Anemia), mental
conditions & Alcoholics.
Frequency: How often the person is exposed to H2S

JOBS THAT COULD RESULT H2S RELEASE

Draining pumps
Breaking flanges
Collecting samples (produced water/crude oil)
Draining flare knockout drums
Replacing pressure gauge on oil service
 H2S Hazard Control
1. Engineering Measures
Safe Design of Process Equipment
Regular Equipment Maintenance
Proper Ventilation
Control of Leaks
2. Detection
Areas with H2S to be monitored
Fixed-Area H2S Monitor
Portable Gas Monitor
3. Respiratory Protection
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
Air Supplied Breathing Apparatus
Emergency Escape bottle
4. Effective Training
leak or release of H2S
H2S emergency response plan
Rescue procedures
Emergency telephone numbers
H2S alarms and warning lights
Wind direction
Upwind/crosswind escape
Instruction
Assembly Points/areas
Air-monitoring devices
SCBAs
What precautions do we take when there is
a possibility of H2S release?

1. MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL RELEASE

Ask the question: Do we need to do this job or can we do it another way?
Drain to a closed system
Thoroughly clean out vessels prior to opening up
Water flush equipment prior to draining
2. JOB PLANNING AND EXECUTION
Perform job safety analysis
Work from upwind side of potential release location
Keep H2S detector with you at all times
Use the buddy system
Wear SCBA or Air Supplied Breathing Apparatus as necessary
3. Immediate actions at the release time (10ppm H2S is present)
Get to a safe area immediately
Move up wind if release is downwind of you
Move cross wind if release is upwind of you
Move to higher ground if possible.
 RESCUE AND FIRST AID

Contact Emergency Dept immediately

Remove victim to fresh air
If breathing stops commence artificial
respiration/CPR
Ensure medical examination

Always wear SCBA before

attempting a rescue
DONT BECOME A VICTIM TOO