OSHAcademy Course 757

HYDROGEN SULFIDE SAFETY

(H2S)

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 HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(H2S)
Hydrogen sulfide is a nearly ubiquitous, acute
acting toxic substance.
It is the leading cause of sudden death in the
workplace.
Brief exposures to hydrogen sulfide at high
concentrations have caused
unconsciousness,respiratory paralysis, and
death.

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 HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(H2S)
Hydrogen Sulfide or sour gas (H2S) is a flammable,
colorless gas that is toxic at extremely low
concentrations.
It is heavier than air, and may accumulate in low-
lying areas.
It smells like "rotten eggs" at low concentrations
and causes you to quickly lose your sense of
smell.
Many areas where the gas is found have been
identified, but pockets of the gas can occur
anywhere.
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 HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(H2S)

Iron sulfide is a byproduct of many production

operations and may spontaneously combust
with air.

Flaring operations associated with H2S

production will generate Sulfur Dioxide (S02),
another toxic gas.

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 HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(H2S)

Active monitoring for hydrogen

sulfide gas and good planning
and training programs for
workers are the best ways to
prevent injury and death.

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 HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(H2S)
Hydrogen sulfide at low concentrations or in
combination with other chemical substances
(eg, hydrocarbons or carbon disulfide) has
caused nervous-system, cardiovascular, and
gastrointestinal disorders,and effects on the
eyes.

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 HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(H2S)

Is especially dangerous when it occurs in low-

lying areas or confined workspaces or it exists
in high concentrations under pressure.

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 HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(H2S)
Hydrogen sulfide is one of the best known
chemical agents in the world. Most people are
familiar with its characteristic rotten-egg odor.

Few people working with H2S realize that it is a

very hazardous gas, capable of producing fatal
effects with seconds of inhalation with any
warning.

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 HYDROGEN SULFIDE
(H2S)
• Hydrogen sulfide is also found in many
industry uses and can be present in waste
water,crude oil, asphalt, bunker fuel, or sludge
at the bottom of crude oil storage tanks, as
well as in molten sulfur.
• These liquids may release H2S when agitated
or heated.

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 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
(H2S)
• Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable,
explosive gas.
• Odor of rotten-eggs; however, this warning
property is not dependable.
• The odor is detectable at about 0.02 ppm,
nerve fatigue occurs in two to fifteen minutes
at 100 to 150 ppm
• IDLH, high concentrations 100 ppm

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 Physical Properties
(H2S)
• The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for
an eight hour work shift is 10 ppm.

• The short term exposure limit, or the

maximum concentration a person may safely
receive in fifteen minutes, is 15 ppm

• It is unlikely that an unaccustomed worker

could tolerate the odor above 10 ppm for
eight hours.
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 Respiratory Protection
(H2S)
Respiratory protection must be worn above the
action level.

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 Special Precautions
(H2S)
All well-drilling sites should be classified
according to areas of potential and/or actual
exposure to H2S.
The recommendations and employee instruction
will vary depending on the type of area.
– No Hazard Condition
– API Condition I - Low Hazard
– API Condition II - Medium Hazard
– API Condition III - High Hazard

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 No Hazard Condition
(H2S)

Work locations that will not penetrate a known

Hydrogen Sulfide formation would be categorized
as a No Hazard Area.

Special Hydrogen Sulfide equipment is not required.

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 API Condition I – Low Hazard
(H2S)
Work locations where atmospheric concentrations of
H2S are less than 10ppm.

Recommended for Area: Hydrogen Sulfide warning

sign with green flag warning device present.

– Keep all safety equipment in adequate working order.

– Store the equipment in accessible locations

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 API Condition II – Medium Hazard
(H2S)
Work locations where atmospheric concentrations of H2S are
greater than 10ppm and less than 30ppm.

Recommended for Area:

• Legible Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign with yellow flag

warning device present.

• Keep a safe distance from dangerous locations if not working

to decrease danger.

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 API Condition II – Medium Hazard
(H2S)
• Pay attention to audible and visual alarm systems.

• Follow the guidance of the operator representative.

• Keep all safety equipment in adequate working order.

• Store the equipment in accessible locations.

– An oxygen resuscitator.
– A properly calibrated, metered hydrogen sulfide detection
instrument.

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 API Condition III – HIGH HAZARD
(H2S)
Work locations where atmospheric concentrations of H2S are
greater than 30ppm.

Recommended for Area:

• Post legible Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign with red flag

warning device.

• Post signs 500 feet from the location on each road leading to
the location, warning of the hydrogen sulfide hazard.

• Check all Hydrogen Sulfide safety equipment to ensure

readiness before each tour change. 18
 API Condition III – HIGH HAZARD
(H2S)
• Establish a means of communication or instruction for
emergency procedures and maintain them on location, along
with contact information of persons to be informed in case of
emergencies.

• Ensure usability of two exits at each location.

• Do not permit employees on location without hydrogen

Sulfide safety training. (Employees may be permitted on
location for specific Hydrogen Sulfide training purposes that
does not include general rig training.)

• Pay attention to audible and visual alarm systems. 19

 API Condition III – HIGH HAZARD
(H2S)
• Store the equipment in accessible locations.
– Two Hydrogen Sulfide detectors should be present (one
should be a properly calibrated, metered detection
instrument, and the other should be a pump type with
detector tubes. The maximum permissible exposure limit
(PEL) is 20 ppm.
– Oxygen resuscitator.
– Three wind socks and streamers.
– Two NIOSH/MSHA 30-minute, self-contained breathing
apparatus for emergency escape from the contaminated
area only.

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 Mechanism of Injury
(H2S)
Most hazardous gases are either pulmonary
irritants, causing damage to the mucous
membranes of the respiratory tract, or
asphyxiants which interfere with oxygen
delivery.
Hydrogen sulfide is rather unique because it is
both an irritant and an asphyxiant.

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 Mechanism of injury
(H2S)
The asphyxiant properties of hydrogen sulfide
are similar to those of another toxic gas,
hydrogen cyanide.
Anaerobic metabolism begins, causing a buildup
of lactic acid with subsequent metabolic
acidosis.
Chemical asphyxia may result in headache,
nausea, ataxia, confusion, seizures, and
cardiovascular collapse.

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 Antidotes
The commonly used antidote for hydrogen
sulfide poisoning in the U.S. is the Eli Lilly
Cyanide Antidote Kit.
The kit is available on physician order and
contains amyl nitrite, sodium nitrite, and
sodium thiosulfate, along with various
needles, syringes, and a nasogastric tube.

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 Treatment
(H2S)
• Remove patient from contaminated area.
• CALL 911 or local emergency number.
• Check for adequate airway and breathing.
• If breathing is present administer O2 @
15L./min. Assist breathing if needed.
• Break an Aspirol Amyl Nitrite Inhalant, (in a
handkerchief). Hold in front of patient’s
mouth for 15 sec.– followed by rest for 15 sec.
Then reapply.

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 Treatment
(H2S)
• Remove any clothing that is contaminated by
H2S and wash off any H2S present on skin.
• Keep patient warm and maintain airway.
• Transport to nearest ED.

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 Conclusion
Simply an annoying odor to most citizens,
hydrogen sulfide is a genuine occupational
hazard to thousands of workers around the
world. Persons working with or around
hydrogen sulfide should be informed of the
dangers of working in and around the
substance.

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