Presented by: Munir Ahmad

WORKING ON SYSTEMS CONTAINING HYDROGEN

SULPHIDE (H2S)

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Hydrogen sulfide safety training�

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H2S Training

What is hydrogen sulfide (H2S)?

• A colorless gas, heavier than air, accumulate in low lying area.
• Odor similar to rotten eggs at low concentration.
• High concentration damage the olfactory gland
• Paralyze the breathing system and kill within minutes

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H2S PROPERTIES & TOXICITY

• Very toxic.
• Soluble in water,
• Corrosive gas
• Burning h2s produce sulfur dioxide (SO2)
• Flammable gas

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How Is Hydrogen Sulfide Formed?

• Oil and gas reservoirs.
• Sewers and sewage processing facilities
• Dark damp places where bacteria is present.
• Oxygen free place
• Drilling and production of crude oil and natural gas
• Petrochemical plants

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Hydrogen Sulfide in Workplaces

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• Petroleum production and refining
• Sewer and wastewater treatment
• Agricultural silos and pits
• Textile manufacturing
• Pulp and paper processing
• Food processing
• Hot asphalt paving
• Mining

What are the Health Hazards of H₂S?�

• Low concentrations: may cause eye, nose, or throat irritation
• long-term effects may occur in many individuals, such as headaches, lapses in concentration and poor memory
• High concentration: blocks the transfer of oxygen to the blood cells and causes paralysis of the respiratory system.

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Exposure Limits

• Permissible Exposure Limit: 10 ppm for an 8-hr period avg
• Short Term Exposure Limit: 15 ppm for a 15-minute avg.
• Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health: 100 ppm

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Escape Guidelines

• Know the alarm systems.
• Know the escape route
• Know the emergency contact number
• Know the wind direction at all times.
• know the assembly point.
• always go crosswind
• Know the location of SCBA

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Controlling Exposure

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Eliminate the source

Using engineering control

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Developing administrative control

Use personal protective equipment

Isolation controls

windsock

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Always go cross wind

Signage

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know the H2S area

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Use exhaust and ventilation systems

know the H2S detector

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H2S warning signs

• Eye irritation — soreness, light sensitivity, seeing “rainbows” around bright lights, or a gritty pain
• Breathing irritation — sore nasal passages; sore throat; burning feeling in the chest; or fluid buildup in the lungs
• Other symptoms — headache, confusion, nausea, disorientation, or vomiting

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Concentration Criteria

• 0.1 ppm detected by smell,
• 10 ppm TLV
• 100 ppm IDLH
• 200 ppm Drowsiness
• 500 ppm unconsciousness
• Above 700 ppm FATAL

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Air breathing apparatus

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TYPES OF BREATHING APPARATUS

Self contained breathing apparatus

This type of apparatus provide air from a cylinder for 30 minutes worn on the back

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Supplied air breathing apparatus

Large cylinder connected with hose line to the BA system.

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Problems in respirator use

• Facial hair
• Contact lenses
• Spectacles
• Untrained
• Medical unfit

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Instruction for using SCBA

• Check cylinder, face piece and harness
• Put on cylinder and adjust straps
• Put on face piece and start adjusting strap from chin straps

• Block face piece opening and breath to check the negative pressure
• Open cylinder, connect regulator and breath

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Emergency response

• Do not panic
• Hold your breath
• Move upwind or crosswind
• Look for breathing apparatus
• Precede to assembly area

• Protect yourself first
• Do not attempt to rescue
• Report the emergency
• Contact to ERT

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Employer responsibility

• Mark the restricted work area
• Two access routes
• Satisfied with the safety aspect of the job.
• Provision of SCBA
• Provision of rescue plan

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Back up team

• Must remain outside the restricted area,
• Must be equipped with BA
• Constant observation.
• Assist in rescue in case of emergency.

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DUTIES OF TROLLEY MAN

• Positioned outside the restricted area
• Change air bottles
• Understand the instructions attached to the air bottle trolley
• Keep close eye on wind direction

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Supervisors responsibilities

• An assessment of the workplace hazards
• Controls used to reduce the hazards
• Monitoring for H2S
• Attend education and training sessions
• Provision of personal protective equipment
• Educate the worker

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Workers responsibilities

• Use personal protective equipment
• Sign on permit
• Make sure 1 h2s detector for 5 worker
• know the evacuation route
• know the assembly area
• Know how to report exposure incidents

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First aid

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If H2S causes the eyes to sting, itch, or water, Flush the eyes with lukewarm water immediately, for at least 30 minutes. If the eyes keep itching, see a doctor as soon as possible.

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Thanks

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