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H2S Alive
H2S alive courses are designed for employees who work in the upstream oil and gas industries and whose workplace presents many H2S exposure risks and hazards. H2S alive has become a norm for the petroleum business, and employers favor personnel who hold this qualification. An H2S alive safety course that meets the associated safety standards covers topics like:
- H2S properties
- Detection of H2S
- Respiratory protective equipment
- Hazard assessment
- Rescue techniques
The course will work on preparing employees to identify hazards, minimize them, and perform basic rescue operations during an H2S incident.
H2S Awareness
An H2S awareness course is taken by employees whose workplace puts them in situations of risk of H2S exposure, but they are not workers in the upstream oil or gas industry. Instead, these folks might work in mines, farms, or water treatment plants.
A hydrogen sulfide safety awareness course is ideal for anyone who needs to know about H2S gas for employment or business. This course should teach you about the defining characteristics of H2S, and the health risks associated with exposure. It should also cover the acceptable exposure limits and many detection and monitoring techniques. You’ll also learn how to detect the presence of hydrogen sulfide in or near your workplace and what precautions you should take. You will also be taught how to respond to a hydrogen sulfide emergency.
An H2S awareness course does not grant participants the H2S alive certification. This course is not appropriate for those seeking employment in the oil and gas business, where a valid H2S certification is required.
What Is Hydrogen Sulfide?
Hydrogen sulfide is a highly dangerous gas found in crude petroleum and natural gas. It is produced as a byproduct in many industrial operations and happens as a result of organic matter decomposition. It goes by numerous names, including dihydrogen sulfide, sulfur hybrid, and hydrosulfuric acid. Its most frequent names, however, are stink damp, sour gas, or sewer gas. Hydrogen sulfide is highly flammable and colorless. It is heavier than air and smells heavily like rotten eggs.
However, because exposure to this gas quickly deadens one’s sense of smell, relying on being able to detect its odor can create a false sense of security.
Why Is It Dangerous?
Hydrogen sulfide, which is colorless by nature, can induce:
- Eye irritation
- Respiratory problems
- Dizziness
- Convulsions
- Death
The effects might be felt in as little as one breath. It usually causes poisoning through inhalation and has a toxicity similar to cyanide. Not only is it found in petroleum and natural gas, but it is also occasionally found in groundwater. This is a dangerous and serious work environment.
Where Is Hydrogen Sulfide Found?
Employees of the Canadian Union of Public Employees who operate in areas where organic material degrades in the absence of oxygen are particularly vulnerable. Sewers, sewage treatment plants, and other comparable locations fall into this category. Workers who do excavation work in open regions with high organic content are also in danger due to the nature of H2S gas.
It is vital to note that enclosed and confined spaces are high-risk places due to the rapid buildup of hydrogen sulfide gas. A confined space is any work space that is completely or partially enclosed and from which instant escape is impossible. A room or a structure can also be regarded as an enclosed space depending on its function.
What Jobs Need H2S Training?
As stated previously, H2S is a byproduct of decomposing organic waste. Although it is heavier than air and has a strong odor, hydrogen sulfide can be difficult to identify without training. To keep their employees safe, most oil and gas companies are required to enforce H2S training.
Worker safety will always take precedence over getting the work done. As a result, the completion requirements are encouraged by employees, employers, and contractors. Everyone has the right to return home safely and in good health at the end of the day. The industries and occupations that must complete H2S training are the:
- Gas industry
- Oil industry
- Drilling industry
It also must be completed by employees who are involved in operations such as the exploration, maintenance, and processing of heavy oil sands.
Oil Industry
The most common working operation associated with H2S exposure is the oil industry. There are many oil well sites and gas plants involved in this occupation that can create H2S, putting many oil field employees at risk. The procedure of connecting hoses and valves to the wells exposes workers to higher levels of hydrogen sulfide.
If these hose and value parts are not correctly linked or the equipment does not form a gas-proof seal, a leak may occur. Workers may be exposed to a poisonous mixture of stagnant water, crude oil, and gas in such instances, including hydrogen sulfide. As a result, it’s necessary to double-check equipment and monitor H2S levels near gas seals.
Truck Drivers & Exposure
Another job that holds a high risk of H2S exposure for the workers is truck driving. Many people think of collisions when they think of the dangers that truck drivers confront. However, oilfield truck drivers, whether they transport crude oil, wastewater, drilling mud, or other cargo, are in danger of H2S exposure. When arriving onsite, experienced truck drivers recognize potential sources of hydrogen sulfide and often position their vehicles upwind from the source.
Even an expert eye, however, cannot detect all the hidden dangers of H2S. Drivers waiting near their trucks during a fill-up may be exposed to hydrogen sulfide as a result of an unprotected vent pipe. If you drive a truck and transport oil, wastewater, or other oil field pollutants, you should get H2S certification and personal protective equipment training; it could save your life.
H2S Alive Safety Program
Employers must have a comprehensive H2S prevention and response plan in place for any work that may expose workers to the gas. Employers are required to inform their employees about work and emergency procedures. They also must brief them on company regulations, such as the dangers of H2S exposure and how to operate monitoring equipment.
The air at your workplace should be monitored, and any hydrogen sulfide in the air should be recorded and managed. All areas where harmful vapors are found should be vented with a fresh air fan, and warning signs, including descriptions of exposure symptoms, should be installed. Non-sparking ventilation systems should be tested every six months. Gas sources should be closed, blanked off, locked, and marked.
Employers must install gas sensors that can sense even low amounts of hydrogen sulfide in areas near the ground on a regular basis. When readings reach 10 ppm, such devices should sound an alarm to warn workers. If continuous monitoring is not possible, a method for assessing H2S levels prior to entry must be implemented to protect personnel from exposure.
Furthermore, employees should be outfitted with portable monitors that may be clipped to their belts and transported into confined locations as a supplement. These should contain loud sirens and colored lights to warn workers and should be able to be utilized continuously for longer than the length of a worker’s shift without needing to be recharged.
H2S is a lethal threat. When and where work is performed in limited areas, employers must establish and implement a confined space safety program. Before entering such locations, workers should be adequately qualified and trained.