QATAR PETROLEUM

SAFETY DEPARTMENT
TRAINING DIVISION

H2S
THE KILLER

DONT LET IT GET YOU DOWN

INTRODUCTION
Hydrogen Sulfide Gas is one of the most dangerous and deadly
hazards in the Oil & Gas industry. It is known by many names;
H2S, sour Gas and Sulfuretted Hydrogen.
Workers in the Oil & Gas industry must be aware of its deadly
properties and should also know how to rescue and administer first
aid to victims who are overcome.
The following information is to alert persons to the hazards
involved in working with H2S and to provide guidance for
controlling those hazards.

Hydrogen Sulfide Rescue

Procedures
Before attempting any rescue, put on full-duration, positive
pressure breathing apparatus
Move victim to fresh air immediately
Call for medical help
Check casualty for breathing; if not breathing, start
resuscitation
Transport victim to hospital

Properties of H2S
Colorless:
H2S is a colorless gas so you cannot see it

Rotten Egg Smell :

At very low concentrations, H2S has a distinct rotten egg odor. At
higher concentrations the gas is odorless because it deadens the sense of
smell.

Heavier Than Air:

Since it is heavier than air, it will accumulate in low lying areas and
confined spaces.

Corrosive:
H2S is highly corrosive to certain metals.

Flammability:
H2S has a flammable range of 4% - 46% and will ignite at the relatively
low temperature of 500F. When it burns it produces sulfur dioxide, another
toxic gas.

Water solubility:
Hydrogen Sulfide is water-soluble. Any water contaminated with the
gas is a potential hazard.

Toxic:
Above all, the one characteristic of H2S that makes it so dangerous is
its extreme toxicity

TOXIC GAS

Effects of H2S
<1 ppm

Can be smelled.

10 ppm

: Allowable for 8 hours of exposure (OEL).

>10 ppm

: Appropriate BA must be worn

100 ppm
: Loss of sense of smell in 2 to 15 minutes. May
burn throat, cause headache and nausea.
200 ppm
: Sense of smell lost rapidly. Burns to eyes, throat
and mucous membranes.
500 ppm
: Loss of reasoning and balance. Respiratory
disturbance in 2 to 15 minutes. Prompt resuscitation needed.
700 ppm
: Immediate unconsciousness. Causes seizures,
loss of control of bowel and bladder. Breathing will stop and death
will result if not rescued promptly. Immediate resuscitation.
1000 ppm : Causes immediate unconsciousness. Death or
permanent brain damage may result unless rescued promptly.

PPM
10,000 ppm

Parts of gas per million parts of air by volume. 1%=

Where H2S can be found

Hydrogen sulfide is found in a wide range of industrial locations.

Oil industry workers in particular may be exposed to the potential
hazards of H2S at any stage of drilling, production, storage,
transportation, or refining.
As well as Oil & Gas, workers in other industries, such as the
paper industry and the chemical industry, especially those where
sulfur products or sulfuric acid are produced or used, should be
alert to the potential hazards of H2S and should be trained in H2S
awareness and personal protective measures.
H2S can travel along the ground easily and build up to
dangerously high concentrations in low lying, confined or poorly
ventilated areas.

Detection of H2S
Hydrogen sulfide in low concentrations is easily recognized by its
characteristic foul odor similar to rotten eggs. However, continued
exposure will temporarily eliminate ones ability to smell the gas.
The effect usually misleads the worker into thinking the danger
has passed; often with tragic results.
The acute effect of H2S on the body is twofold. It acts as an
irritant to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs; and it acts as internal
poison causing paralysis of the respiratory system, as well as
unconsciousness.

When testing for the presence of H2S

Be prepared for lethal concentrations
You can detect the presence of h2s at less than 1-ppm by its odor.
Unfortunately it may be the last thing you ever smell. If the
concentration of the gas is above the 100-ppm range the sense of
smell is quickly deadened, giving a false sense of security that the
danger is passed.

Warning
Never rely on your sense of smell to tell you how much H2S is
present wear your respiratory protection.
To determine the presence of H2S in your work area, one of the
following means of detection should be used:

Gas detector (tubes)

The concentration of H2S is indicated by the length of the
discoloration when air is drawn through the detector tube. There
are many types of these tubes available.
A Certified Gas Tester is required to interpret the results .

Continuous monitoring
This system is used in large plants where they are used to sample
the air from hazardous areas at regular intervals. An alarm system
will be activated if the gas concentration rises above pre-set limits.

Personal Monitoring
Battery operated personal H2S monitors can be used by
individuals to alert when the concentration of the H2S exceeds a
pre-set limit; usually 10ppm.
Everyone in the work site is to familiarise himself with the
equipment used in his work area. Learn its proper operation.

Your life depends on it !!!

PROTECTION
Approved Respiratory Protective Equipment Shall Be Worn In Any
Area Were H2S Is A Potential Hazard.
THERE ARE TWO COMMON TYPES OF RESPIRATORY PROTECTION:

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus - SCBA :

It supplies compressed air from a cylinder worn on the back to a
full-face piece. This equipment should positive pressure and
supply at least a (30) minutes of air. Heavy physical work will
consume available air at a higher rate. All SCBA must be
equipped with an alarm that operates when there is only
approximately 10-minutes of breathing air remaining.

Supplied Air Apparatus

This device supplies breathing air from cylinder or compressor in a
remote location via a hose to a full-face piece. A cylinder
containing 15-minutes air must be worn with this type of equipment
in case of an interruption of supplied air; this is for escape purpose
only.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
The protection of life and health of the workers is the first and
foremost concern in any area contaminated with H2S.
Working inside vessels, tanks, etc, the workers must be protected
by respiratory protective equipment and practice safe work
procedures.

FOR ADEQUATE PROTECTION THE

FOLLOWING PRECAUTIONS MUST BE
OBSERVED:
1. Selection of correct respiratory protective equipment filter
masks do NOT protect against H2S
2. Quality of breathing air
3. Proper fit of the facepiece facial hair will reduce the level of
protection provided by your breathing apparatus
4. Respiratory equipment must be maintained in good condition
5. Only approved respiratory protection may be used in the
work place.

RESCUE & FIRST AID

BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY RESCUE, PUT ON RESPIRATORY
PROTECTION,

YOU COULD BECOME A VICTIM

1. It is essential that everyone working in an area where H2S
is present has a knowledge of artificial respiration/CPR.
2. Training in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is
recommended in addition to their knowledge and skills in
first aid.
3. Regular training in rescue is very important, to maintain
skills and keep abreast of the latest rescue techniques.