HYDROGEN SULFIDE SAFETY

Safety Moment
Anybody Anything Anytime Anywhere

Basis for this course:

Millions of workers are exposed to hydrogen sulfide hazards. Hydrogen Sulfide is very safe under controlled conditions. Employees must understand the hazards of hydrogen sulfide. Each year, numerous accidents occur with hydrogen sulfide. Safety can be greatly enhanced if training is provided. OSHA Standards require:

Hazards be assessed. Training be conducted. Hazards and precautions be explained. Emergency response capability be established.

Course objectives
Provide an Introduction to the Toxicology of Hydrogen Sulfide. Discuss Hydrogen Sulfides Usage in Todays Industry. Discuss General Terms Used in Hydrogen Sulfide Safety. Discuss Methods of Compliance with Hydrogen Sulfide Safety. Discuss the Routes of Entry Into the Human Body. Discuss Any Medical Surveillance Requirements.

Discuss Personal Protective Equipment Requirements.

Discuss the Hazards of Hydrogen Sulfide Upon the Human Body. Discuss Hazard Recognition & Control Skills.

Course contents

Factors Influencing Toxic Action Exposure Terminology Factors Affecting Exposure Methods of Compliance Exposure Control Basic Safety Rules Storage Rules Chemical Storage Surveys General Storage Requirements Specific Storage Requirements Question and Answer Period Tips For Using Contractors

Student learning outcomes

UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING: Why Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Is Important. The Basics of Toxicology as it Relates to Hydrogen Sulfide. Basic Safety Precautions Related to Hydrogen Sulfide Safety. Specific Hazards Associated with Hydrogen Sulfide Exposure. The Training Requirements Associated with Hydrogen Sulfide. Basic Storage Requirements as they Relate to Safety. The Use of Personal Protective Equipment to Prevent Exposure.

The General Duty Clause

All employers are legally obligated to provide for the health , safety and welfare of its employees. Employers should provide information, instruction, training and supervision.

Training requirements
THE EMPLOYER MUST PROVIDE TRAINING :

The Hazards of Hydrogen Sulfide.

The Use of Equipment. What PPE Is Necessary. When PPE Is Necessary. The Limitations of the PPE. Decontamination Procedures. Engineering Control Operation. Provide Retraining As Required. Care and Maintenance of Equipment. Classification of Hazardous Materials. Train All Employees Prior to Job Assignment.
JOB SAFETY

Retraining requirements
REQUIRED WHEN THERE IS A:

Close-Call Event.
New Hazard or Equipment.
Change in Job Assignment. New Hazard Control Methods. Occupationally Related Injury. Failure in the Safety Procedures. Permissible Exposure Exceedance. Reason to Doubt Employee Proficiency.
JOB SAFETY

Technical Hazard Data

HAZARD RATINGS AND TECHNICAL DATA NOTE: Hazard Ratings Used in This Course May Differ From Chemicals Used at Your Facility Because of the Purity and Specific Mixture of the Chemical You Use. Refer to Your SHOC/Material Safety Data Sheet for Specific Hazard Data for the Chemicals You Use. Some Technical Hazard Data Used in This Course Are Derived From the NIOSH Guide To Chemical Hazards.

What is H2S ?

Sulphuretted hydrogen, stink damp, sour crude, sour gas, marsh

gas, rotten egg gas.

Highly toxic / flammable gas.

Found both onshore and offshore.

H 2S
A naturally occurring gas.

Aerobic / anaerobic bacteria.

Found in oil & gas, produced water, stagnant water, seawater.

Mines, sewers, storage tanks and swamps.

H2S Atmospheres Arise when H2S is released from: Leaking valves. Leaking flanges or joints. Escape from vents. Disturbance of sludge. Stagnant seawater.

Synonyms and Trade Names SYNONYMS AND TRADE NAMES:

Hydrogen Sulfide Sewer Gas Sulfuretted Hydrogen

HYDROGEN SULFIDE

Physical Properties

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:
Colorless Gas Odor of Rotten Eggs

HYDROGEN SULFIDE

Hydrogen Sulphide(H2S)

Physical Properties H2S

Colourless. Odour of rotten eggs, at lower levels. Do not rely on smell). Irritating to eyes and lungs. Soluble in water and liquid hydrocarbons. Flammable - burns with blue flame. Highly corrosive to certain metals.

Physical Properties

SPECIFIC PROPERTIES:
Hydrogen Sulfide - (H2S) Vapor Density: 1.19 Boiling Point: - 77.00 F. Color: Colorless Odor: Rotten Eggs Solubility in Water: 0.4% Range of Flammability: 4.0 - 44.0 %

Measurements of H2S
Flammable limits. Flash point. Ignition temperature. Vapour pressure. Vapour density. Parts per million.

Physical Properties

(Continued)

VAPOR DENSITY (RGasD):

RGasD - Relative density of gases as referenced to air = 1 (How many times a gas is heavier than air at the same temperature)

VAPOR DENSITY OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS: 1.19

VD GREATER than 1.0: The vapors are heavier than air and lay in low areas. VD LESS than 1.0: The vapors are lighter than air and will rise.

Physical Properties

(Continued )

VAPOR DENSITY IS IMPORTANT:

Knowing whether a vapor will rise or fall in open air can give you valuable information to draw to ensure safety during a leak or spill situation.

Physical Properties

(Continued)

BOILING POINT:
The point when vapor pressure equals atmospheric pressure liquid boils. The corresponding temperature is called the boiling point of liquid.

BOILING POINT OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS: - 77.00 F

Sublimation is the process by which a solid substance changes into a gas, or vapor, without first becoming a liquid. These substances are said to sublime.

Physical Properties

(Continued)

BOILING POINT IS IMPORTANT:

Knowing the boiling point lets you know when a liquid will transfer to a vapor, or begin to dangerously expand in enclosed containers.

Physical Properties SOLUBILITY:

(Continued)

The ability of a substance to dissolve in another is called its solubility.

Solubility depends on the chemical properties and temperature of the substances of the liquid solution.
For gases, solubility also depends on pressure.

SOLUBILITY OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE IS: 0.4%

Physical Properties

(Continued)

SOLUBILITY OF GASES IN WATER:

Gases are soluble in liquids such as water.
We bubble air into a fish tank to allow breathing. Fish breathe solubilized oxygen. Carbon dioxide puts the fizz in carbonated beverages. A soda left open in a warm room will get flat quickly. All of these observations are dependent upon the solubility of gases in water.

Physical Properties

(Continued)

SOLUBILITY IS IMPORTANT:

Knowing how soluble a liquid is lets you know to what degree the material will mix with other liquids in a spill situation. It could mean the different between draining a million gallon collection pond or simply skimming the surface to remove a spilled substance.

Flammable Limits

Lower explosive limit - (LEL) - is the lowest concentration of fuel

in air which will burn.

Upper explosive limit - (UEL) - is the maximum concentration of

fuel in air which will burn.

Physical Properties

(Continued)

FLAMMABLE RANGE:

The numerical difference between the upper and lower explosive limits. In other words the range that the vapors of a flammable liquid (when ignited) will burn when mixed with ambient air.

UEL / LEL - H2S

100% Volume
Hydrogen Sulphide

46% UEL Flammable Range 4.3% LEL 0% Volume

Flammable Limits - H2S

100% Volume
Hydrogen Sulphide

46% Vol UEL

4.3% Vol LEL

100% LEL 0% Volume

Physical Properties (Continue)

UPPER FLAMMABLE LIMIT (UFL) The richer point at which a mixture of flammable vapor and air will no longer support combustion LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT (LFL) The leaner point at which a mixture of flammable vapor and air will no longer support combustion

LFL to UFL = THE FLAMMABLE RANGE

Flammable Range Gas Hydrogen Sulphide LEL 4.3% UEL 46%

Pentane
Propane

1.4%
2%

8%
9%

Hydrogen
Methane Acetylene

4%
5% 2%

80%
15% 82%

Flash Point

The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient flammable vapour in air to produce a flash on the application of a small flame.

Ignition Temperature

The lowest temperature to which a substance has to be raised for sustained combustion to take place.

Vapour Pressure

The measure of a liquids volatility, i.e. the readiness of a liquid to release vapour.

Vapour Density The ratio of the weight of a given volume of a gas or vapour to the weight of an equal volume of another gas (normally air).
Vapour density of air Hydrogen sulphide Hydrogen Methane Carbon Monoxide

= = = = =

1 1.19 0.07 0.55 0.97

Physical Properties

(Continued)

INCOMPATIBLES AND REACTIVES:

Strong Oxidizers Strong Nitric Acid Metals

Physical Properties

(Continued )

DOT/IMDG INFORMATION:
IMDG/UN Labelling DOT Name: DOT Hazard: DOT Label: DOT ID Number: CAS Number: Hydrogen Sulphide Toxic Gas Toxic Gas, Flammable Gas UN1053 7783-06-4

Physical Properties

(Continued)

pH INFORMATION:
The pH of a Liquid Is the Numerical Measure of Its Relative Acidity or Alkalinity. Range Is From 0 - 14 Neutral Level Expressed 7.0 Above 7.0 Liquid Is More Alkaline or Basic Below 7.0 Liquid Is More Acidic

Physical Properties (Continued) pH INFORMATION:

Limewater Household ammonia
Milk of magnesia 12 11

10
9

BASE

Blood Pure Water Tap Water Coffee Wine Vinegar Lemon juice Gastric juice

8
7 6 5 4 3 2 ACID NEUTRAL

Physical Properties

(Continued)

CHECK FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH EACH OTHER!

LOW pH

ACID

BASE

HIGH pH

Physical Properties

(Continued)

CHECK FOR COMPATIBILITY WITH YOU! ACID BASE

Hazard Rating Systems

EXAMPLE OF TWO SYSTEMS

NFPA - NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION HMIS - NATIONAL PAINT AND COATINGS ASSOCIATION

- HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM - CHIP 3

Hazard Rating Systems

(Continued)

FIVE HAZARD LEVELS

HMIS 4 SEVERE 3 SERIOUS 2 MODERATE 1 SLIGHT 0 MINIMAL NFPA 4 EXTREME 3 HIGH 2 MODERATE 1 SLIGHT 0 INSIGNIFICANT

Hazard Rating for Hydrogen Sulphide

FIVE NFPA HAZARD LEVELS

- 4 EXTREME
-3 -2 -1 -0 HIGH MODERATE SLIGHT INSIGNIFICANT

FIRE HAZARD

3 0
HEALTH HAZARD
SPECIFIC HAZARD (WATER REACTIVE)

REACTIVITY

Effects H2S (1) Depends on Duration Frequency Intensity Individual susceptibility Alcohol consumption

Effects H2S (2)

0.13 ppm 4.60 ppm 10 ppm

Minimal perceptible odour Easily detectable moderate odour Beginning of eye irritation

27 ppm

Strong, unpleasant odour

Effects H2S (3)

100 ppm 200 - 300 ppm

Coughing, eye irritation - loss of smell after 2 / 15 minutes Sense of smell quickly lost, eye and respiratory tract inflammation after one hour Loss of consciousness and possible death 30 / 60 minutes

500 - 700 ppm

Effects H2S (4)

700 - 1,000 ppm

Rapid unconsciousness, cessation of respiration, then death. Unconsciousness at once with early cessation of respiration and death in a few minutes.

1,000 - 2,000 ppm

Exposure Limits (1)

EH40 gives two exposure limits.
Occupational Exposure Standards (OESs)

Maximum Exposure Limits (MELs).

Employee Exposure Limits

UK: 5 ppm (twa)

OSHA: 20 ppm (c)

WELL DISCUSS MORE ABOUT EXPOSURE LIMITS LATER

HYDROGEN SULFIDE

Exposure Limits (2) Example (UK)

Long term exposure limit (LTEL) Is an 8 hour time weighted average value. For H2S this is 5 ppm - TLV

Short term exposure limit (STEL) Is a 15 minute time weighted average For H2S this is 10 ppm.

Exposure Limits (PDO)

Long term exposure limit (LTEL)- 10 ppm

Short term exposure limit (STEL)- 15 ppm

Health Effects Of Hydrogen Sulphide Exposure

(Continued)

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE EXPOSURE:

Burning of eyes, nose, and throat. Dizziness. Coughing, Choking. Headache. Breathing difficulty.

Health Effects Of Hydrogen Sulphide Exposure

(Continued)

EMERGENCY ACTIONS IF LEAK IS DETECTED:

Stay out of leak area and avoid down wind areas.

Notify fellow employees in the area.

Call emergency response personnel. Get to, and stay up wind. Follow local emergency procedures.

FIRST AID

Health Effects Of Hydrogen Sulphide Exposure

(Continued)

EMERGENCY ACTIONS IF LEAK IS DETECTED:

Eye Contact:

Irrigate immediately for 15 minutes, seek medical help.

Ingestion/Inhalation: Get to clean air, seek medical help. Skin Contact: Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. (Liquefied) Warm frost bite with warm water. Seek medical help.

FIRST AID

Basics Of Toxicology

LETS DISCUSS SOME OF THE TERMS THAT WILL BE HELPFUL IN UNDERSTANDING THE AFFECTS OF HYDROGEN SULFIDE ON YOUR BODY.

OCCUPATIONAL TOXICOLOGY

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

ALL THINGS ARE POISONS, OR THERE IS NOTHING WITHOUT POISONOUS QUALITIES. IT IS ONLY THE DOSE WHICH MAKES A THING POISON.

PARACELSUS (1493 - 1541)

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

EXPOSURE TERMINOLOGY
Hazardous Material A Material That Falls Into One or More Of the Following Categories. Hazardous Materials Can Have One or Many Characteristics That Can Add to the Intensity of the Toxic Action of a Particular Solid, Liquid, or Gas. Ignitability Reactivity Corrosivity Toxicity Is Flammable or Combustible. Can React With Itself or Other Materials. Can Deteriorate Another Substance. In Its Normal State Is Harmful to Living Things.

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

EVERYTHING IS TOXIC; IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE DOSE.

How Well the Body Accepts a Substance Depends on: The Type of Substance. The Amount (Dose) Absorbed. The Period of Time Over Which It Is Absorbed. The Susceptibility/Sensitivity of the Person Exposed.

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

THE PRIMARY ROUTE FOR HYDROGEN SULFIDE

INHALATION

ABSORPTION

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

FOUR PRIMARY ROUTES INTO THE BODY

INHALATION INGESTION ABSORPTION INJECTION

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

INHALATION

Breathing and smoking causes us to inhale substances which enter the lungs. Substances inhaled into the lungs cause scarring of the lungs or are readily absorbed into the blood stream.

INHALATION INGESTION ABSORPTION INJECTION

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

INGESTION

Swallowing a substance causes penetration into the blood stream via the stomach and small intestine.

INHALATION INGESTION ABSORPTION INJECTION

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

ABSORPTION

Entering the body through the skin causes substances to enter the blood stream at a slower rate than by inhalation. However, the resulting entry and distribution within the body is the same.

INHALATION INGESTION ABSORPTION INJECTION

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

INJECTION

Injection occurs when substances are forced through this skin. This can occur as a result of such means as compressed gas, or by having the skin abraded by a penetrating object.

INHALATION INGESTION ABSORPTION INJECTION

Basics Of Toxicology

(Continued)

TLV - Threshold Limit Value: One of three categories of chemical exposure levels: TLV-TWA, TLV-STEL or TLV-C. TLV-TWA: Threshold Limit Value Time-Weighted Average: The time weighted average concentration for a normal 8-hour workday and a 40 hour work week to which nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed without adverse effect. NOTE: TLV should be used as an exposure guide rather than an absolute. A physician has the final word.

Basis Of Toxicology

(Continued)

TLV-STEL: Threshold Limit Value - Short Term Exposure Limit: A 15 minute time-weighted average exposure that should not be exceeded at any time during the work day. TLV-C: Threshold Limit Value - Ceiling: The concentration that should not ever be exceeded, even instantaneously.

Factors Influencing Toxic Action

RATE OF ENTRY.
STATE OF HEALTH. AGE OF INDIVIDUAL. ROUTE OF EXPOSURE. PREVIOUS EXPOSURE LEVELS. WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. INDIVIDUAL SUSCEPTIBILITY AND HEREDITY.
TOXIC ACTION

Exposure Terminology

Acute Exposure: Usually Minutes, Hours or Several Days. Chronic Exposure: Regular Exposure Over Months, Years, or a Lifetime.

The Toxicity of the Chemical or Material Combined With the Susceptibility of the Individual, Determines Whether the Exposure Is Acute or Chronic.

Exposure Terminology

(Continued)

Latent Exposure: An injury or disease that remains undeveloped until an incubation period has elapsed. The period of time could be hours, days, months or years.

The Toxicity of the Chemical or Material Combined With the Susceptibility of the Individual Is a Key Factor.

Factors Affecting Exposure

The Amount Entering the Body. The Length of Time of Exposure. The Rate of Absorption Into the Blood. The Physical Nature of the Chemical. The Chemical Nature of the Chemical. The Age of the Individual. The Health of the Individual.

Methods Of Compliance
GENERAL TYPES OF CONTROLS:
Methods of Compliance Include: Implementation of a Written Program. Establishment of Best Work Practices. Establishment of Engineering Controls. Establishment of Administrative Controls. Regular Evaluation of Mechanical Safety Systems. Evaluation of Each Facility Where Hydrogen Sulfide is Used. Use of Personal Protective Equipment As a Last Resort. On-Going Review of the Programs Effectiveness.

Methods Of Compliance

(Continued)

ENGINEERING CONTROLS:
CONSISTS OF: Design and installation of new or modified safety control systems. Detailed preventative maintenance programs for on site maintenance activities. Proper placement of storage systems to reduce potential effects during emergencies.

Detection Systems.

Hydrogen Sulphide Fixed Detection System

Areas where an accumulation of H2S is possible may be monitored by use of fixed detectors that react to H2S and give early warning of its presence. However, these should not be relied on to prove the area is clear of an H2S hazard.

Hydrogen Sulphide Hand Held Detection System

Atmospheric detection equipment working on the same principle as flammable gas detectors. These are usually incorporated within multi meters in that it monitors for more than one contaminate. H2S, CO, O2 and Combustible.

Methods Of Compliance

(Continued)

ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS:
Assignment of Responsibility.

Support From Upper Management.

On-Site Safety Inspections and Audits. Written Policies - Establishment of Site Safety Protocols. Training - Job Specific Training Programs. Checklists - Job Specific Safety Checklists, MSDS. Placement of Warning Signs and Employee Information.

Methods Of Compliance

(continued)

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: Full body skin protection for potentially exposed workers. Proper gloves to prevent hand exposure. Adequate Eye and Face Protection.

Full body protection from extreme cold.

Exposure Control

(Continued)

EXPOSURE INFORMATION:
Means to Achieve Safety Compliance: Each job where hydrogen sulfide is used will have a written description of the specific means that will be employed to achieve compliance, including engineering plans and studies used to determine methods selected for controlling safety of hydrogen sulfide. Ensuring employees are familiar with written safety policies.

Effects on equipment
Corrosiveness

Hydrogen Sulphide is highly corrosive, especially in association with moisture or oxidizing gases such as Oxygen and Carbon Monoxide. Iron and steel are particularly vulnerable.

Effects on equipment
Corrosion mechanisms associated with Hydrogen Sulphide include:

general corrosion
pitting crevice corrosion, including Sulphide Stress Corrosion Cracking which can lead to sudden and catastrophic failure Hydrogen induced cracking, also known as hydrogen embrittlement Any equipment likely to be exposed to Hydrogen Sulphide must be made of appropriate materials, constructed and operated to take account of these corrosion problems.

Effects on equipment
Pyrophoric Scale

Carbon steel lines and equipment that carry gas or liquids containing hydrogen sulphide may develop a layer of pyrophoric scale (iron sulphide) on their internal surfaces. When these lines or equipment are opened up to atmosphere, oxygen from the atmosphere will react with the pyrophoric scale to produce spontaneous burning. If hydrocarbons or other combustible substances are present during this reaction, an explosion may result. Warning: A by-product of this oxidising process is Sulphur Dioxide, which is also toxic.

Effects on equipment
Whenever such lines and equipment are opened up to atmosphere, their internal surfaces should be doused thoroughly with water or blanketed by steam in order that any pyrophoric scale is rendered harmless. Warning: Equipment and pipework that has been on sourgas duty should only be opened in one place at a time unless the pyrophoric scale has been thoroughly wetted. Opening the system in more than one place can cause through drafts capable of igniting the scale.

Effects on equipment
If the introduction of water is not permissible, either due to corrosion potential or the risk of freezing, a nitrogen purge followed by a further purge with a mixture of 5% oxygen in nitrogen will allow controlled oxidation. Pyrophoric scale that has been removed from lines and equipment shall be placed in a drum and immediately covered with water. Burying or burning in a suitable area as determined by legislation (onshore situations)

It must then be disposed of by:

Slurrying with water and storing in sealed drums, clearly marked PYROPHORIC SCALE.

Harweel H2S Management Philosophy (PR1078)

H2S in the upstream oil and gas industry comes from:

The original reservoir, as a result of the hydrocarbon source material and the conditions under which it was converted to oil and gas. If this is the case then H2S will be produced with the fluids The reservoir after prolonged injection of water with oxygen (brackish or formation water) which may result in 'souring' of the fluids within it due to the action of sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB) introduced during the injection process.

Any H2S will be subsequently produced with fluids.

H2S level comparison

ppm H2S

1 10
SWEET

100 1,000 10,000 100,000 1,000,000

LOW-RISK SOUR HIGH-RISK SOUR

PDO H2S SAFETY CRITERIA 500ppm

NATURAL H2S ENRICHED GAS ACID GAS

HARWEEL H2S LEVELS 50,000 200,000ppm

H2S Management
Project will be implementing novel and more stringent safety criteria for H2S management, in line with industry Best Practices. Fit-for-purpose sour gas safety regime will reduce sour gas risks at Harweel. To achieve this, expert advice on sour gas safety from Shell Canada and other agencies has been sought.

Key elements of H2S Management

Safety and Risk Management Materials Selection Instrumented Protective Functions (IPF) and Engineered Safeguarding Emergency Response Operations Competency and Training Reliability and Maintenance. Managing Simops.

Harweel H2S Management Philosophy (PR1078)

A facility shall be classed as being in sour service, with respect to personnel safety, when the gas phase of samples that have been reduced to atmospheric conditions contain 50ppm (v/v) or more of H2S. Periodic sampling and reassessment will be applied to maintain facility classifications up to date. Sour service facilities shall be classified into three categories; Low Risk Sour, High Risk Sour and Very High Risk Sour. The classification will be determined by assessment of the risk to personnel of an accidental release of process fluids, using gaseous dispersion calculations, and shall be agreed by Operations Asset Management

Harweel H2S philosophy

Facilities shall be designed and operated such that H2S exposure risk is reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). A means of detection of the presence of H2S shall be available to personnel in facilities classed as sour service. Detection devices shall be set to give an alarm when the H2S concentration in air (ambient conditions) exceeds 10ppm.

Harweel H2S philosophy

Access to sour service facilities will be controlled, with entry to very high risk sour facilities, e.g. Harweel, Birba, Al Noor, governed by specific access restrictions. Personnel entering a sour service facility shall be trained in H2S awareness and the appropriate action to be taken if released H2S is detected. Respiratory protective (escape) equipment shall be available to personnel entering areas classified as High Risk Sour service facilities.

Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) Management Procedure

The scope shall provide clear procedures to manage:

Location and control of sampling points Risk Assessment Facility H2S classification management

Sampling and frequencies

Personnel Training Access Control

H2S Safety

Risk Assessment
The initial risk assessment for facilities that shall handle H2S is made during the concept, FEED and Detailed Design phase. Equipment and systems shall be designed and use only materials suitable for use with H2S. Every effort shall be made to minimise the possibility of leaks to as low as reasonably possible (ALARP). Reference should be made to SP-1190 Design of Sour Services Specification. Process engineering shall also be responsible for ensuring that the correct Classification is applied based on the highest level of H2S expected to be present in the gas phase of the streams.

Risk Assessment
Future risk assessment shall be carried out as required if additions or modifications are made to the facility / plant or when the level of H2S present in the gas phase of the streams changes as indicated by sampling routines.

Facility H2S Classification Management

H2S Concentration (ppm) in the Gas Phase 0 to 49 Category

Sweet

50 to 499

Low Risk Sour

> 500

High Risk Sour (Further Assessment based on Quantitative Risk Assessment)

Very High Risk Sour (classification based on Quantitative Risk Assessment)

Risk Assessment
For further assessment i.e. >500 ppm in gas stream the concentration at potential leak points is used to establish the correct category. The assessment takes a distance of 2 meters from the potential leak point and calculates the H2S concentration in air. If the calculations indicate the concentration to be < 200 ppm then the site will be categorised low risk sour; if above 200 ppm then the category shall be high risk sour. This does not apply to Very High Risk Sour.

Personnel Training

All personnel who work in an H2S environment shall be adequately trained in how to deal with the hazards associated with H2S in accordance with the needs specific to their job and operate the safety equipment required to work in an environment containing H2S.

You have completed the HYDROGEN SULPHIDE SAFETY Training Course THANK YOU!