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Hydrogen Sulfide

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Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is an invisible hazard that can be released and produced during industry processes, such as drilling.

H2S can also develop naturally in oxygen deficient environments, such as bogs, swamps, polluted water, and manure pits.

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H2S can collect in: Low-lying areas Any enclosed facility or piping that

contains H2S or H2S-contaminated fluids

Pits Tanks Vacuum trucks Confined spaces

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At high concentrations, H2S can kill in a single breath.

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Multiple agencies provide guidelines to help workers avoid H2S exposure, including the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

ANSI recently updated its Z-390 standard for Accepted Practices for Hydrogen Sulfide Safety Training Programs.

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The 2006 version of the ANSI Z-390 standard was revised to address:

References to obsolete technologyNon-flexible presentation formatRequired presentation of material that wasn’t pertinent to most workersStructure of documentVisitor trainingRefresher trainingThreshold limit value–time-weighted average (TLV-TWA)

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The updated 2017 version of the ANSI Z-390 standard now:

References updated technologyHas flexible structure open to partial remote instructionStates that students must be presented with relevant information to ensure their safetyHas an improved structureStates that visitors must receive full worker training programRequires refresher training annually with full course presentationIncludes the updated American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) TLV-TWA

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Companies must use engineering and administrative controls to protect workers from H2S exposure and provide workers with training appropriate to their potential level of exposure to H2S.

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Some examples of what training should cover include:

Wind direction awareness and routes of egress

What to do in an emergency Participating in drills

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H2S goes by many names, including The Silent Killer, rotten egg gas, swamp gas, and sour gas.

Characteristics of H2S include: Highly toxic, colorless gas Extremely flammable, may ignite at

high temperatures Extremely explosive, containers of H2S

may explode if exposed to fire or handled carelessly


You can only smell low concentrations of H2S.

At high concentrations, H2S impairs and eventually wipes out your sense of smell. Do not use your nose to detect H2S.


You can be exposed to H2S through:

InhalationSkin contact

Inhalation is your

main concern.


Symptoms of H2S exposure include: Acute Toxicity Chronic Toxicity

• Loss of sense of smell• Excitement or

giddiness• Eye irritation• Coughing and

sneezing• Headaches• Nausea• Respiratory tract

irritation• Diarrhea

• Eye irritation • Corneal blistering, pitting,

and opacity• Headaches• Nausea• Respiratory tract irritation • Pulmonary edema• Loss of appetite • Sleep disturbances


The industry accepted exposure level for H2S is 10 ppm:

Check with your company for its accepted exposure level


If the H2S concentration may exceed 10 ppm, you need to wear a personal monitor:

Position the monitor as close to your mouth and nose as possible to measure air from the breathing zone

If your monitor goes off, leave the area immediately


Wind conditions tell you which way H2S will spread:

Check the windsock or streamer regularly and any time you are unsure which way the wind is blowing

Stay on the upwind side Make sure you are not downwind of

an H2S source Always move crosswind and

then upwind to get away from an H2S source


ANSI and the American Petroleum Institute (API) recommend wearing one of the following respirators when you work in environments with more than 10 ppm H2S:

Positive-pressure full-facepiece hoseline/airline supplied-air respirator (SAR) and carry an escape pack

Positive-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)


H2S is a deadly hazard that can kill you in a single breath. Know your role in your company’s H2S contingency plan and participate in drills.


Do not rely on your sense of smell to detect the presence of H2S.

Always wear a personal monitor when working in potential H2S environments. If your monitor goes off, leave the area immediately.

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