2. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 1 Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) Awareness Training Presented by: REY A. SIGNIO, NFPA/CSP NABORS/POOL SAUDI ARABIA

3. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 2 Terms u LEL - Lower Explosive Limit u UEL - Upper Explosive Limit u IDLH - Immediately Dangerous to Life & Health u PEL - Permissible Exposure Limit u TWA – Time Weighted Average u STEL – Short Term Exposure Limit (15 minutes)

4. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 3 Terms u PPM = Parts Per Million u Unit of measurement for toxic gases like H 2 S u Volumetric Measure - 1% by Vol. = 10,000 PPM u 1 PPM is equal to u 1 ounce of sand in 31 tons (1 gram in 1,000 Kg) u 1 inch in 15¾ miles (1 mm in 1 Kilometer) u 1 second in 11½ days  An IDLH concentration of 100 PPM equals.36 inches on a American football field (100 yards or 3600 inches)

5. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 4 Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) u Acutely Toxic u Inhibits enzymes in the blood from using oxygen u Effects respiration u Shuts down involuntary muscles that control breathing u Can cause death if inhaled in the right concentration

6. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 5 u Colorless Gas Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) Can’t be seen in a gas form

7. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 6 u Heavier than air in pure (100%) concentration u When mixed with other gases, mixture may be lighter than air. Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) Sample for H 2 S at high and low levels H2SH2S Air

8. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 7 u Rotten egg smell Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) At low levels 15 PPM or less. May loose sense of smell at 15 PPM or less.

9. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 8 u Very Corrosive Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) Will cause corrosion of metals (Sulfide stress cracking, Iron sulfide scale)

10. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 9 u Soluble in water and petroleum hydrocarbons. u As fluid temperature rises more H2S is released from solution. Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) H2SH2SH2SH2S H2SH2S H2SH2SH2SH2SH2SH2S H2SH2S

11. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 10 u Flammable (3 times that of methane) 4% to 45% by volume. 40,000 to450,000 PPM Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S)

12. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 11 Where do you find Hydrogen Sulfide ? (H 2 S) u Oil & Gas from Exploration to Refining

13. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 12 Where do you find Hydrogen Sulfide ? (H 2 S) u Oil & Gas u from Exploration to Refining u Sewer Systems

14. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 13 Where do you find Hydrogen Sulfide ? (H 2 S) u Oil & Gas u from Exploration to Refining u Sewer System u Chemical Plants

15. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 14 Where do you find Hydrogen Sulfide ? (H 2 S) u Oil & Gas u from Exploration to Refining u Sewer System u Chemical Plants u Pulp & Paper

16. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 15 How does H 2 S effect you ? The way H 2 S affects you depends on the following factors: u Duration (amount of time of exposure) u Frequency (# of times exposed in a day) u Intensity (concentration of H2S exposure in PPM)

17. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 16 DO NOT RELY ON YOUR SENSE OF SMELL TO DETECT H 2 S!!! WARNING!!!WARNING!!!

18. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 17 Physiological Effects u Eye irritation u Mild headache u Nausea u Irrational behavior u Dizziness

19. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 18 Permissible Exposure Limits u OSHA - 10 PPM u OSHA - 20 PPM Ceiling, 50 PPM Max-Peak (10 Minutes) u NIOSH - 10 PPM Ceiling u ACGIH - 10 PPM PEL-TWA Protective breathing apparatus must be worn when when working in an area where the H 2 S level exceeds the 10 PPM PEL.

20. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 19 H 2 S is flammable u Flammable range is 4.0 to 45% by volume u Ignition temperature is 500°F u Pure H 2 S burns with blue flame u Burning produces SO 2 (also very toxic and heavier than air but tends to rise with the heat of combustion) and heavier than air but tends to rise with the heat of combustion)

21. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 20 Special Health Problems u Emphysema (abnormal dilation of air spaces, distention of walls) u Bronchial Asthma u Heart Disease u Diabetes u Eye Infections u Anemia (low red blood cells, hemoglobin, or volume) u Alcohol Consumption u Psychiatric Problems u Smoking

22. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 21 Protective Breathing Apparatus u Escape Unit u Plastic Hood u Minimum 5 minutes u Escape only

23. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 22 u SCBA u Work or Rescue u Maximum Mobility u Escape Use u 30, 45 and 60 Minute rated Units Typically found u Acutal time may vary based upon individuals. Protective Breathing Apparatus

24. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 23 u Work Unit u Airline (Cascade system) use u 5 to 15 Minute Escape Bottle u Limited mobility Protective Breathing Apparatus

25. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 24 Problems in respirator use u Facial Hair (beards & long sideburns) u Contact Lenses u Corrective Spectacles u Punctured Ear Drum u Psychological Disturbances u Other Sealing Problems u scars, hollow temples, prominent cheek bones, deep skin creases, lack of teeth, dentures

26. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 25 Rescue Procedures 1. Call for Help! 2. Put on SCBA rescue unit. 2.Remove victim to fresh air. -Go upwind or crosswind. 3.If breathing, maintain victim at rest and have trained personnel administer O 2. 4.If not breathing, start artificial respiration.

27. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 26 5. Transport person to doctor or hospital. 6. Keep person lying down and keep warm. 7. If eyes are affected, wash with clean water 8. Do not return to work until cleared by a doctor. Rescue Procedures

28. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 27 Detecting H 2 S u Portable Monitors u Continuous single gas personal monitoring u Audible/Visual/Vibrating Alarms u Multi-Gas Monitoring

29. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 28 Detecting H 2 S u Fixed Monitors u Central Controller u Remote Sensors u Siren & Strobe Alarms

30. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 29 u Detector Tubes u Measured by length of Stain u Fairly Accurate u Takes Time u “Spot Checking” u Many Gases u High Concentrations Detecting H 2 S

31. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 30 Safety Measures u When approaching jobsite u Observe “condition” signs & warning alarms u Check wind direction u Look for personnel and their activity u Enter jobsite slowly u Locate assembly point/safe area u Minimum of two escape routes u Continuous monitoring

32. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 31 Safety Measures - cont’d. u Eliminate ignition sources and enforce “NO SMOKNG” u Conduct emergency drills u Forced ventilation can reduce H 2 S exposure risk u Observe wind direction u Move upwind or crosswind from source

33. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 32 Safety Measures - cont’d. Wind Direction Source Work Area “A” Work Area “B” Safe Area

34. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 33 Safety Measures - cont’d. u Avoid low lying areas u Pure (100%) H 2 S is heavier than air u Use the “Buddy System” u Maintain and observe warning signs u Post emergency numbers, maintain communications systems.

35. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 34 Safety Measures - cont’d. u Locate emergency stations at least 250 ft. from H 2 S source. u H 2 S can be flared. (Produces SO 2 ) u Know your company’s H 2 S “EMERGENCY PROCEDURES!!”

36. © 1998 ZAFF INTERNATIONAL LTD. 35 Thank You