H2S Safety

 

H2S Safety

What is H2S?

H2S has many names such as Hydrogen Sulphide, Sulfuretted (or sulfureted) hydrogen, sulphurated hydrogen; sulfane; sulfur hydride; dihydrogen monosulfide; hydro sulfuric acid; sewer gas; stink damp; rotten egg gas

It is a colorless, very poisonous, flammable gas with the characteristic foul ardor of rotten eggs. This is slightly heavier than air and when it leaks, it moves into low lying areas such as excavations, pits, drains etc. A mixture of H2S and air is explosive; H2S burns with a blue flame and forms sulfur dioxide (S02) which is also toxic gas.

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How does it Smell?

Smells like rotten eggs when in low concentration but when the H2S gas is in high concentration, it is ability to kill the sense of smell of human beings even breathed for longer periods at low concentrations. It kills your sense of smell.

Properties of H2S

 Highly Toxic

 Smells like rotten eggs when in low concentrations but when in high concentration it has ability to kill the sense of smell of human beings.

 Colorless, you cannot see it.

 Highly Flammable

 A mixture of air and H2S is explosive.

 Slightly heavier than air, settles in low lying areas.

 Soluble in water, it mixes in water.

 

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Permissible Exposure Limit

In Oil and Gas Industry, It is not allowed to work in presence of H2S gas, engineering controls shall be applied to remove and make the area gas free before starting the work. If hazard persists, then BA shall be used along with other controls. However, industry has set the following limits:

 Long term exposure limit (LTEL) is at 10 ppm for 8 hours a day, 5days a week. If a person works 8 hours a day 5 days a week in 10 ppm of H2S, he shall not have serious affects.

 Short term exposure limit (STEL) is at 15 ppm; A person can only work for 1 hour if the gas concentration is 15 ppm.

 PPM stands for Parts Per Million

Is H2S Flammable /Toxic

Both, H2S is extremely toxic gas; It can kill people immediately if exposed to high concentration of this gas.H2S gas is highly flammable and toxic.

 

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How would you protect yourself from H2S?

Following precautions shall be taken to work in areas where H2S can be present:

 Tolerate to enter in areas where H2S concentration is detected and is at or exceeding STEL (15 ppm and above)

 You should have H2S training.

 Get Permit

 Perform gas test and ensure that H2S or any other hazardous gas is not present in your work area.

 Confined spaces shall be properly ventilated before entry; ventilation shall continue until the space is cleared by persons.

 If entering a confined space, spading and de-spading, you shall use breathing apparatus if identified and specified in the permit and TRA for the job.

 Know the location of your muster Point and be aware of the wind direction.

 Never depend up on your nose to detect H2S.

 Always keep handheld gas detector in confined spaces and in most H2S potential areas.  

 

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Protect Yourself on Excavation Sites

 

Protect Yourself on Excavation Sites

Protect Yourself on Excavation Sites

1. OSHA requires a competent person to be on-site when doing excavations. That person must be able to recognize hazards that exist and hazards that could occur, and that person must have the authority to take action to correct those conditions. S/he must also inspect the excavation, the surrounding areas, and the protective systems every day before the start of work.

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2. For all excavations and trenches deeper than 5 feet, but less than 20 feet deep, you must use one of three methods:

 

a. Sloping or benching. Sloping involves cutting back the sides of the trench to a safe angle, so it won’t collapse. Benching is a variation that adds a series of benches (steps) that also approximate the safe sloping angle. The angle that you use for sloping depends on the soil type. Soil types are:  Solid rock, Type A, Type B and Type C (which is the least stable). However, using a cutback slope of 1-1/2 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical is a safe sloping angle for all soil types. Note: Type C soil can only be sloped: it’s too unstable to be benched. 

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b. Trench box or shield: Although these are NOT designed to prevent cave-ins, they should protect workers within the structure if a cave-in occurs.

 

c. Shoring: 

These are structures built of timber, or they can be mechanical or hydraulic systems, that support the sides of an excavation. Sheeting is a type of shoring that keeps the earth in place.

 

3. With shoring and shielding, workers are only protected as long as they stay within the confines of the system.

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4. If the competent person sees signs of a possible cave-in, even at depths less than 5 feet, one of the protective systems must be used.

 

5. If the excavation is more than 20 feet deep, a professional engineer must design the system to protect the workers.

 

6. A ladder, stairway or properly designed ramp is required in any trench 4 feet or deeper at least every 25 lineal feet of the trench. It’s best to have one at each end of an excavation.

 

7. A competent person must determine the type of soil (Solid Rock, Type A, Type B, Type C) by using at least one visual and one manual test. This must be done before anyone enters the excavation.

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8. Hazardous atmospheres can sometimes be a danger in excavations. Air Testing is done in the following order, and hazards can include:

● Oxygen-deficient atmospheres can asphyxiate (suffocate) you. You need at least 19.5 percent oxygen. Normal level is 20.9 percent.

 

● Flammable gases or vapors, that reach a certain concentration known as their Lower Explosive Limit (LEL), can lead to fires and explosions. In Excavations, you can’t exceed 20 percent of the LEL. (In Confined Spaces – a different standard – it’s 10 percent of LEL.)

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● Toxic gases or vapors can poison you, leading to death or serious health problems. Don’t exceed Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs).

 

9. Remember: CALL BEFORE YOU DIG. 

Call to contact your local one-call service several days before you dig, to locate and mark with proper color codes all underground utilities. These could be: electrical, gas, water, sewer, steam, chemical and telecommunications. You must take additional precautions when reaching marked locations.

 

10.  BEWARE – SOIL IS VERY HEAVY! 

Some types of soil can weigh around 3,000 pounds (that’s 1.5 tons!) for every cubic yard. Don’t take chances – make sure a competent person has put a protective system in place before you start work.

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CONFINED SPACE ENTRY

Confined Space

A “confined space” is any work area which is not intended for continuous worker occupancy, and has, by design, structure, location, limited or restricted entry and/or exit and may contain or produce dangerous accumulations of hazardous gases, vapors, mists, dusts, fumes or biological agents and enrichment of, or lack of, oxygen in the confined space.

Entry into a Confined Space

Entry into a confined space is defined as the action by which a person passes through a limited opening into a restricted or potentially hazardous work area. Entry is considered to occur as soon as any part of the entrant’s body breaks the plane of the entry point into the confined space.

Competent Worker

- Adequately qualified, - Suitably trained, - With sufficient experience;,

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Hazards

Anything, by its nature that will or may, endangers the safety or health of a worker.

Hazards may include;

Toxic vapors, mists, or dusts from welding, cleaning, or powder coating.

Explosive atmospheres.

Lack of Oxygen, causing asphyxiation.

Electrical shock from powered tools or lights.

Physical hazards such as slipping or falling.

Entering a confined space without testing the atmosphere.

Leaking cutting/welding hoses inside the confined space.

Improper use, or not using, Personnel Protective Equipment.

Noise

Temperature extremes.

Insufficient rescue equipment or procedures.

Not following confined space entry procedures.

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Responsibilities

Supervisor

The supervisor in charge of the area for which the confined space entry will occur, is responsible to ensure that all preparations are in place for the safe entry of any worker.

Ensure workers involved in the confined space are trained in the conditions of

entry and the nature of any hazards they may be exposed to.

Ensure the appropriate PPE is available and in good working order.

Ensure rescue procedures, equipment and trained rescue personnel are in place.

Ensure a Confined Space “Safe Entry Tag” is completed.

Identify the “Class” of Confined Space.

Assign a safety watch person on the outside of the tank.

Periodically check the confined space entry jobs to ensure all Health & Safety procedures are being followed.

To immediately shut down any unsafe confined space entry job.

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Worker and any other Personnel entering the Confined Space

The worker prior to entering the confined space will ensure that all necessary precautions and procedures are in place to their satisfaction and then sign the Confined Space “Safe Entry Tag”.

Will wear all Personal Protective Equipment assigned to them, to ensure their safety and health according to the hazards of the confined space job.

Will inspect and use equipment and tools required to do the jobs inside the confined space, according to safe work practices and procedures.

Will monitor conditions inside the confined space and if conditions should change inside that are not accounted for on the “Safe Entry Tag” they will discontinue the work and exit the confined space until the new hazards have been addressed.

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Safety Watch

The qualified Safety Watch will ensure that all conditions on the “Safe Entry Tag” are complied with, prior to allowing anyone into the confined space.

Ensure all of the names of workers who will enter the confined space are on the “Safe Entry Tag”.

Will establish the communication system to be used with those workers who will enter the confined space.

Will know the location of the Confined Space Entry Rescue equipment.

Will sound the emergency alarm should workers inside the tank need to be rescued.

** Safety Watch personnel will never enter the confined space for any reason.

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Rescue Personnel

Only workers properly trained and equipped for confined space rescue shall attempt a rescue by entering a confined space.

A gas test of the confined space atmosphere must be done prior to any rescue personnel entering a confined space.

When workers in a confined space are wearing a safety harness and lanyard,

Rescue Personnel can work from the outside, without having to enter the confined space.

Rescue Personnel must be physically capable of carrying out a rescue, and must be trained in First Aid/CPR.

Communications must be available at the worksite to emergency response organizations i.e.; Fire Department, Ambulance.

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ABRASIVE WHEEL SAFETY

Hazards

Workers using hand and power tools may be exposed to these hazards:

Objects that fall, fly, are abrasive, or splash.

Harmful dusts, fumes, mists, vapors, and gases

Frayed or damaged electrical cords, hazardous connections, and improper grounding

Vibration and impact

Electrocution (PAT TESTING)

 

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Accidents

Contact Injuries 60%:

Touching wheel, burns, cuts, gashes, possible

Amputations, inadvertent, behavioral.

These can be prevented by training in the correct use.

 

Eye Injuries 30%:

Caused by lack of eye protection –

Must be impact 1grade Goggles or Full-face visor Grade 1B

These injuries can be prevented by wearing the correct PPE and deploying the

guard/deflector as trained

 

Burst Wheels 10%:

Various Causes, Manufacturing defect, incorrect use, behavioral, incorrect disc for application of work.

 

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Control Measures

Guarding is provided to contain fragments of the wheel that might fly off if it did burst so preventing injury to the user and others in the workplace.

The guards secondary use is deflection of the debris and sparks away from the operator.

Operators suitably trained in the correct handling and mounting of abrasive wheels (This is for portable grinders only)

Correct mounting will reduce the risk of bursting.

Use the double insulated body machines only.

 

Abrasive Wheel Use

To prevent cracking:

Fit the wheel freely on the spindle.

Tighten the spindle nut enough to hold the wheel in place without distorting the flange with spanner.

Let the tool come up to speed prior to grinding or cutting.

Don’t stand in front of the wheel as it comes up to full speed.

Use eye and/or face protection.

Ensure to do the pre inspection of machine, wheel and all the Personal Protective Equipment's.

 

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Power Tools - Precautions

Disconnect tools when not in use, before servicing and cleaning, and when changing accessories.

Keep people not involved with the work away from the work.

Secure work with clamps or a vise, freeing both hands to operate the tool.

Don’t hold the switch button while carrying a plugged-in tool.

Keep tools sharp and clean.

Remove damaged electric tools & tag them: “Do Not Use”.

Remember User Inspections

Portable Handheld Grinders

Inspect grinder housing to ensure no cracking/breakage.

Ensure that the cable is free from cracking/burning/broken sheath and that the plug is in good condition.

Must be 110 volts & Pat Tested

Discs inspected and in good condition (correct disc speed for grinder)

Second Handle fitted.

No exposed wires or lacerations on the cable

 

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SAFE PROCEDURE FOR GAS CYLINDER STORAGE

Cylinder should be stored in a clean, cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from boilers, or potential sources of heat and such place of storage shall be easily accessible. Always ensure the good housekeeping in the cylinder storage area.

The storage room shall be of fire resistant construction.

Cylinders should not be stacked in a horizontal position and not allowed from free fall. Ensure its secured chain preferably in the bottom and middle.

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Cylinders containing flammable/toxic gases to be kept separated from each other and cylinders containing different types of gases shall be stored at an adequate distance or by a suitable partition wall.

Empty cylinders should be separated from filled ones and care to be taken that all valves are tightly shut. The proper identification to be in place.

Avoid storage of cylinders in a corrosive atmosphere.

No inflammable material should be stored in the immediate vicinity of this cylinder or in the same room in which it is kept & no combustion activity / hot work around storage area.

Do not use oil or similar lubricant on the valves or other fittings of the cylinder.

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Discourage usage of magnets during loading or unloading operations of cylinders with any compressed gas.

No person shall smoke in the storage shed, or carry matches, fuses or other appliances that can cause ignition in the premises.

No Smoking Signs in English or any regional language shall be pasted at prominent locations outside the storage shed.

All cylinders shall have warning sticker, color coding & valve caps. Empty cylinders and all full cylinders should have the valve caps.

No throwing /duping of rolling at gas cylinder shall be allowed.

Use of non return valves and flash black arrestor.

Place fire extinguisher near the cylinder.

Store cylinders upright and secure them with a chain, strap, or cable to a stationary building support or to a proper cylinder cart to prevent them from tipping or falling.

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Store empty cylinders separate from full ones.

Completely close the valves, and keep the valve protection devices, such as caps or guards, securely in place.

Store cylinders in a dry, well-ventilated area at least 20 feet from combustible materials. Do not keep cylinders in lockers. If they leak, a buildup of flammable or other types of gases can occur inside the locker.

Mark the storage area with proper precautionary signs, such as flammable, oxidizer, or toxic.

Display the Safety Data Sheet in the Cylinder storage area.

Place them in a location where they will not be subject to mechanical or physical damage, heat, or electrical circuits to prevent possible explosion or fire. Keep cylinders away from vehicle traffic.

Keep oxygen cylinders 20 feet away from fuel-gas cylinders, such as acetylene, or separate them with a noncombustible barrier (such as a wall) at least 5 feet high with a fire-resistance rating of at least one-half hour.

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Carbon Monoxide Safety

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon monoxide (chemical abbreviation: CO) is a colorless, odorless, and highly poisonous gas. It is produced by the incomplete burning of fuels. Mostly you can find in the Steel Making Industries. Engines powered by gasoline, propane, or diesel release carbon monoxide. So do fuel-fired heaters and certain welding processes.

Since you cannot see or smell CO, you need a detector to warn if this hazard is present. Breathing in CO gas interferes with your body’s ability to use oxygen.

Eventually, it deprives the body tissues of the oxygen that it needs for survival.

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10 Simple Steps to Create a Safe Work Environment

CO gas can accumulate in any enclosed or poorly ventilated space where a source of CO is being operated. In this article we will discuss about the CO exposure and prevention for the construction workplace.

These include

• Vehicle and equipment cabs

• Parked vehicles

• Basements or parts of buildings under construction

• Tarped-in areas

• Parking and mechanic garages

• Workshops

• Warehouses

• Low-lying confined spaces (sewers, manholes, etc.).

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Symptoms and Health Effects

The health effects of CO will defend in the concentration of the exposure.

• Headache

• Fatigue

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Confusion

• Shortness of breath

• Impaired vision or hearing

At the first indication of symptoms, get into the fresh air. With severe exposure, seek immediate medical attention. Continued exposure can lead to loss of consciousness, arrested breathing, heart failure, and eventually death.

Workers with heart and lung disease are particularly sensitive to CO exposure. In addition, cigarette smokers have higher levels of CO in their blood and may experience the effects sooner than non-smokers.

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Prevention

Your organization Health and Safety Program should have written policies and procedures in place to control and monitor CO exposure in the workplace.

Ensure that the concentration of CO does not exceed the Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL).

OELs restrict the amount and length of time a worker can be exposed to hazardous chemicals in the air. Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents sets the OEL for carbon monoxide as 25 parts per million (ppm) for an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Exposure shall not exceed 75 ppm for any period of 30 minutes and 125 ppm at any time.

 

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Training and Education

• Inform workers about the health effects of CO exposure, sources of CO in the workplace, and precautions that must be followed to ensure they are not exposed.

• Do not allow workers to work alone in places where CO may accumulate.

• Teach workers how to operate fuel-powered equipment safely.

Air Gas Testing in the Workplace

Use a direct-reading instrument like portable gas detector or fix the gas detector in the workplace to test the air and warn workers about dangerous levels of CO. Units designed for in-home use are not suitable for the workplace. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

 The Role of Machine Guarding in Workplace Safety

Tools and Equipment

• Where possible, operate all fuel-powered tools and equipment outdoors. For example, put welding machines and generators outside and run the leads

or the pump into the building.

• If fuel-powered tools and equipment must be used inside, avoid unnecessary idling, racing the engine, or braking erratically.

• Inspect and maintain fuel-powered tools and equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure they run properly and as cleanly

as possible. Look for such things as leaking exhaust connections or manifolds, as well as loose or broken floor boards, exhaust pipes, and mufflers. Ensure that the air intake and fuel systems are working correctly.

• Never run an engine in an enclosed space unless a ventilation or exhaust system is available and working properly.

• Use electric tools or equipment where possible and when working in poorly ventilated areas.

• Use an indirect-fired heater for heating the work area rather than a direct-fired heater (e.g., open-flame or closed-flame heater). Indirect-fired heaters vent

combustion by-products (including CO) outdoors while directing the heated air inside.

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The Benefits of Implementing a Safety Culture in Your Workplace

Ventilation

• Make sure the work area is well-ventilated.

• Keep doors and windows open, if possible.

• Use fans to bring in fresh air from outside.

• When necessary, use exhaust hoses to draw engine exhaust out of the work area. If ventilation remains inadequate after implementing these control measures, use a supplied-air respirator.

The Importance of Training and Education in HSE