Hydrogen Sulfide gas is very corrosive and causes metals to become brittle.
Therefore, employers need to take special precautions when choosing equipment when they may reasonably expect to encounter H2S. This may
include appropriate H2S trimming of equipment in accordance with National
Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) Standards.
All well-drilling sites should be classified according to areas of
potential and/or actual exposure to H2S. The recommendations and
employee instruction will vary depending on the type of area.
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Fig. 1.
Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign |
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Additional Information:
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-
Recommended Safe
Procedures and Guidelines for
Oil and Gas Well Servicing.
Association of Energy Services Companies (AESC).
- OSHA Fact Sheet. 54 KB
PDF, 2 pages.
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Use of Anchors and Guywires. 72 KB
PDF, 12 pages.
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Use of Compressed Gas Cylinders. 12 KB
PDF, 3 pages.
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Crane Operation. 15 KB
PDF, 4 pages.
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Proper Electrical Safety (including hot sticks). 17 KB
PDF, 4 pages.
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Hot Work. 9 KB
PDF, 2 pages.
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Fall Protection Systems. 16 KB
PDF, 4 pages.
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H2S - Hydrogen Sulfide. 14 KB
PDF, 2 pages.
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Respirator Usage. 68 KB
PDF, 18 pages.
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Use of wooden, metal and plastic (fiberglass) portable ladders. 17
KB
PDF, 4 pages.
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Scaffolding. 23 KB
PDF, 7 pages.
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Vehicle Operation. 10 KB
PDF, 2 pages.
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Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA Directorate of Technical
Support and Emergency Management at 202-693-2300 for assistance
accessing PDF materials.
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 No Hazard
Condition |
Any
well that will not penetrate a known Hydrogen Sulfide formation would be
categorized as a No Hazard Area. Special Hydrogen Sulfide equipment is not
required.
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| API
Condition
I - Low Hazard |
Work locations where atmospheric concentrations of H2S are less than 10ppm.
Recommended for Area:
- Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign with green flag warning device
present.
- Keep all safety equipment in adequate working order.
- Store the equipment in accessible locations.
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| API
Condition
II - Medium Hazard |
Work locations where atmospheric concentrations of H2S are greater than 10ppm
and less than 30ppm.
Recommended for Area:
- Legible Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign with yellow flag warning device
present.
- Keep a safe distance from dangerous locations if not working to decrease
danger.
- Pay attention to audible and visual alarm systems.
- Follow the guidance of the operator representative.
- Keep all safety equipment in adequate working order.
- Store the equipment in accessible locations.
- An oxygen resuscitator.
- A properly calibrated, metered hydrogen sulfide detection instrument.
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| API Condition
III - High Hazard |
Work locations where atmospheric concentrations of H2S are greater than 30ppm.
Recommended for Area:
- Post legible Hydrogen Sulfide warning sign with red flag warning device.
- Post signs 500 feet from the location on each road leading
to the location, warning of the hydrogen sulfide hazard.
- Check all Hydrogen Sulfide safety equipment to ensure
readiness before each tour change.
- Establish a means of communication or instruction for emergency procedures and maintain them on location, along with contact information
of persons to be informed in case of emergencies.
- Ensure usability of two exits at each location.
- Do not permit employees on location without hydrogen Sulfide
safety training. (Employees may be permitted on location for specific Hydrogen Sulfide training purposes that does not include general rig training.)
- Pay attention to audible and visual alarm systems.
- Store the equipment in accessible locations.
- Two Hydrogen Sulfide detectors should be present (one should be a properly calibrated,
metered detection instrument, and the other should be a pump type with
detector tubes. The maximum permissible exposure limit (PEL) is 20
ppm. Respiratory protection would be required if periodic testing
indicates employee exposures to H2S at concentrations above the
PEL. See OSHA Standard Respiratory
Protection, [29 CFR 1910.134]).
- Oxygen resuscitator.
- Three wind socks and streamers.
- Two NIOSH/MSHA 30-minute, self-contained breathing apparatus for emergency
escape from the contaminated area only.
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