This training should include emergency plans, locations of safety equipment, rescue techniques and location of a safety line for rapid exit from a confined space or remote location (when needed), first-aid, and proper rescue procedures for first responders. Proper PPE for use with H2S should be a part of the training and education for any workers and also any visitors who may become exposed to the gas on the work site. As always, when working in confined spaces, ventilation should operate continuously. Identification of Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Exposure zones. H2S can corrode some materials, so the materials used in any PPE manufactured for the use of a worker exposed to H2S must meet industry standards and any compliance regulations. Weather conditions and temperatures can also have an impact and safety policy must include directives about this. Again, the need for this extra layer of protection will depend on the work being done and the environment it is being done in. Hydrogen sulfide is flammable, so protective gloves and clothing are needed in some cases. Exposures above 100 ppm are considered immediately dangerous to life and health, and employers will need to direct the use of a full face pressure demand self-contained breathing apparatus. For exposures at or above 100 ppm, there is a danger of "gas eye" and conjunctivitis with respiratory tract irritation. If the respirator you're using does not cover the eyes, additional eye protection will be needed, since prolonged exposure may cause nausea, tearing of the eyes, headaches or loss of sleep. If you're using a full-face respirator, the eye protection is already part of the equipment. The exact respirator standards should be discussed with a qualified safety professional, but for the purpose of this Q&A, it should be noted that the respirator must be a positive-pressure, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). This program must include proper respirator selection, fit testing, medical evaluations, and training (select the right device with 6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Respiratory Protection Device). Whenever respirators are used, the employer must have a respiratory protection program that meets the requirements of OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard (.134). OSHA mandates what PPE is required when workers are either directly exposed to H2S or working near a site where the gas is present. Following that, occupational health and safety best practices suggest that the employer implement and maintain control exposures with personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe work practices to reduce exposures (learn more about using the right equipment in Avoiding Injury: Reasons for Using the Correct Safety Equipment). The first line of defense should involve a qualified professional conducting a thorough assessment with testing monitors to determine how much of the H2S can be eliminated at the source. Exactly what kind is necessary will depend on the conditions of each work site, including how much H2S gas is present and at what levels. The 30 second interval is adjustable.There are several types of PPE that can be used to protect workers from harmful hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure. The 3 LED lights will continue to flash once every 30 seconds until the non-compliance condition has been resolved. The instrument flashes it’s 3 LED lights every 30 seconds in the following conditions if the instrument has not been bump tested, or if calibration is due, or if there was a gas alarm event. Safety supervisors will appreciate the non-compliance indicator. H2S and CO are now available in a combo micro sensor. The new O2 sensor is electrochemical with a 5 year life span. If one filament gets poisoned the second filament takes over. The LEL sensor has a unique design with two active filaments in one sensor to increase it’s resistance to silicone poisoning. The GX-3R represents the latest evolution of gas detection technology utilizing a new generation of micro sensors. It simultaneously monitors and displays LEL combustibles, O2, CO (Hydrogen compensated CO also available), and H2S. The GX-3R is the worlds smallest 4 gas monitor weighing only 3.52 ounces and can comfortably be clipped within a worker's breathing zone (2.2” W x 2.55” H x 1.02” D). Now there is a 4 gas monitor smaller than many single gas monitors. Traditionally this means only a single gas monitor would be small enough for a worker to practically wear a gas monitor ‘In the breathing zone’. Air sampling filters may be attached to the collar or lapel. OSHA defines the breathing zone as a ten inch radius around the worker's nose and mouth, and requires that worker exposure monitoring air samples be collected in the breathing zone. At low concentrations, it smells like 'rotten eggs,' but at higher concentrations it does not have a noticeable odor. It is heavier than air and may travel along the ground or accumulate in low-lying areas. It is a colorless gas that is highly toxic and extremely flammable. World’s Smallest and Lightest Gas Monitors H 2 S or sour gas is often found in oil and gas formations.
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