Know the Chemical Hazards and Hydrogen Sulfide! Alberta Oil Tool's #Safety Moments of the Week 07-Nov-2016

1. KNOW THE CHEMICAL HAZARDS!
Safety Moment of the Week
NOVEMBER 6TH – 12th, 2016
Chemicals can enter the body through various paths:
• Lungs: inhaling dusts, fumes, vapors, or gases;
• Skin: chemicals coming in contact with skin; and
• Digestive system: ingesting chemicals;
Effects of chemical exposure:
• Acute: immediate outcomes upon exposure; and
• Chronic: outcome from repeated exposure over longer duration
• Don’t assume you aren’t being exposed just because you don’t
experience immediate health outcomes: it may take days, months, years,
to see chronic effects.
How to use chemicals safely:
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): always read these first to learn about
how to use the chemical safely and the hazards of the chemical;
• Substitution: use a less hazardous chemical to do the job;
• Ventilation: use ventilation or work in a well-vented area when using or
generating inhalation hazards (welding, spray painting, etc.);
• Storage: segregate incompatible chemicals and protect flammable
chemicals from ignition sources;
• Hygiene: wash your hands after use
and prevent chemicals from getting
on your clothes;
• Labeling and signage: always label
containers with their content and
hazards (e.g. NFPA Diamond);
• Work practices: always use chemicals
in such a way that minimizes exposure.

2. Safety Moment of the Week
November 6th
– 12th
, 2016
Know the Chemical Hazards!
OSHA’s hazard communication standard, also known as the “employee right-to-know”
standard, is designed to help protect workers from the hazards of exposures to harmful
chemicals. An important section of that standard is a requirement that employees be
informed about the chemical effects associated with the hazardous products we use at work.
However, you may not have heard of many of the terms that appear on some product labels
and material safety data sheets to describe chemical hazards & effects, or the terms may not
have been adequately defined. So here are some simple explanations of a few key terms:
Toxic- Over-exposure to a toxic chemical can have a poisonous effect on a person, attacking
their total body, or particular organs (example: prolonged exposure to arsenic is toxic to
kidneys, lungs, the nervous system, and mucous membranes).
Carcinogen– The chemical is believed to cause cancer when over - exposure occurs.
Irritant– The chemical causes a reversible inflammatory effect (such as dermatitis) on living
issue (such as skin, mucous membranes, or lungs) at the site of contact.
Corrosive- The chemical causes visible destruction of, or visible alterations in, living tissue at
the site of contact (ex. Battery acid will burn the skin)
Sensitizer- The chemical causes many people to develop an allergic reaction in tissue after
repeated exposures (ex. Isocyanates in some paints and foam products)
Flammable Liquid- A liquid that emits enough vapors to catch on fire and burn at relatively low
temperatures (below 100 degrees Fahrenheit – 37.7 degrees Celsius). (ex. Gasoline is a
flammable liquid)
Combustible Liquid- A liquid that must be heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees
Celsius) or higher to emit enough vapors to catch on fire and burn. (ex. Diesel is a
combustible liquid)
These are very simple explanations of just some of the terms we hear used to describe health
and physical hazards. Take time to review the container label and the SDS for any product
that you are working with.

3. HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S)
Safety Moment of the Week
NOVEMBER 6TH – 12TH, 2016
WHAT IS IT? - Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable, extremely
hazardous gas with a “rotten egg” smell. It occurs naturally in crude
petroleum and natural gas, and can be produced by the breakdown of
organic matter and human/animal wastes (e.g., sewage). It is heavier
than air and can collect in low-lying and enclosed, poorly ventilated
areas such as basements, manholes, sewer lines and underground
telephone/electrical vaults.
SMELL TEST
• Can be smelled at low levels, but with continuous low-level exposure or at higher
concentrations you lose your ability to smell the gas even though it is still present.
• At high concentrations your ability to smell the gas can be lost instantly.
• DO NOT depend on your sense of smell indicating the continuing presence of this
gas or for warning of hazardous concentrations.
HEALTH EFFECTS
• Health effects vary with how long, and at what level, you are
exposed. Asthmatics may be at greater risk.
• Low concentrations – irritation of eyes, nose, throat, or respiratory
system; effects can be delayed.
• Moderate concentrations – more severe eye and respiratory
effects, headache, dizziness, nausea, coughing, vomiting and
difficulty breathing.
• High concentrations – shock, convulsions, unable to breathe, coma,
death; effects can be extremely rapid (within a few breaths).
BEFORE ENTERING AREAS WITH POSSIBLE HYDROGEN SULFIDE
• The air needs to be tested for the presence and concentration of hydrogen sulfide by
a qualified person using test equipment. This individual also determines if
fire/explosion precautions are necessary.
• If gas is present, the space should be ventilated.
• If the gas cannot be removed, use appropriate respiratory protection and any other
necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), rescue and communication
equipment. Atmospheres containing high concentrations (greater than 100 ppm) are
considered immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) and a self-contained
breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required.

4. Safety Moment of the Week
November 6th
– 12th
,,
2016
Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S)
Signs of H2S Exposure
 Eye Irritation
 Nausea
 Confusion
 Respiratory Irritation
 Pulmonary Edema
 Excitement
 Headaches
 Dizziness
 Disorientation
Four factors in how H2S affects an individual
Duration Length of time a person is exposed
Frequency How often a person has been exposed
Intensity What concentration a person was exposed to
Individual Susceptibility Person’s physiological makeup
Body mass
Overall physical condition
Age
Smoker/Nonsmoker
Personal Biochemistry
Acceptable Exposure Limits
Permissive Exposure Limit
Maximum 10 ppm during an eight hour workday, also known
as the Time Weighted Average (TWA)
Short Term Exposure Limit
Maximum 15 ppm for 15 minutes four times per work day
When H2S cannot be removed from the air, the only way to protect yourself is to remove yourself from
the gas by physically removing yourself from the area or putting on a self-breathing apparatus
(SCBA) or work-line device.