Corporate Training By Zack Academy - Hydrogen Sulfide Safety

What Is Hydrogen Sulfide? Hydrogen sulfide is the chemical compound with the formula H2S. It is a colorless gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs; it is heavier than air, very poisonous, corrosive, flammable and explosive.

How Can I Be Exposed to Hydrogen Sulfide Gas? The main way you can be exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas is by breathing it. You also can be exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas through skin and eye contact.

Exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas can occur in the home and in the workplace. In the home, exposure may occur because of faulty plumbing. Sewer drains that have dry traps can allow hydrogen sulfide gas to enter the home.

Workers involved in occupations such as livestock farming, sewage treatment and oil refining may be exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas at work. If you live in a neighborhood near these types of industry, you could be exposed to hydrogen sulfide by breathing the gas released into the air from activities at these facilities.

How Can Hydrogen Sulfide Affect My Health?  Hydrogen sulfide can affect several different systems in the body. Exposure to lower concentrations can cause eye irritation, a sore throat and cough, shortness of breath and fluid in the lungs. These symptoms usually go away in a few weeks after exposure ends. Long-term, low-level exposure may result in fatigue, loss of appetite, headaches, irritability, poor memory and dizziness. Breathing very high levels of hydrogen sulfide can cause death within just a few breaths. There could be a loss of consciousness after one or more breaths. This high level of exposure would not be expected in a home, but could occur in a workplace. 

Why Should You Take This Training?  Exposing your employees to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can result in serious health consequences, both in the long and short term. Whether you are in the oil and gas industry, petrochemical industry, or just have the potential to work with or around hydrogen sulfide, this Hydrogen Sulfide Safety course will provide every student with the necessary knowledge to adequately protect themselves from this extremely poisonous gas. This course exceeds the training requirements set forth by OSHA and the ANSI Z390.1 standard.

Topics to be Covered Include:

• Industrial History of H2S
• Toxicology
• Chemical Properties
• Physical Properties
• Common Names
• Emergency Procedures
• Rescue Procedures
• And Much More!