Understanding the Dangers of Hydrogen Sulfide Gas
Hydrogen
sulfide (H2S) gas is produced as a result of the microbial breakdown
of organic materials in the absence of oxygen. It can be found in tanks,
vaults, voids, and other confined spaces at industrial facilities including
power plants.
Besides
being flammable and corrosive, H2S is also colorless and toxic, even
in relatively low concentrations, so it is extremely hazardous to workers. In
fact, it is the second-most-common cause of workplace inhalation fatalities
behind carbon monoxide. H2S is noticeable initially by its rotten
egg smell, but the gas can deaden senses making it difficult for workers to
detect without a gas monitor.
Veriforce CEO Colby Lane and Chris Detillier, senior safety analyst with Veriforce, were guests on The POWER Podcast. Veriforce is a leading provider of software and services that enhance workforce and community safety. Among its offerings is a training course called H2S Clear, which provides students with life-saving information while meeting the compliance requirements of ANSI/ASSP standards.
“[H2S is] extremely toxic. As little as 700 parts per million can cause someone to immediately collapse, and they can die from it,” Detillier said. “So, it is very important to have a good training program in place.”
Lane
explained that Veriforce’s training model essentially credentials and accredits
instructors. Then, those instructors provide the training to actual workers.
Detillier
said he’s received a lot of positive feedback every time he’s taught a “train-the-trainer”
class for H2S Clear. “We’ve had guys that have been in the industry
for years—some of them who have previously been through H2S training—and
after class would tell me how much that they learned from the class and appreciate
the content that we have in there.”
Listen
to The POWER Podcast to hear the
complete interview. Follow the links below to
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—Aaron Larson is POWER’s executive editor (@AaronL_Power,
@POWERmagazine).