Canadian Federal H2S Regulations
Hydrogen Sulphide (also called “sour gas”, “sewer gas”)
This is not an official source of information. It has been assembled as a convenience to students for reference and further study. Some extracts from official sources such as Regulations are provided. These are not guaranteed to completely cover all the material available in the Regulations. URL’s of those official sources are provided to allow the full text to be consulted.
Other sources of Hydrogen Sulphide safety information for Federal:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/alt_formats/hecs-sesc/pdf/pubs/water-eau/sulphide-sulfure/sulphide-sulfure-eng.pdf
CANADA LABOUR CODE
Oil and Gas Occupational Safety and Health Regulations
SOR/87-612
Registration October 22, 1987
http://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/regu/sor-87-612/latest/sor-87-612.html
Regulations Made Under Part II of the Canada Labour Code Respecting Occupational Safety and Health of Employees Employed on or in Connection with Exploration or Drilling for, or the Production, Conservation, Processing or Transportation of, Oil or Gas in Canada Lands, as Defined in the Canada Oil and Gas Act (SOR/87-612)
Interpretation
1.1 In these Regulations,
“CPR course” means a training course in cardiopulmonary resuscitation based on the publication of the Journal of the American Medical Association entitled Standards and Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care, dated June 6, 1986, as reprinted by the American Heart Association; (cours RCP)
“drill floor” means, in respect of a drilling rig or drilling unit, the stable platform surrounding the slip setting area that provides support for employees during drilling operations; (plancher de forage)
“drilling rig” means the plant and associated support equipment used to make a hole or well by boring or other means for geophysical, exploration or production purposes; (appareil de forage)
“drilling unit” means a drillship, submersible, semi-submersible, barge, jack-up or other vessel used in drilling and includes a drilling rig and other related facilities; (installation de forage)
“emergency first aid certificate” means the certificate issued by an approved organization for the successful completion of a first aid course of at least one day’s duration; (certificat de secourisme d’urgence)
“first aid attendant” means a medic or a qualified person who is a holder of an emergency first aid certificate, a standard first aid certificate, a mariners first aid certificate or an advanced first aid certificate or of a registered nurse’s certificate recognized under the laws of a province; (secouriste)
“first aid room” means a room used exclusively for first aid or medical purposes; (salle de premiers soins)
“standard first aid certificate” means the certificate issued by an approved organization for successful completion of a first aid course of at least two days’ duration; (certificat de secourisme général)
Application
1.3 (1) Subject to subsection (3), these Regulations, other than Part II, apply in respect of employees employed on or in connection with exploration or drilling for or the production, conservation, processing or transportation, other than transportation through an interprovincial pipeline, of oil or gas in Canada lands, as defined in the Canada Oil and Gas Act.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), Part II applies in respect of employees employed in Canada lands, as defined in the Canada Oil and Gas Act, on or in connection with the transportation of oil or gas through an interprovincial pipeline.
PART II
INTERPROVINCIAL PIPELINES
2.1 The Canada Occupational Safety and Health Regulations apply in respect of employees employed in Canada lands, as defined in the Canada Oil and Gas Act, on or in connection with the transportation of oil or gas through an interprovincial pipeline.
PART XII
CONFINED SPACES
Interpretation
12.1 In this Part, “confined space” means a storage tank, process vessel, ballast tank or other enclosure not designed or intended for human occupancy, except for the purpose of performing work,
(a) that has poor ventilation;
(b) in which there may be an oxygen deficient atmosphere; or
(c) in which there may be an airborne hazardous substance. (espace clos)
SOR/88-199, s. 19.
General
12.2 (1) Where a person is about to enter into a confined space, the employer shall appoint a qualified person to verify by tests that
(a) the concentration of any chemical agent in the confined space
(i) to which the person is likely to be exposed does not exceed the value referred to in subsection 11.23(1), and
(ii) does not exceed the percentage referred to in section 11.24;
(b) the concentration of airborne hazardous substances, other than chemical agents, in the confined space is not hazardous to the safety or health of the person;
(c) the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere in the confined space is not less than 18 per cent by volume and not more than 23 per cent by volume at normal atmospheric pressure and in any case the partial pressure of oxygen is not less than 135 mm Hg;
(d) the value, level or percentage referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) can be maintained during the period of proposed occupancy of the confined space by the person;
(e) any liquid in which a person may drown or any free-flowing solid in which a person may become entrapped has been removed so far as is practicable from the confined space;
(f) the entry of any liquid, free-flowing solid or hazardous substance into the confined space has been prevented by a secure means of disconnection or the fitting of blank flanges;
(g) all electrical and mechanical equipment that presents a hazard to a person entering into, exiting from or occupying the confined space has been disconnected from its power source and locked out; and
(h) the opening for entry into and exit from the confined space is sufficient in size to allow safe passage of a person who is using protection equipment.
(2) The qualified person referred to in subsection (1) shall, in a written report signed by him,
(a) set out
(i) the location of the confined space,
(ii) a record of the results of the tests made in accordance with subsection (1), and
(iii) an evaluation of the hazards of the confined space;
(b) where the employer has established procedures to be followed by a person entering into, exiting from or occupying the confined space, identify which of those procedures are to be followed;
(c) where the employer has not established procedures referred to in paragraph (b), set out the procedures to be followed by a person referred to in that paragraph;
(d) identify the protection equipment referred to in Part XIII that is to be used by every person granted access to the confined space;
(e) where the employer has established emergency procedures to be followed in the event of an accident or other emergency in or near the confined space, including immediate evacuation of the confined space when
(i) an alarm is activated, or
(ii) there is any significant change in the value, level or percentage referred to in subsection (1),
identify which of the procedures are to be followed;
(f) where the employer has not established emergency procedures referred to in paragraph (e), set out emergency procedures to be followed, including immediate evacuation of the confined space in the circumstances referred to in that paragraph; and
(g) specify the protection equipment, emergency equipment and any additional equipment to be used by an employee who undertakes rescue operations in the event of an accident or other emergency.
(3) The employer shall provide to each person granted access to the confined space the protection equipment referred to in subsection (2).
(4) The written report referred to in subsection (2) and any procedures identified therein shall be explained to an employee who is about to enter into the confined space, other than the qualified person referred to in subsection (1), and the employee shall acknowledge by signing a dated copy of the report that he has read the report and that the report and the procedures were explained to him.
(5) The employee referred to in subsection (4) shall be instructed and trained
(a) in the procedures referred to in subsection (2); and
(b) in the use of the protection equipment referred to in subsection (2).
(6) Every employee who enters into, exits from or occupies the confined space shall
(a) follow the procedures referred to in subsection (2); and
(b) use the protection equipment referred to in subsection (2).
SOR/88-199, s. 19; SOR/94-165, s. 46.
12.3 Where conditions in the confined space or the nature of the work to be performed in the confined space are such that subparagraph 12.2(1)(a)(i) and paragraphs 12.2(1)(c), (e) and (f) cannot be complied with, the following procedures shall apply:
(a) a qualified person trained in the procedures referred to in subsection 12.2(2) shall be
(i) in attendance outside the confined space,
(ii) in communication with the person inside the confined space, and
(iii) provided with a suitable alarm device for summoning assistance;
(b) every person granted access to the confined space shall be provided with and trained in the use of the protection equipment referred to in subsection 12.2(2);
(c) every employee entering into, exiting from and occupying the confined space shall wear a safety harness that is securely attached to a life line that
(i) is attached to a secure anchor outside the confined space, and
(ii) is controlled by the qualified person referred to in paragraph (a);
(d) two or more employees shall be in the immediate vicinity of the confined space to assist in the event of an accident or other emergency; and
(e) one of the employees referred to in paragraph (d) shall
(i) be trained in the emergency procedures referred to in subsection 12.2(2),
(ii) be a first aid attendant who has successfully completed a CPR course, and
(iii) be provided with the protection equipment and emergency equipment referred to in subsection 12.2(2).
SOR/94-165, s. 47.
12.4 Before a confined space is sealed, the person in charge of the area surrounding the confined space shall ascertain that no person is inside the confined space.
Ventilation Equipment
12.6 (1) Where a hazardous substance may be produced by hot work in a confined space,
(a) the confined space shall be ventilated in accordance with subsection (2); or
(b) every employee who enters into, exits from and occupies the confined space shall use a respiratory protective device that meets the requirements of section 13.7 of Part XIII.
(2) Where an airborne hazardous substance or oxygen in the atmosphere in a confined space is maintained at the value, level or percentage prescribed in subsection 12.2(1) by the use of ventilation equipment, no person shall be granted access to the confined space unless
(a) the ventilation equipment is
(i) equipped with an alarm that will, if the equipment fails, be activated automatically and be audible or visible to any person in the confined space, or
(ii) monitored by an employee who is in constant attendance at the equipment; and
(b) in the event of failure of the ventilation equipment, sufficient time will be available for the person to escape from the confined space before
(i) his exposure to or the concentration of a hazardous substance therein exceeds the value, level or percentage prescribed in paragraph 12.2(1)(a) or (b), or
(ii) the percentage of oxygen in the atmosphere ceases to meet the requirements of paragraph 12.2(1)(c).
(3) The employee referred to in subparagraph (2)(a)(ii) shall activate an alarm in the event of faulty operation of the ventilation equipment.
Respiratory Protection
13.7 (1) Subject to subsection (4), where there is a hazard of an airborne hazardous substance or an oxygen deficient atmosphere in a work place, the employer shall provide a respiratory protective device that is listed in the NIOSH Certified Equipment List as of October 1, 1984, dated February 1985, published by the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
(2) A respiratory protective device referred to in subsection (1) shall be selected, fitted, cared for, used and maintained in accordance with the standards set out in CSA Standard Z94.4-M1982, Selection, Care and Use of Respirators, the English version of which is dated May 1982, as amended to September 1984 and the French version of which is dated March 1983, as amended to September 1984, excluding clauses 6.1.5, 10.3.3.1.2 and 10.3.3.4.2(c).
(3) Where air is provided for the purpose of a respiratory protective device referred to in subsection (1),
(a) the air shall meet the standards set out in clauses 5.5.2 to 5.5.11 of CSA Standard CAN3-Z180.1-M85, Compressed Breathing Air and Systems, the English version of which is dated December 1985 and the French version of which is dated November 1987; and
(b) the system that supplies air shall be constructed, tested, operated and maintained in accordance with the CSA Standard referred to in paragraph (a).
(4) Where there is a likelihood of exposure to hydrogen-sulphide gas or combustible gases at a drilling rig, drilling unit or production facility, the employer shall provide, at a readily accessible location
(a) on the drill floor, at least one self-contained positive pressure breathing device for each employee normally employed on the drill floor or an air manifold equipped with a face mask for each such employee;
(b) at least two portable hydrogen-sulphide gas detectors; and
(c) at least two portable combustible gas detectors.
(5) Where employee sleeping quarters are located adjacent to a drilling rig or on a drilling unit or production facility, at least four self-contained positive pressure breathing devices shall be located in a readily accessible location.
(6) No person who may be required to use a respiratory protective device shall have hair that interferes with the functioning of the breathing device.
SOR/88-199, S. 19; SOR/94-165, S. 49.
13.8 Where a steel or aluminum self-contained breathing apparatus cylinder has a dent deeper than 1.5 mm and less than 50 mm in major diameter or shows evidence of deep isolated pitting, cracks or splits, the cylinder shall be removed from service until it has been shown to be safe for use by means of a hydrostatic test at a pressure equal to one and one-half times the maximum allowable working pressure.
Records
13.18 (1) A record of all protection equipment provided by the employer and requiring maintenance shall be kept for as long as the equipment is in use.
(2) The record referred to in subsection (1) shall contain
(a) a description of the protection equipment and the date of its acquisition by the employer;
(b) the date and result of each inspection and test of the protection equipment;
(c) the date and nature of any maintenance work performed on the protection equipment since its acquisition by the employer; and (a) the name of the qualified person who performed the inspection, test, maintenance or repair of the protection equipment.
Instructions and Training
13.19 (1) Every person granted access to the work place who uses protection equipment shall be instructed by the employer in the use of the equipment.
(2) Every employee who uses protection equipment shall be instructed and trained in the use, operation and maintenance of the equipment.
(3) Every person granted access to a work place shall be instructed in respect of the written emergency procedures referred to in paragraph 13.12(2)(d).
(4) The employer shall
(a) set out in writing and keep readily available for examination by the employees referred to in subsection (2), the instructions referred to in that subsection; and
(b) keep readily available for examination by every person granted access to the work place a copy of the emergency procedures referred to in paragraph 13.12(2)(d).
Defective Protection Equipment
13.20 Where an employee finds any defect in protection equipment that may render it unsafe for use, he shall report the defect to his employer as soon as possible.
13.21 An employer shall mark or tag as unsafe and remove from service any protection equipment that has a defect that may render it unsafe for use.