Manitoba 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 Manitoba:

Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) Exposure in the Petroleum Industry – Bulletin 173
http://safemanitoba.com/uploads/bulletins/bltn173.pdf

The permission to reproduce this material is provided by the Queens Printer for Manitoba. The Queens Printer does not warrant the accuracy or currency of the reproduction of this information.

Workplace Safety and Health Regulation
Regulation 217/2006
Registered October 31, 2006

PART 41

OIL AND GAS

Application

41.1 This Part applies to every workplace where a well is drilled, operated or serviced.

Safe work procedures

41.2 An employer must
    (a) develop and implement safe work procedures respecting the drilling, operating or servicing of wells;     (b) train workers in the safe work procedures; and
    (c) ensure that workers comply with the safe work procedures.

Breathing apparatus

41.3 An employer must ensure that at least two SCBAs operating in a positive pressure mode that meet the requirements of Part 6 (Personal Protective Equipment) are readily available at a rig for use in a rescue.

Routine inspections

41.10(1) An employer must ensure that a rig is inspected by a competent person
    (a) before it is placed in service; and
    (b) at least once every 30 working days when the rig is in service.

41.10(2) An employer must provide and maintain a logbook for a rig and keep the logbook with the rig. The following information must be recorded in the logbook:
    (a) the date and time when any work is performed on the rig;
    (b) the length of time in hoisting service;
    (c) all defects and deficiencies in the rig, including the date each defect or deficiency is detected;
    (d) all inspections performed on the rig, including all examinations, checks and tests;
    (e) a record of any certification of repairs or modifications under section 41.6;
    (f) a description of the work performed on the rig each day;
    (g) any matter or incident that may affect the safe operation of the rig.

Drill stem testing

41.19(1) During drill stem testing, an employer must ensure that
    (a) monitoring for the presence of hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons takes place;
    (b) the hydrogen sulfide monitor is
       (i) capable of detecting hydrogen sulfide at a concentration equal to the occupational exposure limit for hydrogen sulfide established under Part 36 (Chemical and Biological Substances),
       (ii) calibrated and tested before use, and
       (iii) properly maintained; and
    (c) if hydrogen sulfide or hydrocarbons are present at levels that may pose a risk to a worker’s safety or health, the formation fluids in the drill stem are displaced with drilling fluid and circulated to a flare pit or holding tank that is at least 25 m from the well.

41.19(2) An employer must ensure that, if test fluid recovery is encountered during darkness,
    (a) recovered liquids are reverse circulated; or
    (b) if reversed circulation is not practicable because the pump-out sub has failed, additional drill pipe is not pulled and disconnected until daylight.

Well operation and servicing

41.21 Before fluids are unloaded into a well, an employer must ensure that the lines between the pump and the well are:
    (a) designed and constructed to sustain the maximum anticipated pressure during use; and
    (b) hydraulically pressure tested at a pressure that is at least 10% above the maximum pressure anticipated during use. Drilling and servicing piping systems at well site.

41.22 An employer must ensure that piping systems at a well site are designed, constructed, installed, operated and maintained to safely contain any material at the maximum operating pressures anticipated.

Gas sample containers

41.23 An employer must ensure that containers, piping and fittings used to collect gas samples are
    (a) of sufficient strength to withstand the pressures to which they may be subjected; and
    (b) designed, used and transported so that their contents cannot be released inadvertently.