Oilfield Worker Suspected To Have Died From Exposure To Hydrogen Sulphide

In February this year, Gregory Claxton’s body was found at a well site in Texas, who is suspected to have died from exposure to hydrogen sulphide gas. It raises safety concerns for workers and underscores the need for investing in the best gas detection equipment and monitoring systems to identify the presence of toxic gases like hydrogen sulphide.

Barbara Green said in a recent news article:

“Hughes said toxicology reports indicate Claxton died from the toxic effects of H2S, which emergency workers at the scene suspected as a possible cause.

H2S is a colorless, flammable gas with the characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs. It is poisonous, corrosive and explosive. According to OSHA, H2S gas is most commonly obtained by its separation from sour gas. It also can exist as a liquid compressed gas.”

Nanodevice Invented To Detect Hydrogen Sulphide Gas

A nanodevice has been invented in Iran to detect hydrogen sulphide gas levels that can come in handy for companies operating in the oil and gas industry. The best part about the sensor is that it is light-weight, portable and very sensitive to the presence of hydrogen sulphide gas in the atmosphere.

The new nanodevice is likely to benefit companies who work in oil drilling, coal mines, oil refineries and wells containing organic materials.

As said in a recent news article:

“The sensor can be directly used in oil and gas industry taking into consideration the importance of hydrogen sulfide and its irreversible damages. It can also be used in aerospace and firefighting industries.

The sensor is made of carbon nanotubes covered with copper nanoparticles on a flexible bed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The sensor can detect hydrogen sulfide at concentration about 5ppm. It has a respond time of 10 seconds at this concentration while the return time has been obtained to be 15 seconds.”

The use of the nanodevice can help in early detection of dangerous levels of hydrogen sulphide gas in the atmosphere. This can prevent workers from falling sick or dying due to a concentrated level of hydrogen sulphide gas at the workplace.

While oil and gas companies can invest in gas monitoring systems, chemical factories should invest in chemical leak detection systems. Take a look at some ways to ensure safety of workers.

Conduct Safety Climate Assessments Once Every 3 Months

In a recent study by a Texas university, it was found that conducting safety climate assessments once every three months can help in identifying any safety hazards or accurately forecasting any possible workplace accidents. This is why it is essential not to overlook this key exercise in ensuring the safety of workers.

As shared in a recent blog:

“Instead, researchers recommend that organizations conduct safety climate assessments at least once every three months – preferably once a month – to determine the best ways to prevent workplace incidents. Researchers analyzed data from 42 chemical manufacturing sites in a dozen countries as part of the study, which spanned four years.”

Provide Training On Chemical Hazards

Workers who are hired to work in chemical factories need to be trained on the safe method of dealing with chemicals. Often, the chemicals can be dangerous and even prove to be deadly if incorrectly handled or exposed to air. In some cases, chemicals can cause deadly reactions on reaching certain temperatures and therefore temperature control becomes key to maintaining safety of workers and equipment. This is why it is necessary to provide adequate training to workers on working with chemicals.

Failure to provide training to workers can prove to be costly for owners of chemical factories, as they will be fined by independent organizations and agencies.

Sandy Smith said in a recent article:

“OSHA initiated an inspection on Oct. 16, 2014, in response to a complaint, and cited Bentley Laboratories for 14 alleged serious violations that carry $45,000 in potential fines. According to OSHA, Bentley failed to:

• Train workers on chemical hazards.
• Maintain a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to excessive noise.
• Develop procedures and training to control potentially hazardous energy.
• Properly guard machines to prevent amputations.”

Worker safety assumes importance, due to potential accidents and chemical leaks that can prove fatal for workers in chemical factories. This article shares some easy ways in which chemical manufacturing companies can ensure worker safety.

Safety Guidance For Responding To Hazardous Process Fluid Leaks A Must

The CSB has highlighted the need for safety guidance to tackle fluid leaks in one of its many recommendations. This will help in plugging the fluid leaks, before it proves to be catastrophic for workers and residents in the surrounding area. It necessitates preventive action and having a safety mechanism to deal with situations like sulfidation corrosion failures.

As shared in a recent news article:

“Based on its findings, CSB recommends that the American Petroleum Institute establish and strengthen minimum requirements for preventing potentially catastrophic sulfidation corrosion failures and safety guidance for responding to hazardous process fluid leaks.”

Efforts To Improve Safety Culture A Must

The investigation conducted by the CSB on the fire that took place near a Chevron refinery in the year 2012 has revealed that regulatory shortcomings and a flawed safety culture may have worsened the problem at the refinery, creating health issues for both residents and workers.

Jenifer Baires said in a recent article:

“The investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board found that the Aug. 6, 2012, fire, which endangered 19 refinery workers and sent more than 15,000 residents to hospitals, was caused by a combination of regulatory shortcomings, a flawed Chevron safety culture and insufficient emergency efforts that likely exacerbated the problem.”

Refinery owners should make safety a priority for refinery workers and cultivate a safety work culture and set in place a safety protocol. They should reward workers who identify weaknesses in the system or alert the management about anything that could pose a safety risk for either workers or residents.