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Should you wear an H2S Monitor on your belt?

Should you wear an H2S Monitor on your belt?

No, you want to wear a personal gas monitor inside the breathing zone. The breathing zone is a half circle downward in front of the mouth and nose less than ten inches. We previously discussed this at https://eagleford.store/2018/02/where-should-you-wear-an-h2s-monitor/ but proper monitor placement cannot be reiterated enough. Make sure to rent or buy a new San Antonio H2S Monitor here.

H2S is a heavy gas so won’t it reach my belt before my breathing zone?

No, do not assume that H2S will alert a monitor on your belt before your breathing zone. H2S in petroleum environments will likely be warmer than air and mixed with lighter-than-air natural gasses. This is known to cause a temporary buoyancy where the heavier H2S gas settles out later. We must also be concerned about the vapors released downward from tank thief hatches and other elevated areas.

Isn’t the belt a more comfortable place to wear the monitor?

Personal monitors are designed to be light weight and worn in the breathing zone. Modern coveralls may also contain loops on the upper chest to clip them to.

Can I just use my nose to smell for H2S?

No, H2S deadens the sense of smell. Do not rely on your nose to detect H2S.

Note: Information provided as-is to promote the general discussion of safety topics. User assumes all responsibility.

 

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Where should you wear an H2S monitor?

Personal H2S Monitors Protect the Air We Breathe

OSHA designates that personal monitors for atmospheric monitoring, including H2S monitors, should be worn within what is called the breathing zone. The breathing zone is 9 inches from the mouth and nose but not behind the shoulders. By wearing H2S badges within the breathing zone the detector is allowed to sample the atmosphere closest to the air the worker is breathing as possible.

Poor Choices Give Less Optimal Protection

One common area that workers have been found to wear H2S monitors has been on the back of the hard hat. The back of the hard hat does not sample the breathing zone because people do not breathe out of the back of their head! Coaching the worker to inform them of the breathing zone can help them remember to place their H2S badge in a proper location.

Another common area in the completions and well servicing industry has been on or around the belt. The reason given has been that since hydrogen sulfide is heavier than air they believe that wearing the monitor low on the body will alert the worker earlier. This may not be the case when we are dealing with hydrogen sulfide as a petroleum fluid. Although hydrogen sulfide does have a higher specific gravity than air there are two additional factors which can cause the gas to rise under specific circumstances. The heat of the gas as well as the combined mixture of lighter than air methane can cause hydrogen sulfide gas containing solutions to rise.

Proper H2S Monitoring

Properly monitoring the atmosphere for H2S will require some combination of stationary and personal H2S monitors. Personal gas monitoring is needed to protect the breathing zone.

Note: Information provided as-is to promote the general discussion of safety topics. User assumes all responsibility.

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How long do San Antonio H2S Monitors last?

Our San Antonio H2S Monitors are factory calibrated to last for two years. After they are started new, the monitor starts a 24 month countdown. Once the countdown is finished then the monitor alerts that it is expired and then turns off. After these H2S monitors expire they can not be recalibrated or reset and a new monitor must be obtained for proper protection. Calibration, however, is not the only reason that a monitor may need to be replaced.

H2S monitors also need to have fresh batteries to work properly. The installed battery is sufficient to keep the monitor on for its two-year lifetime. Prior to starting the H2S monitor the battery will begin to age. This means that the monitor must be started before the start-by date listed by the manufacturer.

Dirt and damage may also cause an H2S monitor to fail. Although they are built for rugged use they are not to be abused. The air inlet must also be left clear and clean. Obstructing the inlet with clothing or other blockages prevents the air from entering and giving the sensor a proper sample. The inlet filter should not be allowed to saturate with oil or dirt. Regular bump testing is an important part of monitor maintenance to ensure that the device continues to function properly.

H2S personal monitors are designed to detect small amounts of hydrogen sulfide that are hazardous to human health. High concentrations of H2S (such as above 100ppm) can fatigue the sensor and potentially damage the equipment. New San Antonio H2S monitors indicate this with a feature that shows the highest monitor reading within the last 24 hours. Only use H2S monitors within the listed manufacturers specifications. Never misuse a personal H2S badge by attempting to read from a concentrated source such as by lowering it into a confined space or placing the sensor in front of a vent line.

How do you know that your H2S monitor still works? Regular bump testing uses a small stream of calibrated hydrogen sulfide gas in order to test whether the sensor responds within the proper timeframe. The high and low alarms must sound after the gas makes contact with the sensor. Always follow the manufacturers recommendations for a regular bump test program. These H2S monitors also have a function test that should be performed daily. To perform the function test the worker depresses the function button and observes the function of the LCD screen, visual and audible alarms, as well as the unit vibration alarm. Never use a monitor that fails to alarm properly and never ignore an alarm while in the field.

If you are in need of a new badge then purchase a new H2S monitor in San Antonio. The Eagleford Store sells monitors including a free bump test in order to help prove that workers are obtaining proper protection. Hydrogen sulfide is a deadly gas and all are reminded to avoid worker contact and treat it with the greatest precaution.

 

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Why bump test H2S monitors?

Personal H2S monitors are designed for 2 year operation and are not to be recalibrated outside of the factory. The manufacturers recommendations do recommend a small amount of maintenance including daily function tests and regular bump tests. To perform a function test on the H2S monitor the status button is pressed and the monitor is checked to ensure that the lights and audible alarm engage normally. A bump test is performed on the monitor by subjecting the sensor to a measured amount of hydrogen sulfide test mixture. An H2S monitor passes the bump test by engaging the high and low alarms properly within the limited timeframe.

Safety equipment and PPE is crucial that it is properly inspected and in good condition. Always bump test hydrogen sulfide monitors in accordance with manufacturers recommendations. The H2S badge is an important piece of equipment for any worker that may encounter the gas in the workplace. The need for confidence that the equipment will work properly cannot be understated. To verify that the personal monitor will function properly when needed it must be inspected, tested, and documented according to instruction.

Our H2S monitors when purchased come with a free bump test in San Antonio. Purchase a new H2S monitor here.

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Hard Hat Options

Most oilfield workers will be well served using the standard white full-brim hard hat. Other hard hat options are also available for workers in special situations.

Hard hat colors: Some companies require new or “green” employees with less than a year of experience to wear a green hard hat so that other team members can spot that they may need extra safety help. Other companies have used other colors such as yellow hard hats to signify a new worker. Colors such as red and blue hard hats are also available to match with uniforms for experienced workers.

The full-brim hard hat is the most popular style used by oilfield workers. Benefits of the full-brim hard hat is that the shell feels more weight balanced toward the back and center of the head as well as a small amount of extra sun protection. Duck-billed hard hats are also available for specialized workers. They have the benefit of feeling somewhat lighter due to the smaller shape of material.