Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Fatal Risk Control Standard
Rev No.: 01 Date: 14 December 2016 Doc No.: CIL/HSEQ/STA/16/ 000002 Authorised by: Head HSSEQ&S
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a toxic, flammable and corrosive gas
often encountered during hydrocarbon exploration &
production. H2S may also be anticipated in previously
uncontaminated reservoirs into which sulfate-reducing
bacteria were introduced. H2S has the potential risk of human
fatality, if not controlled during drilling; workover and
completion, well testing, servicing; and operations. Being
heavier than air, on release it tends settle downwards around
cellars and sumps; producing wells, disposal wells, flowlines
and gathering systems, tanks, separators and other
production equipment, plant operations; transport tanker
activities etc.
The objective of this standard is to ensure activities where the
presence of H2S is possible, are planned and performed in a
safe manner through appropriate risk management and
implementation of suitable controls to prevent exposure and
fatalities.
1. Scope/Boundary
This Management Standard is mandatory and applies to all
Cairn operated and managed sites, wherever risk of exposure
of person(s) to H2S is possible. Exposure is defined as presence
of H2S in concentrations and volumes that could potentially
result in atmospheric concentrations of 10 ppm or more of
H2S.
These requirements are also applicable to contractors, sub-
contractors and visitors, whilst they are on Cairn
sites/premises at onshore or offshore.
2. Process
Business/ operating groups/ functions shall implement and
maintain procedures and other arrangements for H 2S
Management including design of equipment, H 2S detection
and monitoring arrangements, training of personnel,
emergency response arrangements and availability & use of
appropriate PPE including breathing apparatus.
Design: Plant & Equipment exposed (where the fluids handled
contain H2S more than what is specified in NACE Standard MR
0I75 / ISO 15156) shall be designed using materials suitable for
H2S service. Specific locations / equipment that are expected
to encounter H2S shall have prominently displayed warning
signs.
Security and access control systems and hardware shall be in
place, appropriate to the risk, to manage access to areas
where H2S is present. Control public access in case of H2S
release.
Detection and monitoring: H2S detectors must be provided in
all areas likely to be exposed to H2S. H2S monitoring system
should activate audiovisual alarm when the concentration
reaches 10 ppm and high alarm should be activated at 20 ppm.
The Alarm must be distinctly different from the fire alarm to
ensure adequate response.
Where it is required to enter a confined space that may
contain H2S, the concentration shall be checked before entry
and at frequent intervals during the course of the work.
Operating Procedures: Only authorized personnel should be
permitted in the areas likely to be exposed to H2S
 Personal protection shall be provided if the work area
concentration of H2S exceeds 10 ppm in eight-hour
time weighted average (TWA) or 15 ppm as a short
term exposure level (STEL) averaged over 15 minutes.
 Persons performing works like confined space,
sampling, draining etc. shall wear personal H2S
monitor with preset low alarm at 10 ppm and high
alarm at 15 ppm.
 Personnel performing jobs such as sampling,
draining, inspections etc. in the vessels / pipelines
containing H2S must stay upwind and wear the
recommended personal protective equipment.
 Where the H2S presence has been detected, the
person entering the confined space should wear
suitable respiratory protective equipment (positive
pressure) and should be observed from the outside
by a standby person from a safe location.
 Ensure H2S emergency response plan for installation
is documented and used frequently during H2S drills.
 Use of air purifying respirators (masks) should be
limited as they are designed to handle negligible
amount of H2S.
 Before working in a confined space please ensure
sufficient nos. of air-path circulations.
 Self-contained breathing apparatus are preferred as
these have positive pressure.
 Ensure buddy system.
 Ensure two independent escape routes.
Personnel: All personnel (including Cairn, service companies,
contractors and visitors) shall be made aware of the possibility
of H2S in the atmospheric concentrations greater than 10 ppm,
which may be encountered while performing their work.
All personnel working in such areas shall be provided with H2S
Awareness & Escape training prior to beginning the work
assignment.
Minimum level of H2S Awareness & Escape training shall
include the following elements:
 The hazards, characteristics, and properties of H2S.
 Sources of H2S.
 Proper use of H2S detection methods used at the
workplace.
 Recognition of, and proper response to, the warning
signals initiated by H2S detection systems in use at
the workplace.
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Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Fatal Risk Control Standard
Rev No.: 01 Date: 14 December 2016 Doc No.: CIL/HSEQ/STA/16/ 000002 Authorised by: Head HSSEQ&S
 Symptoms of H2S exposure. Plant Integrity / Maintenance Manager shall:
 Rescue techniques and first aid to victims of H2S  Periodically update the asset health and inform the
exposure. respective management about the vulnerable areas.
 Proper use and maintenance of breathing equipment
for working in H2S atmosphere. Employees, Contractor Personnel and visitors shall:
 Work place practices and relevant maintenance  Comply with the requirements of this standard including
procedures that have been established to protect undergoing training.
personnel from the hazards of H2S
 Wind direction awareness and escape routes. 4. Review
 Emergency response procedures that have been A system of inspecting, auditing and reviewing of the
developed for the facility or operations. identification of H2S prone areas and the application of
 Locations and use of safety equipment. control measures must be implemented.
 Locations of safe briefing and breathing areas.
Businesses are required to comply with local laws and
3. Roles and Responsibilities regulations relevant to H2S.
Businesses, operations and sites shall ensure that roles and
responsibilities for implementing and complying with
standards are allocated. Key responsibilities shall be included
in job descriptions/ procedures.

Strategic Business Unit (SBU) / Function Heads/

Installation Managers / Drilling Supervisor / Well
Servicing Supervisor / Completion Supervisor / shall
ensure:
 H2S source / prone areas are identified and control
measures are put in place.
 H2S exposure monitoring is being conducted
 Feasible engineering controls are being utilized
 Appropriate H2S monitors are available and inspected and
calibrated as per schedule.
 Periodic health checkup of equipment to ensure asset
integrity.
 Personnel are trained according to the requirements of
this standard.
 H2S emergency response procedure specific for facility
and surrounding community.
 Breathing apparatus / Emergency escape breathing
devices-EEBD are available as per requirement.
 Periodic emergency drills following H2S contingency
plan(s) are conducted.
 Enforcing employee / contractor compliance with this
standard.

HSE Manager / HSE Engineer shall ensure:

 Provision of training to personnel
 Availability of trained and competent team for H2S rescue
operations at site.
 All warning systems are posted, mounted, or labelled, as
appropriate.
 Provision of medical aid / first aid for H2S poisoning.