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*                             HAZARD ALERT                          *  
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*  Produced by:  Saskatchewan Human Resources,                      *  
*                Labour and Employment                              *  
*  Provided by:  Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety *  
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  WORKER KNOCKED DOWN BY H2S RELEASED FROM PRODUCTION WATER  
  
  
*** FATALITY:  ***  
  
  An experienced Saskatchewan oilfield operator recently drowned in  
  production water after being overcome by Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S).  
  
  
*** CIRCUMSTANCES:  ***  
  
  An investigation showed that during a routine inspection of a  
  disposal well site, the operator noticed production water escaping  
  from the pump house.  This production water contained lethal  
  concentrations of Hydrogen Sulfide gas which had been relaeased and  
  contained within the pump house.  He passed through the flooded dyked  
  area and entered the pump house (see photo).  Having found the leak he  
  closed the tank valve and left the building.  During these activities  
  he was overcome by H2S.  The operator collapsed into 15 cm (6") of  
  production water and drowned.  
  
  
*** PREVENTION:  ***  
  
  Production water may contain lethal amounts of H2S.  Employers must  
  make sure that employees understand the hazards involved.  Employers  
  are responsible for developing, implementing and enforcing an  
  emergency spill response procedure for production fluids.  This should  
  include the provision and use of personal protective equipment such as a  
  self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and a "buddy" system.  
  
  
*** REGULATIONS:  ***  
  
  The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, Section 67(f) and (g),  
  require employers to provide workers with instruction on the:  
        (a)  hazards which may be present;  
        (b)  safe handling procedures for harmful substances;  and  
        (c)  proper use of respiratory protection.  
  
  Where personal protective equipment must be used, section 182  
  requires employers to make sure that:  
        (a)  the personal protective equipment is at a work site before  
             work begins;  
        (b)  every worker is made aware of the location of the personal  
             protective equipment on a work site and instrued in its use;  
        (c)  the personal protective equipment is maintained.  
  
  Section 191 requires that where a respiratory protective device is  
  used by a worker in a contaminated atmosphere, a second suitably  
  equipped and trained worker must be present to provide back up.  
  
  
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