Basic H₂S Training

Introduction

The OPITO Basic H₂S Training programme is the internationally recognised standard for personnel working in environments where hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) gas may be present. Sour gas, as H₂S is commonly known in the industry, is one of the most hazardous substances encountered in oil and gas operations. Colourless, highly toxic, and heavier than air, H₂S is present in many of Indonesia’s producing fields and is a recognised risk across upstream operations from wellsite to processing facility.

Basic H₂S Training ensures that all personnel entering or working in potentially H₂S-affected environments have the knowledge and practical skills to recognise the hazard, use personal detection equipment correctly, respond appropriately when an alarm is activated, and don and operate Escape Breathing Apparatus (EBA), both mask and hood types, within the required 30-second timeframe. The programme also covers connection and disconnection to an emergency cascade breathing system while wearing Escape Breathing Apparatus (EBA), a critical skill for personnel who may need to extend their breathing air supply during an emergency evacuation.

Basic H₂S Training may be delivered at our Cilegon training centre or at the client’s own facility, making it suitable for both scheduled training and pre-mobilisation programmes for remote projects. Delivered in accordance with OPITO Product Code 9014, Basic H₂S certification is valid for two years. To remain certified, personnel must repeat the Basic H₂S Training programme before certificate expiry.

Who Needs Basic H₂S Training?

This includes upstream oil and gas personnel working at wellsites, drilling operations, production facilities, gas processing plants, and pipeline operations involving sour service. It is equally relevant for contractors, maintenance personnel, and support staff who may enter designated H₂S risk zones. Many operators across Indonesia and Southeast Asia require current Basic H₂S certification as a condition of site access, alongside or in addition to BOSIET or T-BOSIET certification.

Scope

The Basic H₂S Training programme provides learners with the foundational knowledge and practical skills required to recognise hydrogen sulphide hazards and respond safely in environments where H₂S may be present. It covers the properties and hazards of H₂S, workplace exposure limits and detection methods, emergency response actions, and the correct use of personal detection equipment and escape breathing apparatus.

The programme is designed for delivery as a standalone course or in combination with other offshore safety programmes. It can be delivered at our Cilegon training centre or on-location at a client facility, subject to OPITO requirements for remote delivery.

General Course Objectives

The objectives of this training are that learners will be able to:

1. Understand and explain the properties and associated hazards of H₂S.
2. Understand and explain information relating to the function and use of relevant detection and respiratory protection equipment.
3. Understand and practise appropriate emergency response actions, including the correct use of personal detection equipment and escape breathing apparatus.

Course Content

H₂S Hazards, Properties, and Emergency Response

This unit provides a comprehensive grounding in the nature of H₂S as an industrial hazard and equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills to respond safely when H₂S is detected. Theoretical learning covers:

• H₂S gas — how it is formed, its common names (sour gas, stink damp, swamp gas), and where it is typically found in oil and gas operations
• Physical properties and characteristics of H2S: colour (colourless), odour (rotten egg smell at low concentrations, odour fatigue at higher concentrations), density relative to air, and flammability
• Common definitions including parts per million (ppm) and occupational exposure limits (OEL/WEL)
• Measurement of H₂S concentrations and the applicable OEL/WEL thresholds
• The physiological effects of H₂S exposure at varying concentrations, from sensory irritation at low levels through to rapid incapacitation and fatality at high concentrations, and individual susceptibility factors
• How H₂S is detected: fixed-point detection systems, personal gas detectors, and the correct interpretation of alarm signals
• Actions to take when an H₂S alarm is activated: immediate response, muster procedures, and donning of escape breathing apparatus
• Types of respiratory protective equipment: Escape Breathing Apparatus (EBA) in both mask and hood configurations, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and the importance of correct face mask fit and seal
• The role of emergency response teams in an H₂S incident and their use of SCBA during rescue operations

Practical exercises are conducted under instructor supervision and include:

• Pre-use checks and correct operation of personal H₂S detection equipment
• Responding to an H₂S alarm in a simulated scenario
• Donning and operating an Escape Breathing Apparatus (EBA) with mask within 30 seconds, in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines
• Donning and operating an Escape Breathing Apparatus (EBA) with hood within 30 seconds
• Connecting to a pressurised cascade breathing system with an activated EBA correctly donned
• Disconnecting from a pressurised cascade breathing system with an activated EBA correctly donned

Prerequisites

• Participants must hold a valid offshore medical certificate or equivalent medical fitness certification, in accordance with OPITO medical entry requirements.