What should be included in an H2S code of practice? Here are some suggestions:

1. Hazard Assessment Results – that is, a list of H2S sources and activities / conditions that can cause H2S releases in your workplace.

2. Engineering Controls – where feasible, these should be used as a first line of defense. H2S emissions might be controlled by ventilation systems, chemical treatment or flaring systems (where allowed).

• Natural sources – crude oil, natural gas, hot springs
• Resource industries – Oil & gas drilling and production, refining, mining
• Pulp and paper industry
• Sewage and animal waste – wastewater treatment and municipal works, tanneries, feedlots
• Other industrial processes – coke ovens, sulphur production, tunneling

3. Safe Work Procedures, which should include:

• Signs and Labels – identify H2S hazard areas;
• H2S Gas Monitoring – direct reading (electronic) instruments are best for this purpose; proper calibration and operation of monitors are critical for worker protection, so be sure to describe how to calibrate and use H2S detectors;
• SOP’s – standard operating procedures which are activity-specific and describe the equipment and methods required to minimize or prevent H2S exposure;
• Emergency Response Protocol – explain what should be done to prepare for emergencies, how to react during initial response, and what to do and who to contact to ensure a safe and effective response. H2S releases may affect adjacent facilities or the public, so it may be necessary (or mandatory) to have a "community" emergency response plan.

4. PPE – personal protective equipment – identify what is needed for each activity. This may include (but not be limited to) respiratory protective equipment, flame resistant clothing, eye protection and protective footwear. Where respiratory protective equipment is required, many provinces require a code of practice for respiratory protection and specify the details to be included within.

5. Training requirements for your managers, employees, contractors and visitors. Generic hydrogen sulphide awareness training should be supplemented with site-specific or activity-specific training.

Once the code of practice has been developed, training is essential to ensure that all details of the code are known by those affected. Practice H2S response techniques and make sure everyone that might have to respond to an H2S incident is competent to do so.

A comprehensive code of practice – preceded by a hazard assessment and followed up with training and practice of response scenarios – will go a long way toward preventing injuries and fatalities from H2S exposure.

Useful References:

1. Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Government of British Columbia
2. Occupational Health and Safety Code, Government of Alberta, 2003
3. The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996, and amendments, Government of Saskatchewan
4. "Hydrogen Sulphide at the Work Site", Workplace Health & Safety Bulletin CH029, Alberta Human Resources and Employment, Revised February 2005.
5. "Guide: Occupational Health and Safety of Hydrogen Sulphide", Publication No. 2003-0004, Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, 2003.
6. "Health Effects Associated With Short-Term Exposure To Low Levels of Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) – A Technical Review", Alberta Health and Wellness, October 2002.