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Ontario Legislation

Ontario H2S

Hydrogen Sulphide (also called ‘sour gas’, ‘sewer gas’)

This is not an official source of information. It has been assembled as a convenience to students for reference and further study. Some extracts from official sources such as Regulations are provided. These are not guaranteed to completely cover all the material available in the Regulations. URL’s of those official sources are provided to allow the full text to be consulted.

Other sources of Hydrogen Sulphide Safety information for Ontario

http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/engineer/facts/04-087.htm#2
http://www.oceta.on.ca/profiles/apollo/scrubber.html
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/livestock/swine/facts/info_mn_quality.htm
http://www.ontariotenants.ca/electricity/articles/2004/ts-04d10.phtml
http://www.cep.ca/page/hydrogene-sulfure

The following is © Queen's Printer for Ontario, 2009 – 2009

Occupational Health and Safety Act
R.R.O. 1990, REGULATION 855

OIL AND GAS — OFFSHORE
PART I
GENERAL

2. In applying this Regulation, the composition, design, size and arrangement of any material, object, device or thing may vary from the composition, design, size or arrangement prescribed if the factors of strength, health and safety are equal to or greater than the factors of strength, health and safety in the composition, design, size or arrangement prescribed. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 2.
3. This Regulation applies to all work done offshore on or from a rig. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 3.
4. The minimum age of a worker is eighteen years of age. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 4.
5. Prior to the start of the drilling season, the owner of the licence of occupation under the Mining Act shall provide a notice in writing to the Director, setting out,
    (a) the contents of the operating manual required under section 14; and
    (b) details of an emergency plan to rescue workers in the event of an emergency. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 5.
6. An emergency plan shall be prepared in writing and shall include,
    (a) a suitable and rapid means of obtaining first aid help and transportation from the rig to a hospital for injured workers; and
    (b) the measures and procedures to be used to,
        (i)         control a major fire,
        (ii)        react to serious damage to the rig,
        (iii)       evacuate the rig, and
        (iv)       notify rescue personnel. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 6.
7. The written report required by section 51 of the Act shall include,
    (a) the name and address of the employer;
    (b) the nature and the circumstances of the occurrence and the bodily injury sustained;
    (c) a description of the machinery or equipment involved;
    (d) the time and place of the occurrence;
    (e) the name and address of the person who was killed or critically injured;
    (f) the names and addresses of all witnesses to the occurrence; and
    (g) the name and address of the physician or surgeon, if any, who is attending or has attended the injury. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 7.
8. For the purposes of section 52 of the Act, notice of,
    (a) an accident, explosion or fire which disables a worker from performing his or her usual work; or
    (b) an occupational illness, shall include,
    (c) the name, address and type of business of the employer;
    (d) the nature and the circumstances of the occurrence and the bodily injury or illness sustained;
    (e) a description of the machinery or equipment involved;
    (f) the time and place of the occurrence;
    (g) the name and address of the person suffering the injury or illness;
    (h) the names and addresses of all witnesses to the occurrence;
        (i) the name and address of the physician or surgeon, if any, who is attending or has attended the injury or illness; and
        (j) the steps taken to prevent a recurrence. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 8.
9. A record of an accident, explosion or fire causing injury requiring medical attention but not disabling a worker from performing his or her usual work shall be kept in the permanent records of the employer and include particulars of,
    (a) the nature and circumstances of the occurrence and the injury sustained;
    (b) the time and place of the occurrence; and
    (c) the name and address of the injured person. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 9.
10. A record kept as prescribed by section 9 for the inspection of an inspector shall be notice to the Director. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 10.
11.     A record of the qualifications of all workers appointed as competent persons shall be kept in the permanent records of the employer for as long as the worker is employed with the employer. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 11.

PART II
PREPARATION

14. An operating manual prescribing the procedures to be followed shall be,
    (a) available for each drilling or related operation; and
    (b) readily accessible to a worker on the drilling site. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 14.
15. The employer shall ensure that a rig and its equipment is inspected for compliance with this Regulation,
    (a) in port, by an inspector prior to the drilling season; and
    (b) by a worker who is a competent person at least once every thirty working days while in operation. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 15.
16. The employer shall ensure that the derrick or mast is inspected by a competent person,
    (a) before being put into position, raised or lowered; and
    (b) at least once every year while in port. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 16.
17. The employer shall ensure that firefighting and life saving equipment is inspected by a competent person at least once every two weeks. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 17.
19. Written reports of inspections required by this Regulation shall be made by a competent person and shall be kept,
    (a) on the rig for a period of one year from the date of inspection; and
    (b) at the employer’s principal office in Ontario for a period of five years from the date of inspection. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 19.
20. The employer shall ensure that for each crew of workers on a working rig,
    (a) a fire drill is held at least once every two weeks;
    (b) an evacuation drill is held at least once every four weeks; and
    (c) a man-over-board drill is held at least once every four weeks. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 20.

PART III
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

21. A worker required to wear or use any protective clothing, equipment or device shall be instructed and trained in its care and use before wearing or using the protective clothing, equipment or device. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 21.

37. A worker who may be exposed to a biological, chemical or physical agent that may endanger the worker’s safety or health shall be trained,
    (a) in the precautions and procedures to be followed in the handling, use and storage of the agent;
    (b) in the proper use and care of required personal protective equipment; and
    (c) in the proper use of emergency measures and procedures. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 37.

PART IV
RIGS

68. A rig shall be equipped with,
(a) self-contained breathing apparatus sufficient in number for the working crew, located in areas readily available to the working area;
    (b) at least two portable hydrogen sulphide gas detectors;
    (c) at least two portable combustible gas detectors; and
    (d) at least two portable oxygen gas detectors. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 68.
71. A rig shall have a general alarm system consisting of a hailer or public address system that is audible in the workplace. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 71.
72. A general alarm shall be sounded to alert workers when there is a danger to,
    (a) the safety of the workers;
    (b) the security of the drilling unit or the well; or
    (c) the health of the workers due to the presence of toxic or combustible gases. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 72.
99. A system used to maintain drilling fluid shall,
    (a) be equipped with a pressure relief device adequate to vent excess pressure in a controlled manner;
    (b) vent excess pressure to an area which will not endanger workers;
    (c) be designed by a professional engineer; and
    (d) incorporate a testing and control procedure for hydrogen sulphide where oil, water or gas has been encountered. R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 855, s. 99.

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