Industrial Webinar Series

Join us for a series of three webinars on safety management for industrial turnarounds and shutdowns.
These webinars speak to growing trends towards:

On-site dispatch systems: “Three game changers for turnaround safety management that lower costs and increase efficiency”  (Recording available)

Contractor on-boarding: “A simple solution re on-boarding contractors for turnarounds and shutdowns that lowers costs and delays” (Recording available)

"Next generation" supplied breathing air systems: “Eliminate TA down time because of supplied air interruptions” (Dec 6th, 9:00AM EST, 11:00AM MST)

Even if you're not able to make it to the webinar, register! All registrants will receive the recorded webinar.

About the Speaker:

Darrel Dowd (LinkedIn Profile) has more than 25 years of experience in the oil and gas/petrochemical industry. The majority of those 25 years have been spent in the planning and execution of maintenance activities. Darrel has served as corporate safety manager and project management specialist all over the world for major maintenance activities such as turnarounds, shutdowns, and outages.

Vinson joins United Shutdown Safety as General Manager

DEER PARK, Texas – Curtis “Ray” Vinson recently joined United Shutdown Safety as their General Manager for Houston operations.  United Shutdown Safety is part of United Safety, a global provider of risk management and industrial and upstream safety equipment and personnel.   Ray is responsible for field and shop operations and will focus on expanding United’s capabilities and operational team to meet the growing demand in the Gulf Coast. 

Ray Vinson brings 20 years of safety leadership, operational, turnaround/shutdown maintenance, emergency response/rescue, process safety and sales experience in the safety service industry to United Safety.  His commitment and strong background in the Petrochemical and Refining industry will add tremendous value to United Shutdown Safety’s and further expand our culture of providing high quality safety services, equipment and personnel while supporting our customers’ safety and economic project goals and objectives in the United States.  For more information, visit http://unitedshutdownsafety.com or call 1-877-805-5155. 

United Safety‘s New Risk Management Services Division Poised for Explosive Growth

Risk management industry expert Allen Duke to spearhead United Safety’s new Risk Management Services division

 Airdrie, AB – July 8, 2011 – United Safety Limited launched a new Risk Management Services Division earlier this year and with it, the innovative SafePath Process ™. The team running the division has already been providing risk management solutions for 20+ years: they are true experts in their field.

Getting into risk management was a perfect fit for United Safety, a leader in H2S protection equipment and safety services for the upstream and downstream oil and gas industry. Customers dealing with the safety company can rest assured they are getting the best advice on how to navigate the complex world of risk management because industry expert Allen Duke, known as the driving force behind the highly successful Boots and Coots risk management team, is heading up the new USL Risk Management Services division as Vice President and General Manager of Risk Management. Allen has brought with him a dynamic team of risk management experts who have hit the ground running using the highly effective and consultative SafePath Process ™ to help demystify ways of improving and implementing change for customers’ existing risk management plans.


Importance of a Current HAZID
Duke’s team of risk management specialists recommend that, at a minimum, companies revisit their risk management plan either every 5 years or whenever there is a process change or an influx of new staff or contractors working on site.
The United Safety RMS division consists of a management team and system that analyzes the effectiveness of an existing safety management system, how it is being practiced on the ground and what the company’s safety goals are.  From there a plan is developed to bridge the gap, and collaboration with both customer office staff and field personnel occurs throughout implementation. 


“Too many safety plans are created but never correctly implemented in the field” says Yves Matson, Marketing Director. 
“Those who implement risk management policies need their staff to not only comply but more importantly, adopt the culture of that safety management system despite the continuous evolution of their business.”  Allen Duke adds, “RMS involves more than dropping off policy manuals. Risk management is not evergreen. Too often we see a divorce between the plan and the implementation both initially and over the long run. SafePath ensures you have the right equipment, infrastructure and properly trained people in place both during implementation and for the long term cyclical reviews that improve it over time.”


Matson says the organization strives to educate their customers on best practices learned throughout their global company and that unlike most other risk management consultants who favor a wholesale replacement of risk management systems, United Safety’s approach is to improve existing RMS plans rather than starting from scratch. This approach is less costly, and a faster path to producing positive results.  He says that more importantly, because there is a high turnover of projects, staff and contractors in the oil and gas industry, a system that improves what you have while conditions change brings a needed flexibility to an industry that is increasingly focused on risk management as a major priority. 


Duke adds: “No safety management system is perfect unless a business is static. If your risk management system isn’t a dynamic and evolving program, it won’t work.” He states that  according to United Safety’s research, 88% of accidents are related to poor risk management and companies need to do more than document policies. “They need to embed a true risk management culture in their business, implement policy effectively at the site, track key performance indicators and effectively analyze those indicators as a catalyst to further improving policy.  It often takes a third party to help them make that happen.”


Why United Safety’s SafePath Process™?
United Safety's SafePath Process™ was developed as an office to site, or “Suits to Boots”, framework. It doesn’t replace existing risk management systems. Rather, it respects a company’s corporate culture delivering a holistic, long-term risk management approach that includes risk modeling, incident investigation, process safety, workplace safety implementations, management systems and technical safety personnel to help clients with all facets of implementation and ongoing compliance.


For a more comprehensive look at integrated risk management, view a recorded webinar by Allen Duke here: www.UnitedSafety.net/events-Integrated-Risk-Management-Webinar.html and learn more about Risk Management Service offerings at www.UnitedSafety.net/safe-path.html.


Media Contact:
Yves Matson
Director, Marketing
United Safety
104 East Lake Road, Airdrie, AB Canada T4A 2J8
1-800-432-1809, Email: MatsonY@UnitedSafety.net
LinkedIn.com/in/matsony
www.UnitedSafety.net

A conversation with United Shutdown Safety’s Darrell Dowd, Executive Profile in BIC Magazine

BIC Magazine interviewed Darrell Dowd, VP Americas United Shudown Safety in the Executive Profile Series.

Vice President, Americas Darrel Dowd, United Shutdown Safety, plays an important part in the implementation of the company’s strategic plan as it expands into U.S. markets. In a recent meeting with BIC Magazine, Dowd elaborated on how United is growing and the part he plays in ensuring the company’s success.
Q: What is the biggest news at United Shutdown Safety right now?

Here's the link to the full article.

H2S Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)

Courtesy of Matheson Tri-Gas Inc.

1. CHEMICAL PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION

SUBSTANCE: HYDROGEN SULFIDE

TRADE NAMES/SYNONYMS:

MTG MSDS 54; HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S); DIHYDROGEN MONOSULFIDE; DIHYDROGEN

SULFIDE; HYDROSULFURIC ACID; SULFUR DIHYDRIDE; SULFURETED HYDROGEN; SULFUR

HYDRIDE; STINK DAMP; SEWER GAS; RCRA U135; UN 1053; H2S; MAT11210; RTECS MX1225000

CHEMICAL FAMILY: inorganic, gas

CREATION DATE: Jan 24 1989

REVISION DATE: Dec 11 2008

2. COMPOSITION, INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS

COMPONENT: HYDROGEN SULFIDE

CAS NUMBER: 7783-06-4

PERCENTAGE: 100

3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION

NFPA RATINGS (SCALE 0-4):  HEALTH=4  FIRE=4  REACTIVITY=0

EMERGENCY OVERVIEW:

COLOR: colorless

PHYSICAL FORM: gas

ODOR: rotten egg odor

MAJOR HEALTH HAZARDS: harmful if inhaled, respiratory tract irritation, skin irritation, eye irritation, blood damage

PHYSICAL HAZARDS: Flammable gas. May cause flash fire. Flash back hazard. Electrostatic charges may be generated by flow, agitation, etc.

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS:                                                                              

INHALATION:

SHORT TERM EXPOSURE: irritation, cough, lack of sense of smell, sensitivity to light, changes in blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, headache, drowsiness, dizziness, disorientation, hallucinations, pain in extremities, tremors, visual disturbances, suffocation, lung congestion, internal bleeding, heart disorders, nerve damage, brain damage, convulsions, coma, death

LONG TERM EXPOSURE: loss of appetite, weight loss, irregular heartbeat, headache, sleep disturbances, lung congestion, nerve damage, paralysis, effects on the brain

SKIN CONTACT:

SHORT TERM EXPOSURE: irritation

LONG TERM EXPOSURE: skin disorders

EYE CONTACT:

SHORT TERM EXPOSURE: irritation, sensitivity to light, tearing, blurred vision, visual disturbances

LONG TERM EXPOSURE: irritation, sensitivity to light, tearing, blurred vision, eye damage

INGESTION:

SHORT TERM EXPOSURE: ingestion of a gas is unlikely

LONG TERM EXPOSURE: ingestion of a gas is unlikely

4. FIRST AID MEASURES

INHALATION: If adverse effects occur, remove to uncontaminated area. Give artificial respiration if not breathing. If breathing is difficult, oxygen should be administered by qualified personnel. Get immediate medical attention.

SKIN CONTACT: Wash skin with soap and water for at least 15 minutes while removing contaminated clothing and shoes. Get medical attention, if needed. Thoroughly clean and dry contaminated clothing and shoes before reuse.

EYE CONTACT: Flush eyes with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes. Then get immediate medical attention.

INGESTION: If a large amount is swallowed, get medical attention.

ANTIDOTE: amyl nitrite, inhalation; sodium nitrite, intravenous; pyridoxine, intravenous; urea, intravenous.

CAUTION! Get medical attention immediately.

NOTE TO PHYSICIAN: For inhalation, consider oxygen.

5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES

FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARDS: Severe fire hazard. The vapor is heavier than air. Vapors or gases may ignite at distant ignition sources and flash back. Pressurized containers may rupture or explode if exposed to sufficient heat. Electrostatic discharges may be generated by flow or agitation resulting in ignition or explosion.                                                                               

EXTINGUISHING MEDIA: Let burn unless leak can be stopped immediately. Large fires: Use regular foam or flood with fine water spray.

FIRE FIGHTING: Move container from fire area if it can be done without risk. Withdraw immediately in case of rising sound from venting safety device or any discoloration of tanks due to fire. Cool containers with water spray until well after the fire is out. Keep unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry.  For tank, rail car or tank truck, evacuation radius: Evacuation radius: 800 meters (1/2 mile). Do not attempt to extinguish fire unless flow of material can be stopped first. Flood with fine water spray. Do not scatter spilled material with high-pressure water streams. Cool containers with water. Apply water from a protected

location or from a safe distance. Avoid inhalation of material or combustion by-products. Stay upwind and keep out of low areas. Stop flow of gas.

LOWER FLAMMABLE LIMIT: 4.0-4.3%

UPPER FLAMMABLE LIMIT: 44-46%

AUTOIGNITION: 500 F (260 C)

6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES

AIR RELEASE:

Reduce vapors with water spray. Collect runoff for disposal as potential hazardous waste.

SOIL RELEASE:

Dike for later disposal. Absorb with sand or other non-combustible material. Add an alkaline material (lime, crushed limestone, sodium bicarbonate, or soda ash).

WATER RELEASE:

Add an alkaline material (lime, crushed limestone, sodium bicarbonate, or soda ash).

OCCUPATIONAL RELEASE:

Do not touch spilled material. Stop leak if possible without personal risk. Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition. Remove sources of ignition. Reduce vapors with water spray. Do not get water directly on material. Keep unnecessary people away, isolate hazard area and deny entry. Stay upwind and keep out of low areas. Ventilate closed spaces before entering. Evacuation radius: 150 feet. For tank, rail car or tank truck: 800 meters (1/2 mile). Notify Local Emergency Planning Committee and State Emergency Response Commission for release greater than or equal to RQ (U.S. SARA Section 304). If release occurs in the U.S. and is reportable under CERCLA Section 103, notify the National Response Center at (800)424-

8802 (USA) or (202)426-2675 (USA).

7. HANDLING AND STORAGE

STORAGE: Store and handle in accordance with all current regulations and standards. Protect from physical damage. Store outside or in a detached building. Store in a cool, dry place. Store in a well-ventilated area. Avoid contact with light. Grounding and bonding required. Subject to storage regulations: U.S. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.101. Notify State Emergency Response Commission for storage or use at amounts greater than or equal to the TPQ (U.S. EPA SARA Section 302). SARA Section 303 requires facilities storing a material with a TPQ to participate in local emergency response planning (U.S. EPA 40 CFR 355 Part B). Keep separated from incompatible substances. 
HANDLING: Subject to handling regulations: U.S. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119.

8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS, PERSONAL PROTECTION

EXPOSURE LIMITS:

HYDROGEN SULFIDE:

20 ppm OSHA ceiling

50 ppm OSHA peak 10 minute(s) (once if no other measurable exposure occurs)

10 ppm (14 mg/m3) OSHA TWA (vacated by 58 FR 35338, June 30, 1993)

15 ppm (21 mg/m3) OSHA STEL (vacated by 58 FR 35338, June 30, 1993)

10 ppm ACGIH TWA

15 ppm ACGIH STEL

10 ppm (15 mg/m3) NIOSH recommended ceiling 10 minute(s)

VENTILATION: Ventilation equipment should be explosion-resistant if explosive concentrations of material are present. Provide local exhaust or process enclosure ventilation system. Ensure compliance with applicable exposure limits.

EYE PROTECTION: Wear splash resistant safety goggles with a faceshield. Provide an emergency eye wash fountain and quick drench shower in the immediate work area.

CLOTHING: Wear appropriate chemical resistant clothing.

GLOVES: Wear appropriate chemical resistant gloves.

PROTECTIVE MATERIAL TYPES: butyl rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), neoprene

RESPIRATOR: The following respirators and maximum use concentrations are drawn from NIOSH and/or OSHA.

100 ppm

Any powered, air-purifying respirator with cartridge(s) providing protection against this substance.

Any air-purifying full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front-mounted or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern.

Any supplied-air respirator.

Any self-contained breathing apparatus with a full facepiece.

Emergency or planned entry into unknown concentrations or IDLH conditions -

Any self-contained breathing apparatus that has a full facepiece and is operated in a pressure-demand or other positive-pressure mode.

Any supplied-air respirator with a full facepiece that is operated in a pressure-demand or other positivepressure mode in combination with an auxiliary self-contained breathing apparatus operated in pressuredemand or other positive-pressure mode.

Escape -                                                                              

Any air-purifying full-facepiece respirator (gas mask) with a chin-style, front-mounted or back-mounted canister providing protection against the compound of concern.

Any appropriate escape-type, self-contained breathing apparatus.

9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

PHYSICAL STATE: gas

COLOR: colorless

ODOR: rotten egg odor

TASTE: sweet taste

MOLECULAR WEIGHT: 34.08

MOLECULAR FORMULA: H2-S

BOILING POINT: -78 to -77 F (-61 to -60.3 C)

FREEZING POINT: -123 F (-86 C)

TRIPLE POINT: -122 F (-85.6 C)

VAPOR PRESSURE: 15200 mmHg @ 25 C

VAPOR DENSITY (air=1): 1.2

SPECIFIC GRAVITY (water=1): 1.192

DENSITY: 1.539 g/L @ 0 C

WATER SOLUBILITY: 2.58-2.9% @ 20 C

PH: 4.5-<7 (saturated solution)

VOLATILITY: Not applicable

ODOR THRESHOLD: 0.13 ppm

EVAPORATION RATE: Not applicable

VISCOSITY: 0.0128 cP @ 25 C

COEFFICIENT OF WATER/OIL DISTRIBUTION: Not applicable

SOLVENT SOLUBILITY:

Soluble: carbon disulfide, alcohol, ether, glycerol, gasolines, kerosene, crude oil, alkali solutions

10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY

REACTIVITY: Stable at normal temperatures and pressure.

CONDITIONS TO AVOID: Avoid heat, flames, sparks and other sources of ignition. Minimize contact with material. Avoid inhalation of material or combustion by-products. Keep out of water supplies and sewers.

INCOMPATIBILITIES: combustible materials, metals, oxidizing materials, halogens, metal oxides, metal salts, bases

HAZARDOUS DECOMPOSITION:

Thermal decomposition products: oxides of sulfur

POLYMERIZATION: Will not polymerize.                                                                               

11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION

HYDROGEN SULFIDE:

IRRITATION DATA: 0.000125 ppm/5 hour(s) eyes-human

TOXICITY DATA: 444 ppm inhalation-rat LC50

LOCAL EFFECTS:

Irritant: inhalation, skin, eye

ACUTE TOXICITY LEVEL:

Toxic: inhalation

TARGET ORGANS: blood

MEDICAL CONDITIONS AGGRAVATED BY EXPOSURE: eye disorders, respiratory disorders, nervous system disorders

REPRODUCTIVE EFFECTS DATA: Available.

ADDITIONAL DATA: Alcohol may enhance the toxic effects.

12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION

ECOTOXICITY DATA:

FISH TOXICITY: 14.9 ug/L 96 hour(s) LC50 (Mortality) Fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)

INVERTEBRATE TOXICITY: 9730 ug/L 1.5 hour(s) (Mortality) Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus

galloprovincialis)

ENVIRONMENTAL SUMMARY: Highly toxic to aquatic life.

13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS

Dispose in accordance with all applicable regulations. Subject to disposal regulations: U.S. EPA 40 CFR 262.

Hazardous Waste Number(s): U135.

14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION

U.S. DOT 49 CFR 172.101:

PROPER SHIPPING NAME: Hydrogen sulfide

ID NUMBER: UN1053

HAZARD CLASS OR DIVISION: 2.3

LABELING REQUIREMENTS: 2.3; 2.1

QUANTITY LIMITATIONS:

PASSENGER AIRCRAFT OR RAILCAR: Forbidden

CARGO AIRCRAFT ONLY: Forbidden

ADDITIONAL SHIPPING DESCRIPTION: Toxic-Inhalation Hazard Zone B                                                                                Page 7 of 8

CANADIAN TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS:

SHIPPING NAME: Hydrogen sulphide

UN NUMBER: UN1053

CLASS: 2.3; 2.1

15. REGULATORY INFORMATION

U.S. REGULATIONS:

CERCLA SECTIONS 102a/103 HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES (40 CFR 302.4):

HYDROGEN SULFIDE: 100 LBS RQ

SARA TITLE III SECTION 302 EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES (40 CFR 355 Subpart

B):

HYDROGEN SULFIDE: 500 LBS TPQ

SARA TITLE III SECTION 304 EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES (40 CFR 355 Subpart

C):

HYDROGEN SULFIDE: 100 LBS RQ

SARA TITLE III SARA SECTIONS 311/312 HAZARDOUS CATEGORIES (40 CFR 370 Subparts B

and C):

ACUTE: Yes

CHRONIC: Yes

FIRE: Yes

REACTIVE: No

SUDDEN RELEASE: Yes

SARA TITLE III SECTION 313 (40 CFR 372.65):

HYDROGEN SULFIDE: Administrative stay issued Aug. 22, 1994

OSHA PROCESS SAFETY (29 CFR 1910.119):

HYDROGEN SULFIDE: 1500 LBS TQ

STATE REGULATIONS:

California Proposition 65: Not regulated.

CANADIAN REGULATIONS:

WHMIS CLASSIFICATION: A, B1, D1A, D2B.

NATIONAL INVENTORY STATUS:

U.S. INVENTORY (TSCA): Listed on inventory.

TSCA 12(b) EXPORT NOTIFICATION: Not listed.

CANADA INVENTORY (DSL/NDSL): Listed on inventory.                                                                               

16. OTHER INFORMATION

“RTECS®” is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through Symyx Software, Inc. Portions ©Copyright 2001, U.S. Government. All rights reserved.

©Copyright 1984-2009 ChemADVISOR, Inc. All rights reserved.

MATHESON TRI-GAS, INC. MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES,

GUARANTEES OR REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE PRODUCT OR THE

INFORMATION HEREIN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY

OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR USE. MATHESON TRI-GAS, INC. SHALL NOT BE

LIABLE FOR ANY PERSONAL INJURY, PROPERTY OR OTHER DAMAGES OF ANY NATURE, WHETHER COMPENSATORY, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR OTHERWISE, RESULTING FROM ANY PUBLICATION, USE OR RELIANCE UPON THE INFORMATION HEREIN.  

Meet United Shutdown Staff At The Following Trade Shows!

Meet United Shutdown staff at the following trade shows!  Please contact us to arrange a meeting.

March 28-29, 2011
NSC Texas Safety Conference & Expo

Houston, TX
www.nsctexexpo.com

April 4-6, 2011
GPSA Gas Trade Show
San Antonio, TX
www.gpaglobal.org/convention/2011/

May 10-11, 2011
NPRA, National Safety Conference
Ft. Worth, TX
www.npra.org

May 24-26
NPRA Maintenance & Reliability Conference
Denver, CO
www.npra.org/RMC