HSE guidelines HNITROGEN GAS

April 2017

NITROGEN GAS

Work safely or don’t work at all

There are strict procedures when working on installations and systems. After all, there’s a risk for hazardous substances to be released. Therefore read the Permit to Work carefully and check if the described control measures have been taken. Then take the precautionary measures which belong to your job.

Always be alert to prevent hazardous substances from being released. When in doubt: always ask or stop working!

Speaking the same clear language regarding Health, Safety and Environment,and harmonisation of regulations by focusing primarily on agreements between companies and contractors.

That is the goal the member parties of HSElife NL pursue.

As well as the information that has already been harmonised, location and company-specific information also applies. Ask for it!

NITROGEN GAS

Nitrogen gas is naturally present in the air, of which it makes up approximately 78%. In exploration and production operations, highly compressed nitrogen gas is used for maintenance and inspection purposes. When it’s released, it displaces the oxygen in the atmosphere. In concentrations higher than natural levels, nitrogen gas poses a major health risk. It can even lead to death. This means that extreme caution is necessary when nitrogen gas is being used.

NITROGEN GAS

NITROGEN GAS

PROPERTIES OF NITROGEN GAS

• odourless• tasteless• invisible• non-combustible• oxygen displacing

NITROGEN GAS

MAIN EXPOSURE MOMENTS

Maintenance and inspections:• purging (rinsing) of installations to remove toxic and combustible substances/materials• making and keeping tanks, vessels and pipe work inert• pressure testing

Please note: after using nitrogen gas in installations it may (with insufficient ventilation) remain in the installation as well as in the immediate area. Nitrogen gas is heavier than air!

NITROGEN GAS

HEALTH RISKS

In general nitrogen gas displaces oxygen

Inhalation difficulty breathing, headache, dizziness, nausea, unconsciousness, death through asphyxiation

Skin contact risk of freezing: redness, pain, blisters, wounds

Eye contact risk of freezing: redness, pain, vision impairment

NITROGEN GAS

PERSONALPROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Always use the correct extra PPEs in work areas where nitrogen gas is suspected:

• independent respiratory protection equipment (so never use a face mask with filter)

• protective gloves if there is a risk of contact with nitrogen gas and/ or with parts containing nitrogen gas

NITROGEN GAS

PREPARING FOR WORK

• read the work permit carefully• be sure you are familiar with the risks of the job• thoroughly discuss those risks (toolbox meeting)• inspect your work area• familiarize with safe routes and assembly point(s)• take the necessary precautionary measures• use the correct (extra) PPEs• respect the markings of areas with potentially high concentrations of nitrogen gas

NITROGEN GAS

PREVENTING EXPOSURE –BEFORE STARTING WORK

• monitoring of oxygen levels by an authorized gas tester

• registration of these measurements in the work permit

NITROGEN GAS

PREVENTING EXPOSURE –DURING WORK

• work and operate according to procedures and instructions• use the correct (extra) PPEs• have measurements carried out regularly• work with wind to your back• ensure good ventilation or have extra air extraction placed

Please note: stop the work in case of uncertainties, danger or deviations from the work permit; never improvise!

NITROGEN GAS

IN CASE OF CALAMITIES

Ensure your own safety first:• leave the area diagonally to the wind• go to an assembly point located in a windward location

Please note: never enter the work area again without independent respiratory protection equipment!

NITROGEN GAS

IN GEVAL VAN BLOOTSTELLING

In general - when rescuing victims use independent respiratory protection equipment only (pressurized air)

Inhalation - request medical assistance immediately - commence artificial resuscitation until professional help arrives

Skin contact - rinse with plenty of lukewarm and clean water - if clothing is stuck to the skin, never peel it off Eye contact - rinse with plenty of lukewarm and clean water - remove any contact lenses (if possible)

Severe exposure - alert a doctor immediately - contact the health and safety service

NITROGEN GAS

Report any unforeseen event or situation that deviates from the work permit to the site

manager / supervisor immediately.

NITROGEN GAS

QUESTIONS? MORE INFORMATION?

You can always approach the site manager/supervisor.

Work with the wind behind you and make sure the workplace is properly ventilated

Cordon off the workplace and respect barriers and cordons

Have oxygen levels measured by an authorised gas tester

Take measurements regularly

Use the required additional PPE in workplaces with a risk of exposure to nitrogen

5 TO REMEMBER1

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IMPORTANT! Nitrogen is heavier than air! This can result in hazardous situations, for example after nitrogen has been used in an area with insufficient ventilation.

NITROGEN GAS

QUESTION

1. What are the characteristics of nitrogen gas?

A) It smells strongly, it’s invisible, non-combustible and it’s oxygen displacing.

B) It smells strongly, it’s invisible, tasteless, non-combustible, toxic and it’s oxygen displacing.

C) It’s odourless, invisible, tasteless, non-combustible and it’s oxygen displacing.

NITROGEN GAS

ANSWER

1. What are the characteristics of nitrogen gas?

A) It smells strongly, it’s invisible, non-combustible and it’s oxygen displacing.

B) It smells strongly, it’s invisible, tasteless, non-combustible, toxic and it’s oxygen displacing.

C) It’s odourless, invisible, tasteless, non-combustible and it’s oxygen displacing.

NITROGEN GAS

QUESTION

2. What are the main exposure moments of nitrogen gas?

A) During purging (rinsing) of installations to remove toxic and combustible substances and materials. If there’s insufficient ventilation after using nitrogen gas in installations it may remain in the installation as well as in the immediate area because it’s lighter than air.

B) During purging (rinsing) of installations to remove toxic and combustible substances and materials. But also when you make and keep tanks, vessels and pipe work inert and during pressure testing. If there’s insufficient ventilation after using nitrogen gas in installations it may remain in the installation as well as in the immediate area because it’s heavier than air.

C) During purging (rinsing) of installations to remove toxic and combustible substances and materials. But also when you make and keep tanks, vessels and pipe work inert and during pressure testing. Beside nitrogen gas is a by product of gas extraction. If there’s insufficient ventilation after using nitrogen gas in installations it may remain in the installation as well as in the immediate area because it’s heavier than air.

NITROGEN GAS

ANSWER

2. What are the main exposure moments of nitrogen gas?

A) During purging (rinsing) of installations to remove toxic and combustible substances and materials. If there’s insufficient ventilation after using nitrogen gas in installations it may remain in the installation as well as in the immediate area because it’s lighter than air.

B) During purging (rinsing) of installations to remove toxic and combustible substances and materials. But also when you make and keep tanks, vessels and pipe work inert and during pressure testing. If there’s insufficient ventilation after using nitrogen gas in installations it may remain in the installation as well as in the immediate area because it’s heavier than air.

C) During purging (rinsing) of installations to remove toxic and combustible substances and materials. But also when you make and keep tanks, vessels and pipe work inert and during pressure testing. Beside nitrogen gas is a by product of gas extraction. If there’s insufficient ventilation after using nitrogen gas in installations it may remain in the installation as well as in the immediate area because it’s heavier than air.

NITROGEN GAS

QUESTION

3. What are the hazards of nitrogen gas?

A) If you inhale nitrogen gas you can get difficulty breathing and you can get a headache. You experience dizziness and nausea. You can even get unconscious and die because nitrogen gas is extemely toxic.

B) If nitrogen gas comes into direct contact with your skin it may freeze. This creates redness, you get pain, blisters and wounds.

C) Nitrogen gas displaces oxygen. If nitrogen gas comes into direct contact with your eyes you get blind.

NITROGEN GAS

ANSWER

3. What are the hazards of nitrogen gas?

A) If you inhale nitrogen gas you can get difficulty breathing and you can get a headache. You experience dizziness and nausea. You can even get unconscious and die because nitrogen gas is extemely toxic.

B) If nitrogen gas comes into direct contact with your skin it may freeze. This creates redness, you get pain, blisters and wounds.

C) Nitrogen gas displaces oxygen. If nitrogen gas comes into direct contact with your eyes you get blind.

NITROGEN GAS

QUESTION

4. What extra personal protection equipment should you use in areas where you think nitrogen gas may be used?

A) Independent respiratory protection equipment, for example a face mask with filter. Also wear protective gloves if there is a risk of contact with nitrogen gas or with parts containing nitrogen gas.

B) Independent respiratory protection equipment, so never use a face mask with filter. Also wear protective gloves if there is a risk of contact with nitrogen gas or with parts containing nitrogen gas.

C) Independent respiratory protection equipment, so never use a face mask with filter. Also wear protective gloves if there is a risk of contact with nitrogen gas or with parts containing nitrogen gas. In addition you also need measuring equipment for regularly carrying out gas measurements.

NITROGEN GAS

ANSWER

4. What extra personal protection equipment should you use in areas where you think nitrogen gas may be used?

A) Independent respiratory protection equipment, for example a face mask with filter. Also wear protective gloves if there is a risk of contact with nitrogen gas or with parts containing nitrogen gas.

B) Independent respiratory protection equipment, so never use a face mask with filter. Also wear protective gloves if there is a risk of contact with nitrogen gas or with parts containing nitrogen gas.

C) Independent respiratory protection equipment, so never use a face mask with filter. Also wear protective gloves if there is a risk of contact with nitrogen gas or with parts containing nitrogen gas. In addition you also need measuring equipment for regularly carrying out gas measurements.

NITROGEN GAS

QUESTION

5. How do you prevent exposure to nitrogen gas during work?

A) Regularly carry out gas measurements yourself and register the outcome on the Permit to Work, work with the wind to your back and ensure good ventilation or have extra air extraction placed.

B) Have measurements carried out regularly and register the outcome on the Permit to Work, work with the wind to your back and ensure good ventilation or have extra air extraction placed.

C) Have measurements carried out regularly, work with the wind to your back and ensure good ventilation or have extra air extraction placed.

NITROGEN GAS

ANSWER

5. How do you prevent exposure to nitrogen gas during work?

A) Regularly carry out gas measurements yourself and register the outcome on the Permit to Work, work with the wind to your back and ensure good ventilation or have extra air extraction placed.

B) Have measurements carried out regularly and register the outcome on the Permit to Work, work with the wind to your back and ensure good ventilation or have extra air extraction placed.

C) Have measurements carried out regularly, work with the wind to your back and ensure good ventilation or have extra air extraction placed.