SAFELAND TRAINING
There are a wide range of respiratory hazards that can occur in the oil and gas industry, such as harmful particles, hazardous vapors, and toxic atmospheres. The RigPass and SafeLand programs train oil and gas workers to gain an awareness level of these hazards and teach them how to protect themselves from them.
TYPES OF HAZARDS
Oil and gas respiratory hazards are broken down into 4 main types:
- Chemical hazards such as from oil or other petrochemicals and vapors.
- Hydrogen Sulfide, a highly toxic gas requiring special training.
- Oxygen deficiency and, in the case of confined spaces especially, enrichment.
- Particulates, silicates, and smoke.
RESPIRATORY PROTECTION TRAINING
In order to protect themselves from these hazards, SafeLand trains that oil and gas workers must select a proper respirator and be trained in its use. Air purifying respirators are often used for particulate and chemical vapors. They have little to no protection when encountering hazardous atmospheres.
When a hazardous atmosphere must be worked in, a supplied air respirator must be used. The worker must be properly trained and fit tested prior to donning the respirator in order to ensure the maximum level of protection. During the SafeLand training, we bring oilfield workers this material at the awareness level.
In addition to training with respirator use, SafeLand trains that oil and gas workers must be able to take proper care of the respirator equipment when it is not in use. This includes cleaning, inspecting, and storing the respirator so that in can continue to offer an adequate level of fit and protection. Should the respirator begin to show wear or damage, it is time to discard it and purchase a new one.
FURTHER TRAINING
Of course, none of this training is meant as a substitute for the site-specific oilfield training that is required for the various respiratory hazards. Fit testing and respirator training are done separately outside of SafeLand as the RigPass program is too broad to go into that kind of detail for each individual respirator.
Recommended Training: SafeLand San Antonio
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