053-4 Wyo. Code R. § 4-5

Current through April 27, 2019

Section 4-5 - Emergency Equipment

(a) The well operator shall advise the servicing organization of any area which has or may contain insufficient oxygen or has been or may be contaminated by flammable or toxic gases, vapors or dust. The employer shall ensure that servicing is not performed until sufficient tests have been made with appropriate instruments or equipment to determine extent of hazard. If a hazard exists the area must be purged to reduce the hazard to an allowable concentration, or all employees shall be provided with proper protective equipment.

• (i) In the event of the presence of H₂S(hydrogen sulfide) the following limits of exposure shall apply:
  • (A) Ceiling value = 10 ppm.
  • (B) Time weighted average (TWA) = 10 ppm
  • (C) Acceptable maximum peak above the acceptable ceiling concentration for an eight (8)hour shift = 50 ppm. (10 minutes once only if no other measurable exposure occurs.)

• (ii) Self-contained breathing equipment especially designed for use in H₂S shall be available on location for each on-duty person, when working in a known or suspected H₂S environment.

• (iii) Equipment to purge area shall be available on location, in position to be used during the period the well is being worked on or as long as there is a possibility of escape of gas in amounts to be harmful.

• (iv) Blower used for ventilation shall be a non-sparking type.

(b) In the case of toxic atmosphere or lack of oxygen, any employee entering such area shall be required to use the proper respiratory equipment.

(c) In addition, any employee entering such atmospheres as specified in 5.b. of this section, shall be required to wear a body harness with attached life line for emergency retrieval. An employee shall be stationed outside the hazard area with the proper rescue equipment to assist in case of emergency, and to attend to the retrieval of the life line.

(d) Canister-type filter masks shall be used only in an area where sufficient oxygen exists (at least 16 percent by volume).

• (i) Canister-type filter masks shall be used only in areas where their capabilities will not be exceeded. Such canisters shall be approved for the hazardous contaminant.

(e) In those atmospheres where tests indicate oxygen content is less than that necessary to sustain life (normally considered 16 percent oxygen by volume), employees shall be provided with and required to use self-contained respirators (air packs); or

(f) Supplied-air respirators may be used instead of self-contained respirators in subsection e. of this section. In the event supplied-air respirators are used, they shall be selected, used and maintained in accordance with 1910.134 - Respiratory Protection, of the Wyoming Occupational Health and Safety 1910-General Rules.

(g) All respirators on work locations shall be:

• (i) Housed in a proper cabinet or other appropriate container located close to, but not within, the potential area of use;

• (ii) Inspected at least monthly and documented for constant service readiness; except, if rented, prior to each use, but at least monthly.

  Note: Caution should be observed when using self-contained respirators (airpacks) at low temperatures due to pressure drop.

• (iii) Serviced and brought back to readiness after each usage.

(h) All employees shall be trained in the use and operation of employer provided breathing equipment available on the job and employees whose facial contours, physical impairments, hair or beard styles that would interfere with the seal necessary for respiratory protective devices, shall not enter areas in which such protection devices may be necessary.

(i) A poster shall be conspicuously displayed at or near all radios and/or radio phones stating the phone numbers of available doctors, hospitals, and ambulance services. In lieu of the posting requirement herein, the base station shall have such information on hand and the base station be constantly attended during all working hours, and all unit-to-base radios in the field have a conspicuous label stating: "In an emergency, contact the base station", or similar wording.

(j) A first aid kit (not less than 16 unit type) shall be maintained at the servicing site and inspected at frequent intervals. The first aid kit shall be replenished after each major usage and shall be kept in a sanitary and usable condition.

• (i) First aid station(s) shall be located as close as practicable to the highest concentration of personnel.

• (ii) First aid stations shall be well marked and available to personnel during all working hours.

• (iii) One person holding a valid first aid certificate shall be responsible for the proper use and maintenance of the first-aid stations(s).

• (iv) A "unit" is defined as a package, bottle or other container which contains a specific item of first-aid material. For example, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a box of adhesive bandages, a box with a roll of gauze bandage, etc.

• (v) In addition to the first-aid kit which must be kept on the equipment or at the place of work, there shall be available within the closest practicable distance from the operations (not to exceed five minutes) the following items:
  • (A) One (1) set of arm and leg splints;
  • (B) Two (2) all wool blankets or blankets equal in fire resistance.

(k) One (1) or more employees on each servicing unit shall be adequately trained to render first aid, shall have a valid certificate from the American Red Cross or equivalent training that can be verified by documentary evidence and who will always be present.

(l) Where harmful chemicals are being used, readily accessible facilities shall be available for rapid flushing of the eyes and/or skin areas.

(m) Toilet facilities. [Reserved]

053-4 Wyo. Code R. § 4-5