Hydrogen Sulphide Awareness

Course overview
Learn to recognise hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) hazards, reduce exposure risks and respond safely to emergencies. This course explains where H₂S may occur, why smell is an unreliable warning, and how workplace controls, gas monitoring and appropriate respiratory protection support worker safety.

Who should attend?
Workers, contractors, supervisors and safety personnel in petroleum, construction, mining, pulp and paper, metal processing, wastewater treatment and other workplaces where H₂S may be encountered.

What you will learn

• Identify H₂S names, properties, sources and release pathways.
• Recognise exposure routes, symptoms and potential health effects.
• Understand exposure limits, alarm settings and their different purposes.
• Apply the hierarchy of controls to reduce exposure.
• Explain gas detector checks, measurement methods and limitations.
• Recognise confined-space requirements and respiratory protection limitations.
• Describe safe evacuation, emergency reporting and rescue boundaries.
• Explain first aid after safe removal from a contaminated area.

Course modules

1. Recognise H₂S and its properties.
2. Find sources, release points and gas pathways.
3. Understand exposure and health effects.
4. Interpret exposure limits and alarm settings.
5. Control exposure before relying on PPE.
6. Detect and measure H₂S correctly.
7. Confined spaces and task authorisation.
8. Respiratory protection and its limits.
9. Emergency response without creating more victims.
10. First aid, incident learning and workplace readiness.

Learning resources
Detailed explanation notes, safety diagrams, workplace scenarios, video resources, study activities, a glossary, further reading and a printable workplace checklist.

Delivery: Online, self-paced
Estimated duration: 3–4 hours
Assessment: 25 multiple-choice questions
Pass mark: 80% — at least 20 correct answers
Completion: Review all 10 modules and pass the assessment.

Training scope
This is a non-accredited awareness course. Completion does not authorise confined-space entry, gas testing, respirator use or H₂S rescue. These activities require additional practical training, demonstrated competence and workplace authorisation.