053-4 Wyo. Code R. §§ 4-5 - Emergency Equipment

(a) The well operator shall advise the special services 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 dusts. The employer shall insure that servicing is not permitted until sufficient tests have been made with appropriate instruments or equipment to determine the extent of the 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 Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S), the following limits of exposure shall apply [in parts per million (ppm)]:

(A) Ceiling value = 20 ppm

(B) Time weighted average (TWA) = 10 pm

(C) Acceptable maximum peak above the acceptable ceiling concentration for an 8-hour shift 50 ppm [10 minutes once only if no other measurable exposure occurs.]

(ii) Where two (2) or more special services employees are on site, a minimum of two (2) approved positive-pressure or pressure-demand-type breathing equipment for use in H₂S shall be available on location when working in a known or suspected H₂S zone or area.

(A) An approved escape breathing apparatus shall be provided for each special services person on the work site.

(iii) Blowers used for emergency purging or ventilation shall be of a non-sparking type.

(b) In the case of an oxygen deficient atmosphere [less than 16% by volume], any employee entering such area shall be required to use either self-contained or supplied-air respiratory equipment.

(c) In the case of a toxic atmosphere, any employee entering such area shall be required to use respiratory protection approved for such atmosphere.

(d) In addition, any employee entering confined spaces with toxic atmospheres or lack of sufficient oxygen 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 an emergency, and to attend to the retrieval of the life line.

(e) Selection of respiratory protective devices shall be in accordance with the American National Standard Practices for Respiratory Protection, ANSI Z88.2-1969.

(f) All respirators on work locations shall be:

(i) Cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis. Those issued for the exclusive use of one worker should be cleaned after each day's use or more often if necessary. Those used by more than one worker shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to each different worker's use;

(ii) Housed in a proper container which wall ensure clean and sanitary storage;

(iii) Inspected at least monthly by a qualified person and documented for constant service readiness; if rented, inspected prior to each use, but at least monthly; and

(iv) Serviced and brought back to readiness after each use.

(v) Self contained breathing apparatus shall be inspected monthly and documentation of the most recent inspection shall be kept. Air cylinders shall be fully charged according to manufacturer's specifications. The regulator and warning devices shall be determined to function properly.

[NOTE: Caution should be observed when using self contained breathing apparatus (air packs) at low temperatures due to potential pressure drop resulting in shorter working time. To reduce fogging of the facemask, nose cups should be used.]

(vi) Disposable respirators are not required to meet the requirements of subsection (f) herein, with the exception of subsection (f)(ii) above.

(g) All employees shall have been fit tested and trained in the use and operation of the employer-provided breathing equipment available on the job site within the past 12 months, and shall be retrained at least annually thereafter. Employees with facial contours, physical impairments, or hair or beard styles that would interfere with the face-to-mask seal necessary for proper respiratory protection shall not enter into areas in which such protection may be necessary.

(h) A first aid kit, not less than a 10-unit type shall be maintained at the services site, and inspected at frequent intervals (at least monthly). The first aid kit shall be replenished after each major usage and shall be kept in a sanitary and usable condition.

(i) 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 bandages, etc.

(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 of the special services contractor 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) In addition to the first aid kit which must be kept on the equipment or at the place of work, there should be available within the closest practicable distance from the operation, not to exceed five (5) minutes, the following items:

(i) One (1) set of arm and leg splints (or materials suitable for such purposes); and

(ii) Two (2) all wool blankets or blankets equal in strength and fire resistance.

(k) Each special services crew of two (2) or more employees shall have one (1) or more employees present at the work site and who is adequately trained to render first aid and shall have a valid certificate from the American Red Cross or equivalent training that can be verified by documentary evidence. C.P.R. (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) training should be received by first aid trained employees at least every three (3) years.

(l) Where hazardous chemicals are being used, there shall be a readily accessible means for the immediate flushing of the eyes and/or skin areas. The eyewash container shall be a minimum of one (1) pint with a sufficient quantity of flushing fluid to refill the container at least five (5) times.

Notes

053-4 Wyo. Code R. §§ 4-5