Safety Alert
Repairing Centrifugal Pump Results in a Near-Miss
Repairing Centrifugal Pump Results in a Near-Miss
- IADC
- Safety Alert
- IADC Alert 10-23
- Inspection and MaintenanceMachinery and Equipment
- ExplosionLine of fireMechanical failure
- Hot workInspection and maintenance
- Pumps
Read at IADCOpens the publisher’s page on iadc.org
Summary
A near-miss occurred while a welder heated a seized threaded impeller on a centrifugal mud pump to aid removal. Grease within the O-ring-sealed thread cavity expanded under torch heating, causing the cast centre of the impeller to burst outwards and strike a nearby welding machine.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Pumps.
IADC Alert 10-23. Themes: inspection and maintenance, machinery and equipment.