Safety Flash
Engine start air fitting incident
Engine start air fitting incident
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 01/03
- Inspection and MaintenanceMachinery and EquipmentPressure Systems
- Line of fireMechanical failurePressure systems
- Inspection and maintenance
- HoseProcess pipework and pipelines
- Safety communication
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
An engine-start air fitting blew out in a vessel’s engine room, narrowly missing an engineer’s face. Investigation identified vibration-related erosion of brass threads by a steel component and considered initial misalignment likely. The company inspected other fittings, circulated the incident and instructed chief engineers to check fittings and alert maintenance staff.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Hose; flexible hose.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A poorly configured high-pressure air fitting failed under vibration and released pressurised air near an engineer.
IMCA SF 01/03. Themes: inspection and maintenance, machinery and equipment, pressure systems.