Safety Flash
Near-miss: Serious subsea burning incident
Near-miss: Serious subsea burning incident
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 02/12
- Confined SpaceDivingExplosionHot Work and Fire
- Confined space hazardsExplosion
- Hot workSaturation diving
- Ignition source controlRisk assessmentSafety communicationVentilation
- Subsea
Summary
A saturation diver triggered an explosion while burning holes in a toppled submerged quarters building. Air flushing failed to remove trapped explosive gases from its complex interior. Lessons distinguish vent holes from drain holes, address communication and verification, and recommend alternative cutting methods where the absence of explosive gases cannot be assured throughout the job.
Classifications: Confined space hazards; confined-space hazards.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Saturation diving; sat diving.
Classifications: Ignition source control; ignition prevention.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
Underwater burning ignited trapped explosive gases inside a complex submerged structure, narrowly avoiding serious consequences.
IMCA SF 02/12. Themes: confined space, diving, explosion, hot work and fire.