Safety Flash
Underwater explosions
Underwater explosions
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 05/04
- DivingExplosionHot Work and FireHydrocarbon Release
- ExplosionHydrogen safety
- Diving operationsHot work
- Personal protective equipment
- Competence and trainingRisk assessment
- Marine industry
- Subsea
Summary
Four underwater oxy-arc cutting incidents injured divers working on ship plating and tanks. The flash discusses trapped gas, hydrogen generation, blow backs and flammable residues. It recommends detailed risk assessment and competent personnel, and describes hard helmets, cold cutting and inert-gas flushing as risk management measures.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Hydrogen safety.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Subsea; underwater worksite.
Summary
Several underwater oxy-arc cutting explosions injured divers after hydrogen, oxygen or residual hydrocarbons accumulated in enclosed spaces.
IMCA SF 05/04. Themes: diving, explosion, hot work and fire, hydrocarbon release.