Safety Flash
Isolation of fuel tanks
Isolation of fuel tanks
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 05/06
- Hot Work and FireHydrocarbon ReleaseIsolationPermit to Work
- Hydrocarbon release
- Fluid transferHot work
- Storage tanks
- Energy and process isolationLockout and tagoutPermit to workSafety communication
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A vessel in dry dock accidentally received fuel in a tank prepared for hot work, spilling around seven cubic metres of marine diesel onto the dock. The flash examines ineffective isolation despite permits and lockout/tagout, and recommends blind flanging, recorded isolation tags and communication of open-tank status.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Fluid transfer; fluid loading; fluid offloading.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Lockout and tagout; LOTO; lockout/tagout.
Classifications: Permit to work; PTW; work permit.
Classifications: Safety communication; toolbox talk; toolbox talks.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Fuel entered a tank prepared for hot work and spilled into dry dock, exposing weaknesses in isolation and permit controls.
IMCA SF 05/06. Themes: hot work and fire, hydrocarbon release, isolation, permit to work.