Safety Flash
UK HSE: Fatal injury following catastrophic failure of pressure test equipment
UK HSE: Fatal injury following catastrophic failure of pressure test equipment
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 06/20
- ExplosionManagement of ChangePressure Systems
- Line of fireMechanical failurePressure systems
- Pressure testing
- Pressure vessel
- Management of change
Summary
A worker suffered fatal shrapnel injuries when a test manifold failed during compressed-air leak testing of eight 1500-litre cylinders. HSE found that mineral oil-based corrosion inhibitor contaminated the manifold during venting and ignited under pressure. The flash highlights failure to identify additional risks when adapting work processes.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Pressure vessel; pressure vessels.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Summary
A 64-year-old worker was fatally wounded by shrapnel ejected from testing equipment
IMCA SF 06/20. Themes: explosion, management of change, pressure systems.