Safety Flash
Battery explosion during routine maintenance
Battery explosion during routine maintenance
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 06/23
- Electrical SafetyExplosionInspection and MaintenancePersonal Protective Equipment
- Electrical safetyExplosion
- Electrical isolationElectrical workInspection and maintenance
- Hand toolsPersonal protective equipment
- Energy and process isolationPreventive maintenance
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A harbour tug’s Chief Engineer sustained minor injuries when a spanner inadvertently short-circuited a battery during preparations to replace a failed disconnect switch. The flash discusses electrical isolation, terminal protection, suitable tools and protective equipment, alongside increased maintenance inspection and consideration of chargers with temperature sensors.
Classifications: Electrical safety; electrical hazards.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Electrical isolation; electrical lockout.
Classifications: Electrical work; electrical maintenance.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Hand tools; hand-held tools; handheld tools.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A Chief Engineer suffered minor injuries in a battery explosion when disconnecting a cable from the battery; the incident occurred onboard a harbour tug
IMCA SF 06/23. Themes: electrical safety, explosion, inspection and maintenance, personal protective equipment.