Safety Flash
Fatality: Pressure build-up leading to sudden release of mechanical plug
Fatality: Pressure build-up leading to sudden release of mechanical plug
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 08/03
- Control of WorkHot Work and FireIsolationPressure Systems
- Learning from incidentsLine of firePressure systems
- Hot work
- HoseProcess pipework and pipelines
- Energy and process isolationJob safety analysisOperating and work proceduresPressure relief
Summary
A welder died when pressure behind a non-pressure-containing mechanical plug ejected it during welding on produced-water pipework. Freezing water vapour blocked the nitrogen purge vent. The flash examines inadequate vent monitoring, hazard analysis and incorporation of earlier near-miss lessons, and describes revised isolation, purging and pressure-control procedures.
Classifications: Learning from incidents; incident learning; lessons learnt; lessons learned.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Hot work; welding and cutting.
Classifications: Hose; flexible hose.
Classifications: Process pipework and pipelines; process piping.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Job safety analysis; JSA; job hazard analysis; JHA.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Pressure relief; overpressure protection.
Summary
Pressure accumulated behind a mechanical plug during purging and welding, ejecting it fatally and exposing weaknesses in isolation and work controls.
IMCA SF 08/03. Themes: control of work, hot work and fire, isolation, pressure systems.