Safety Flash
Oxygen regulator explodes causing injury
Oxygen regulator explodes causing injury
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 10/11
- ExplosionHand and Finger InjuriesPersonal Protective EquipmentPressure Systems
- ExplosionHand and finger injuriesPressure systems
- Diving operations
- Gas cylinderPersonal protective equipmentValve
- Energy and process isolationOperating and work proceduresPre-use checksRisk assessment
- Vessel
Summary
An oxygen regulator exploded during a diving-gas quad changeover aboard a vessel, burning a gasman’s hand. The flash discusses possible valve contamination, unsuitable protective equipment and difficulty isolating oxygen after opening all cylinders. Actions include cleanliness checks, risk assessment and a revised connection sequence with slow pressure equalisation.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Hand and finger injuries; finger injury; hand injury.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Gas cylinder; compressed gas bottle; gas cylinders.
Classifications: Personal protective equipment; PPE; personal protection equipment.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A Member has reported an incident in which an oxygen regulator exploded when the oxygen was turned on, causing a second degree burn injury to someone’s hand.
IMCA SF 10/11. Themes: explosion, hand and finger injuries, personal protective equipment, pressure systems.