Safety Flash
Near miss: Fire of electrical distribution board during diving operations
Near miss: Fire of electrical distribution board during diving operations
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 10/19
- DivingElectrical SafetyHot Work and FireIsolation
- Electrical safetyFire
- Diving operationsElectrical work
- Switchgear
- Energy and process isolationLockout and tagoutPermit to workSimultaneous operations coordination
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A barge lost electrical power during air diving at 18 msw when breaker removal created a short circuit and bus-bar flash fire. The diver was recovered using backup power without injury. The flash identifies failures in isolation, lockout/tagout, work permitting and communication between simultaneous electrical and diving operations.
Classifications: Electrical safety; electrical hazards.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Electrical work; electrical maintenance.
Classifications: Switchgear; switch gear.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Lockout and tagout; LOTO; lockout/tagout.
Classifications: Permit to work; PTW; work permit.
Classifications: Simultaneous operations coordination; SIMOPS; simultaneous operations.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Removing a live distribution-board breaker caused a bus-bar flash fire and power loss during diving operations.
IMCA SF 10/19. Themes: diving, electrical safety, hot work and fire, isolation.