Safety Flash
Dangerous modifications found within a gas valve unit room
Dangerous modifications found within a gas valve unit room
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 12/17
- Management of ChangeProcess Safety
- Barrier managementHydrocarbon releaseOxygen deficiency
- Inspection and maintenance
- Gas detectorHose
- Management of changeVentilation
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A safety flash describes methane exposure in an LNG carrier’s gas valve unit room following damage to an expansion bellows O-ring. An unauthorised hose arrangement could likely have impaired methane detection. The account highlights ventilation and gas monitoring arrangements, and the US Coast Guard’s recommendation for engineering review and approval of modifications.
Classifications: Barrier management; safety barrier management.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Oxygen deficiency; oxygen deficient; oxygen displacement; oxygen depletion.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Hose; flexible hose.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
The USCG has issued Safety Alert 05-17 to warn of a potentially dangerous situation involving modifications within gas valve unit (GVU) rooms aboard a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier.
IMCA SF 12/17. Themes: management of change, process safety.