Safety Flash
Near miss: onboard O₂ bottle leaked into diving bell
Near miss: onboard O₂ bottle leaked into diving bell
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 17/18
- DivingEmergency ResponsePressure Systems
- Human factorsLoss of containmentOxygen enrichment
- Diving operations
- Diving bellGas cylinderGas detectorValve
- Atmospheric gas testingOperating and work proceduresPre-use checksVentilation
- Marine industry
Summary
A diving bell near miss involved oxygen supply valves left partly open during pre-dive checks, emptying a bottle into the bell. Distraction, delayed topside readings and distrust of an unreliable analyser were identified. The run was aborted; subsequent measures included atmosphere flushing, additional valve checks, analysers and sourcing buffer tanks.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Oxygen enrichment; oxygen enriched atmosphere.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Diving bell; closed bell; wet bell.
Classifications: Gas cylinder; compressed gas bottle; gas cylinders.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Atmospheric gas testing; gas testing; atmosphere testing.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Summary
Open oxygen valves drained a bottle into a diving bell during pre-dive checks, forcing the bell run to be aborted.
IMCA SF 17/18. Themes: diving, emergency response, pressure systems.