Safety Flash
Injuries due to failure of diver’s emergency gas cylinder
Injuries due to failure of diver’s emergency gas cylinder
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 19/14
- DivingMachinery and EquipmentPressure Systems
- Line of fireMechanical failurePressure systems
- Diving operationsInspection and maintenance
- Gas cylinderValve
- Independent audit and verificationOperating and work procedures
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
Five divers preparing for a dive aboard a diving support vessel were injured when a valve parted from an emergency air cylinder filled to 180 bar. Preliminary assessment identified incompatible cylinder and valve threads. The flash recommends compatibility checks, traceable identification, working procedures and inspection audit assurance.
Classifications: Line of fire; struck-by hazards.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Gas cylinder; compressed gas bottle; gas cylinders.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Independent audit and verification.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
An incompatible valve and cylinder thread caused a high-pressure valve to part and injure five divers preparing for a dive.
IMCA SF 19/14. Themes: diving, machinery and equipment, pressure systems.