Safety Flash
High potential near miss: Nitrogen hose failure during transfer of gas
High potential near miss: Nitrogen hose failure during transfer of gas
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 25/20
- Hazardous SubstancesInspection and MaintenanceIsolationPressure Systems
- Loss of containmentMechanical failureOxygen deficiencyPressure systems
- Fluid transferInspection and maintenance
- Gas detectorHose
- Alarm managementPositive retention and reliable securingPre-use checksPreventive maintenance
Summary
A nitrogen transfer hose detached from its ferrule, releasing approximately 165,000 litres into a pipelay HPU room and reducing oxygen to approximately 17.4%. The degraded hose was absent from the hose register and maintenance regime. The flash recommends rated whip restraints and hose inspections, and records restricted-access signage and low-oxygen alarms.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Mechanical failure; equipment failure.
Classifications: Oxygen deficiency; oxygen deficient; oxygen displacement; oxygen depletion.
Classifications: Pressure systems; stored pressure; pressurised systems; pressurized systems.
Classifications: Fluid transfer; fluid loading; fluid offloading.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Hose; flexible hose.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Positive retention and reliable securing.
Classifications: Pre-use checks; pre-use inspection.
Classifications: Preventive maintenance; preventative maintenance; planned maintenance.
Summary
A supply hose had detached from its ferrule and approximately 165,000 litres of pure nitrogen was released into the room. Consequently this reduced the oxygen levels in the room to approximately 17.4% (normal oxygen content in the atmosphere is 20.8%).
IMCA SF 25/20. Themes: hazardous substances, inspection and maintenance, isolation, pressure systems.