Safety Flash
Oil tank sight glass push buttons wired open
Oil tank sight glass push buttons wired open
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 28/22
- Hydrocarbon ReleaseMachinery and EquipmentProcess Safety
- Barrier managementHydrocarbon release
- Tank gauging and sampling
- Storage tanksValve
- Energy and process isolation
Summary
An engine-room visit identified oil-tank sight-glass push buttons deliberately held open with wire, defeating the gauge’s closing feature. The flash explains that accidental damage to the glass tube could allow tank contents to spill, creating slip and fire hazards and depriving equipment of its intended oil supply.
Classifications: Barrier management; safety barrier management.
Classifications: Hydrocarbon release; hydrocarbon leak; oil and gas release.
Classifications: Tank gauging and sampling.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Valve; valves.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Summary
A sight-glass safety closing feature was deliberately defeated, allowing a damaged tube to release tank contents into the engine room.
IMCA SF 28/22. Themes: hydrocarbon release, machinery and equipment, process safety.