Activity
Tank Gauging and Sampling
Gauging tank contents and collecting fluid samples.
Documents
- 20231 Sep
Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction Database, an Industry-Specific Worker Fatality Surveillance System — United States, 2014–2019
This surveillance report describes the creation, coding methods and findings of the Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction database for 2014–2019. It analyses 470 worker fatalities, compares inclusion criteria with other datasets, and discusses prevention opportunities. Missing information, delayed records and underreported road crashes constrain interpretation.
- 2023
Standards for offshore helicopter landing areas (Version 9.1, 7 January 2026; publisher status Current)
Sets criteria for offshore helicopter landing areas on installations and vessels, alongside wind-turbine winching arrangements. Covers structural loading, obstacle protection, surface friction testing, lighting, motion monitoring, meteorological reporting, rescue and fire-fighting, fuel-system design and maintenance, and passenger preparation. The January 2026 amendment introduces arrangements for temporary safety-critical equipment unserviceability.
- 202213 Dec
Oil tank sight glass push buttons wired open
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.
- 20219 Jun
MSF: Tank corrosion
A vessel’s routine tank sounding revealed rising liquid levels and a pinhole leak admitting salt water. Investigation found coating damage from the sounding weight and incorrectly discarded corrosive chemicals had degraded the striking plate and underlying steelwork. Repairs followed, with crew reminded about chemical handling, safety data sheets and authorised hazardous-waste disposal.
- 201811 Apr
Tank Gauging Hazard Alert
This alert explains how opening storage-tank thief hatches can release concentrated hydrocarbon vapours, creating oxygen-deficient, toxic and flammable conditions. It addresses tank gauging, sampling and fluid handling, outlining exposure assessment, gas monitoring, worker training, remote or closed gauging arrangements, ventilation and stopping unsafe work.
- 201819 Mar
Accidental Mixing of Different Fuel Oils
A vessel at anchorage experienced accidental mixing of ultra low sulphur and heavy fuel oils after transfer valves remained open overnight. Gravity transfer contaminated the fuel. The flash identifies inadequate oversight and procedural compliance, describes sampling for laboratory analysis, and records renewed reference to procedures and their display near the operating panel.
- 2018
Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction (FOG) Special Topic Report 2018
NIOSH summarises eight fatalities and ten hospitalisations during 2015–2016 involving ignition, inhalation or suspected inhalation of hazardous gases and vapours during fluid handling at oil and gas sites. Tables distinguish exposures, fires and explosions, activities, fluids and reported outcomes, including cardiac deaths with possible work exposure.
- 20179 Jun
Huge leak discovered in fresh water system
Daily tank soundings revealed a vessel had lost 35 tonnes of fresh water over 24 hours. Checks traced continuous overboard discharge to bain-marie valves left open, without visible overflow. Inadequate supervision was considered the root cause. Valve-location and position signage was displayed, and valve operation explained to mess crew.
- 2017May
Corroded Tanks — Process Safety Beacon, May 2017
This bulletin describes two fatal refinery incidents involving corroded tanks: a hot-work ignition of flammable vapours and an operator falling through a weakened hot-oil tank roof during manual measurement. It highlights uncorrected defects, reporting and escalation of corrosion concerns, and avoiding access onto unsuitable or badly corroded equipment.
- 2016
Health and Safety Risks for Workers Involved in Manual Tank Gauging and Sampling at Oil and Gas Extraction Sites
Joint NIOSH–OSHA alert examines toxic hydrocarbon exposure, oxygen depletion and ignition hazards during manual gauging and sampling of production and flowback tanks. It reviews nine fatalities and field exposure measurements, explains filtering respirator limitations, and recommends closed sampling, atmospheric monitoring, exposure assessment, training and emergency arrangements.
- 2016
NIOSH-OSHA Hazard Alert: Health and Safety Risks for Workers Involved in Manual Tank Gauging and Sampling at Oil and Gas Extraction Sites
Joint NIOSH–OSHA alert examines hydrocarbon inhalation, oxygen deficiency and flammable atmospheres during manual tank gauging and sampling. It reviews nine fatalities and field exposure measurements, explains limitations of air-purifying respirators, and recommends closed sampling, exposure assessment, gas monitors, training and emergency arrangements.
- 201521 Oct
Caribbean Petroleum Corporation (CAPECO) Refinery Tank Explosion and Fire
Investigation of gasoline tank overfill at CAPECO’s petroleum terminal, followed by vapour-cloud ignition and multiple tank fires. It examines unreliable float-and-tape gauging, absent independent overfill safeguards, drainage valves, filling procedures and emergency preparedness. Comparisons with earlier incidents inform recommendations addressing regulatory gaps and automatic overfill protection.
- 2015
Fatalities in Oil and Gas Extraction (FOG) Special Topic Report 2015
NIOSH summarises nine fatalities recorded during 2010–2014 involving crude oil tank gauging, sampling and fluid transfer at well sites. Case narratives examine possible petroleum vapour inhalation, oxygen displacement and reported medical findings. The report describes its surveillance sources and exclusions, while retaining uncertainty about contributing factors and unresolved causes of death.
- 201220 Nov
Electrostatic Charge Results in Methanol Tank Explosion
This alert describes an explosion and flash fire involving a polyethylene methanol storage tank, attributed in its title to electrostatic charge. A worker checking the fluid level touched the inner tank cap; surrounding flammable vapour ignited. He received first aid for a second-degree arm burn.
- 2011Jul
OCE16 - Bulk sampling
Guidance for offshore personnel collecting process-fluid, well-fluid and fuel samples under COSHH. It describes pressure-rated sampling cylinders, valve sequences, safe venting, protective gloves and spill management. Maintenance, personal benzene monitoring to establish control effectiveness, dermatitis checks, training and supervision support the recommended exposure controls.
- 2005Mar
Accidental release of vinyl chloride monomer from liquid gas carrier Coral Acropora exposing at least 33 people to vapours
MAIB investigates a vinyl chloride monomer release aboard Coral Acropora at Runcorn during preparation for cargo discharge. Pump-assisted sampling transferred cargo between tanks, with open valves and overridden safeguards contributing to over-pressurisation. The report examines segregation, alarm overrides, sampling precautions, ship–shore coordination and emergency arrangements.
- 2003Sep
BLSR Operating Ltd. Vapor Cloud Fire — Final Investigation Report
This investigation examines a fatal vapour-cloud deflagration during oilfield waste unloading near Rosharon, Texas. It analyses waste flammability, tank withdrawal methods and diesel-engine ignition, identifying backfire as the most likely ignition source. Recommendations address hazard information, closed-piping transfer, grounding, training and overspeed emergency procedures.
- Undated
Worker Injured Climbing Drip Pan While Checking Diesel Tank Levels
A contract employee checking diesel tank levels on West Delta Platform G lost balance while climbing a drip pan. His left foot became wedged between adjacent pans, causing a fracture and ankle dislocation. The investigation records evacuation, restricted duty and planned stepped access to replace climbing on the pan edge.
- Undated
Entry to enclosed space on passenger cruise ship Saga Rose with 1 person injured and loss of 1 life
An investigation synopsis describes a fatal ballast-tank entry aboard Saga Rose during a Southampton visit. A second bosun entered to check water type; a motorman attempting rescue also collapsed but survived. Corrosion had depleted oxygen. The account examines assumptions about tank contents, permit requirements, enclosed-space procedures and emergency rescue.
- Undated
Major leak of liquefied propane from liquid gas carrier Ennerdale
Investigation synopsis of Ennerdale’s propane leak during cargo sampling at Fawley Marine Terminal. A sampling valve assembly detached and an emergency shutdown valve was jammed open by a burr. An estimated 66 tonnes escaped before sealing. The account examines sampling arrangements, valve testing shortcomings and emergency response, including hot tapping and sealant injection.
- Undated
NIOSH Field Studies, Exposure Assessment, Silica Controls and Gauging and Thiefing
Presentation describing NIOSH field assessments of worker exposure in oil and gas extraction. It examines respirable silica during hydraulic fracturing, dust-source controls and mini-baghouse retrofits, alongside rapid hydrocarbon releases during tank gauging and sampling. Personal sampling, short-task exposure assessment, basin comparisons and closed or remote gauging controls are discussed.
- Undated
Safety warning after accidental release of vinyl chloride monomer from gas carrier
This MAIB bulletin describes a vinyl chloride monomer release during cargo sampling aboard Coral Acropora at Runcorn. Inadvertent valve opening transferred cargo into a full tank, raising pressure and releasing cargo through the mast riser. Recommendations address pump supervision, concurrent operations, valve segregation, system double-checking and safety-feature overrides.