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Bypassing of storage tanks safety features

The National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority of Australia (NOPSEMA) has published the following Safety Flash regarding instances where safety features associated with machinery space oil and fuel tanks have been intentionally bypassed, including deliberately bypassing the spring return valves of tanks containing hydrocarbon inventories by securing them open via a number of means, including zip ties.

Further information can be found from nopsema.gov.au/assets/Uploads/alert/Alert50.pdf


IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of all. The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on Members sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Please consider adding [email protected] to your internal distribution list for safety alerts or manually submitting information on incidents you consider may be relevant. All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate.

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