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Fatality: overpressure of an explosion-proof enclosure - DEV imca
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Fatality: overpressure of an explosion-proof enclosure

What happened?

International Association of Oil & Gas Producers (IOGP) has published an alert regarding an incident in which an engineer was fatally injured. He was killed when he removed the cover on an explosion-proof enclosure, as part of a routine task. The threaded cover, measuring 35cm across and weighing around 6kg, was forcefully propelled from the enclosure as the engineer unscrewed it, inflicting fatal head injuries.

What went wrong? What were the causes?

  • Pressure built up inside the enclosure from leaking sample gas or instrument air components;
  • The enclosure was not equipped with an external indicator to indicate the pressure inside;
  • There was no means to relieve internal pressure in the enclosure.

What lessons were learnt? What actions were taken?

IOGP identify the following lessons:

  • Recognize the potential hazard of trapped pressure in explosion-proof electrical enclosures from all sources of energy entering the enclosure;
  • Identify explosion-proof enclosures which are susceptible to trapped pressure scenarios and do not have pressure indication or pressure relief protection;
  • Work with equipment manufacturers to develop a mitigation plan that addresses the trapped pressure situation while still maintaining the electrical certification of the identified enclosures.

The incident can be found on the IOGP website.

Members may wish to review the following fatal incidents. It will be seen that the sudden and unplanned release of stored pressure is a high potential incident and frequently lead to serious injury and fatalities.

Safety Event

Published: 5 October 2017
Download: IMCA SF 24/17

Relevant life-saving rules:
IMCA Safety Flashes
Submit a Report

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 safetyreports@imca-int.com 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.

IMCA’s store terms and conditions (https://www.imca-int.com/legal-notices/terms/) apply to all downloads from IMCA’s website, including this document.

IMCA makes every effort to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained in the documents it publishes, but IMCA shall not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained. The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual’s or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.