Injury: Failure of subsea HP water jetting gun
- Safety Flash
- Published on 19 July 2011
- Generated on 22 February 2025
- IMCA SF 07/11
- 2 minute read
Following publication in IMCA Safety Flash 05/11 (Diver safety – high pressure water jetting), which reported an incident where an injury sustained by a diver after the subsea failure of a high pressure (HP) water jetting gun, a Member would like to draw attention to a similar earlier incident.
Whilst using an HP water jetting gun underwater, the rear barrel of the gun became unscrewed and fell causing minor injury to the diver’s left arm. There was no injury or damage caused by the HP water jet. Upon closer inspection, it was noticed that the threads on the barrel were worn.
Our Member noted that:
- The rear barrel of the gun is a protective cover designed to be screwed onto the gun, to protect the diver from the (equalising) HP water jet at the rear during work.
- It is possible that due to constant handling, the barrel may have become loose at the screw end.
- Failure of pre-use inspection to check the tightness of the barrel may also have contributed to the barrel falling off.
Subsequently, modifications were made to this and all similar HP water jetting guns, in order to prevent recurrence of the incident.
modifications made to HP water jetting gun
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is 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.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.