Grit hose parting: Near-miss incident
- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 November 2001
- Generated on 21 August 2026
- IMCA SF 13/01
- 1 minute read
A Member reports that while a diver was working on a grit-blasting operation, the grit hose parted from the coupling connection on deck.
What happened?
No one was injured and nothing was damaged.
The LP compressor was shut down immediately and a safety meeting was conducted onboard to discuss the reasons for the parting and the precautions necessary to prevent reoccurrence.
The company has set out the following checks to be made before use of the equipment:
- Check the condition of the hose for any physical damage.
- Check all hose-line clamps (including gun end and compressor end) for tightness, to ensure no inadvertent parting of the hose while in use.
- All hose connections are to be secured with safety rope to prevent a whiplash effect if parted.
- Insurance wire is to be fixed on all quick-release ‘Chicago’ couplings to prevent inadvertent parting of couplings while in use.
- All hose lines are to be anchored/secured with rope to fixed structures, again to prevent a whiplash effect if parted.
- One person is to be available to man the compressor and blast-pot at all times while work is in progress.
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.