Worker suffers life changing injury after pressure test failure
- Safety Flash
- Published on 12 December 2017
- Generated on 23 July 2026
- IMCA SF 30/17
- 1 minute read
The UK HSE advises that three companies were sentenced after an employee suffered serious fractures to his leg.
What happened?
An employee of one company was taking part in a pressure test of a boiler at the site of a second company.
A third company was assisting in the pressure test.
The injured person was there to verify the test.
What went wrong?
A valve on a pressure test rig was pressurised above the safe working limit and failed, causing the hose and metal fitting assembly to whip round, striking the employee on the right leg, causing serious compound fractures.
As a result of the incident, the injured person had his leg amputated from the knee down. The HSE’s principal inspector noted that all three companies had failed the injured person. If appropriate pressure relief had been fitted and the companies had put in place a system of work that was safe, then this person would not have been exposed to the harm he suffered.
Actions
IMCA notes that particularly close attention to responsibility for safety should be taken where different companies or organisations are working together at the same site.
Related safety flashes
-
IMCA SF 12/05
30 December 2005
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.