Proforma Safety Blog

Poor Job Planning Could Have Resulted in a Welding Disaster

Posted by proforma on April 6, 2010  |  No Comments

In light of the recent catastrophic event at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, WA, it’s important to review all safety procedures with all personnel. This narrowly avoided incident serves as yet another warning to follow proper Permit to Work (PTW) procedures.

The job involved welding of the tank and piping of a rig accumulator supply tank.  The welder was unaware that the tank had not been purged nor cleaned, and the lid was closed and secured.  A passing rig site senior mechanic spotted the welder and realized the explosive atmosphere that existed. He immediately called a stop to the operation.

The situation was compounded by the fact that no pre-job safety check off list had been completed. There was not a well defined fire watch, as the designated person was involved in other duties at the time and no replacement identified. A fire extinguisher or pressurized water hose was not within the working vicinity as required by policy and the Permit to Work procedure. And although a PTW document had been issued, the appropriate personnel were not involved. The document had been incorrectly filled out and many details were not followed as required.

Welder Electrocuted by Damaged Cord

Posted by proforma on May 21, 2009  |  No Comments

A 220-volt floodlight caused the death of a welder when its cord became pinched between the fixture and a mounting bracket. Tragically, the light had been determined to be inappropriate for the job and set aside, but not disconnected.

The location: a bilge pump room in the column of a semi submersible. Conditions were hot, 97 degrees, and the welder’s coveralls were soaked with perspiration. A Permit To Work (PTW) and Job Safety Analysis (JSA) had been completed, but reports are the PTW didn’t capture all the elements (confined space, ventilation, electrical hazard, etc.) The JSA was not specific to the job.

Among the corrective actions taken was a “hazard hunt” of the rig fleet focused on portable lights, power tools and electric cords. Rig supervisors were not only urged to enforce STOP(TM), but one STOP card per person per day on board was mandated.

Further details on steps taken to prevent repeat of the incident are detailed here on the International Association of Drilling Contractors site.