Alert
  • Published: 7 Sept 2018
  • Incident ID: 4183

Hydraulic hose failure: risk of injection injury

Cause & Consequence

  • Other

Other Cause & Consequence

Inadequate storage and maintenance of hoses: The equipment had been subject to a high level of use during the shutdown and were frequently being moved around site. The equipment was loose whilst being transported, i.e. it was not in a storage box.

Contributing Factor

  • Complacency
  • Control of work

Description of Process

Hydraulic flange spreaders were being used to remove a gasket from pipework during a shut down.

Description of Incident

A Mechanical Technician was using hydraulic flange spreaders to remove a gasket from pipework during a shutdown. Pre-use checks had been conducted and approved gloves were being worn. He was holding the hydraulic flange spreaders in the correct manner, by their handle. The flange spreaders were being pressurised by a colleague using a hand operated pump. Whilst doing so the hydraulic hose burst in the vicinity of the handle of the flange spreaders. The recoil resulted in the hose coming into contact with the technician’s hand/forearm area.

The technician was not sure if pressurised hydraulic fluid contacted his hand. If it had, he may have sustained an injection injury.

He was examined by the medic and no damage to his glove or hand was found. As an additional precaution he was also checked at hospital and no injury identified.

Good Practice Guidance

- Ensure protection of hydraulic hoses during storage and movement around the site, e.g. in a transport case

-Frequent checks and inspection of hoses during periods of heavy usage / movement

-Consider using fluid injection resistant gloves but always remember the PPE is the last line of defence

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