Alert
  • Published: 24 Jan 2012
  • Incident ID: 3410

Malfunctioning Pump Results in 3rd Degree Burn Injury

Cause & Consequence

  • Release of a harmful substance
Incident Consequence
Injury

Incident Location

Drilling unit

Incident Activity

Drilling, workover

Lessons Identified

WHAT CAUSED IT:

 Once the suction line became clogged, the pump continued to run causing the system to operate at an unsafe temperature, building pressure between the end of the suction line and the pump.

 The crew had experienced problem with the system from the time it was delivered on location and was not able to keep the suction line from clogging up. The pump was not operating at its expected potential.

 The injured employee did not release the pressure utilizing the pressure bleed-off valve prior to disconnecting the suction from the pump.

Incident Recommendations

CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: To address this incident, this company did the following:

 Instructed rig personnel to immediately report all malfunctioning third party equipment to the appropriate personnel so proper maintenance can be performed.

 Instructed rig personnel to utilize the bleed-off valve to release potential stored pressure prior to disconnecting all hose lines.

 Instructed rig personnel that a pressure gauge should be installed on the pump to indicate when the system is under pressure.

 Informed rig personnel that they should ask for instructions on the safe operating procedure of any company owned or 3rd party equipment.

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