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HEALTH AND SAFETY ALERT N°30 FLASHBACK FIRE ON BURNING EQUIPMENT For more info, please contact the H&S Team or call 0203.463.1800 December 2012 The Incident On the 26 th of September, a flash back fire on the Acetylene hose occurred when a fitter had just started work on the pit bottom crossing making modifications to the rail track connection. The flash back caused a fire on the Acetylene hose where the hose burst in front of the flashback arrestor due to the pressure of the ignition of the gases, The pit bottom slinger signaller working in the vicinity acted swiftly and extinguished the fire using locally positioned fire extinguishers (SS recommended for this month safety award). Immediate action The effectiveness of the tunnel operatives to think and act swiftly has to be highly commended. The flashback was not predicted as there were safety devices in place (flashback arrestors fitted to the bottle regulator). Possible, incorrect ignition procedure / Incorrect acetylene pressure / Hoses not correctly purged All burning operations ceased until a full review of burning equipment procedure is undertaken A review of the current burning safety procedures to be carried out. Learning Points 1. After reviewing burning procedures all MVB Burning equipment is to be inspected by a competent person to ensure that all new recommendations of the burning review have been adhered to. 2. Burning equipment to be risk assessed prior to use, this will include burning equipment can only be used as a last resort where there is no other way of completing the task . The removal of the task from the confined space to an area with less residual risk. Using alternative methods of cutting, grinding/disc cutting, air arcing, plasma cutting, shearing only once all, so far as reasonably practicable methods have been sourced then may burning equipment be used. 3. New hoses to be fitted to all Oxygen / Acetylene burning equipment and the hoses to be from one nominated manufacturer ( Murex ) 4. Flashback arrestors to be fitted to the gun end of the new hoses as well as the bottle regulator. 5. Oxygen and Acetylene Bootle regulators to have visible gauges so that the correct pressure setting can be set in accordance with BOC recommendations for safe use of burning equipment can be adhered to. 6. Prestart checks to include the purging of the Oxygen and Acetylene hose’s prior igniting the torch/burning gun (a potential primary cause of the incident).
