Flash Fire -- Men Burned

Effective Date: 1/14/1976

U.S. Department of the Interior
Minerals Management Service
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region

Notice No. 33

January 14, 1976

OCS Operations Safety Alert

Flash Fire -- Men Burned

A fire recently occurred on an offshore production platform when the exhaust gas from a gas-powered engine starter ignited.

Two men were starting a generator engine when the exhaust gas from the starter accumulated in the immediate vicinity and was apparently ignited by the generator. Both men received second degree burns.

The fire was extinguished immediately by closing the gas valve to the starter. There was no damage to the equipment.

To prevent a recurrence of this accident the operator is replacing this generator unit with one equipped with an electric starter.

[signed] D.W. Solanas

Oil and Gas Supervisor

Field Operations

Gulf of Mexico Area