Welding Fire
Effective Date: 1/13/1977
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 054
January 13, 1977
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Welding Fire
A fire occurred recently on an offshore production facilities platform resulting in burns to a welder.
Modifications were underway to a liquid dump line which had been disconnected from an LTX unit and a high-pressure separator. The welder cut into a low portion of the line where condensate fluids had collected. The cutting torch ignited the condensate and the burning fluid fell on the welder's shirt. The fire was extinguished immediately and the welder received only superficial burns on his chest and stomach.
To prevent a recurrence of this type of accident the operator has taken the following action:
All field personnel have been instructed to flush thoroughly with water all lines to be cut regardless of whether the cutting is done with pipe cutters, hack saw or welding torches.
[signed] D.J. Bourgeois
for D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area