Welding Accident
Effective Date: 7/28/1981
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 105
July 28, 1981
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Welding Accident
Hot slag from a welder's torch on an upper deck was blown by the wind into a2-inch opening in the top of a 500 bbl. capacity stock tank resulting in anexplosion and a small fire.
As part of a platform modification process, the 2-inch sump pump dischargeline on top of the tank had been disconnected and left open to the atmosphere.When the explosion occurred, the tank's top section exploded, peeling back morethan half of the section. There was damage to the electrical cables and supporttray above the tank. There was no injury to personnel. The fire was confined tothe tank drip pan and was immediately extinguished.
To prevent a recurrence of this type of accident, the operator will emphasizethe following to its personnel:
1. The importance of communication, work planning, and supervisory controlwhen more than one job is in progress.
2. The importance and sole duty of a fire watch.
[signed] D.W. Solanas
Deputy Conservation Manager
Offshore Operations Support
Gulf of Mexico OCS Region