Gas Starter Fire -- Man Burned
Effective Date: 3/21/1977
 | Minerals Management Service Gulf of Mexico OCS Region |
Notice No. 060
March 21, 1977
OCS Operations Safety Alert
Gas Starter Fire -- Man Burned
A flash fire recently occurred on an offshore production platform resulting in burns to a mechanic.
The mechanic was utilizing a gas operated starter to start a compressor unit. The screws holding the manufacturer's name plate on the starter case worked loose and blew out leaving four holes through the body of the starter. Gas leaking through these holes accumulated in the immediate vicinity and was ignited by a spark from the starter bendix contacting the ring gear on the flywheel. The fire inflicted second-degree burns to the face, arms, and hands of the mechanic. The fire was quickly extinguished.
To prevent a recurrence of this accident the operator is taking the following action:
1. All starters of this type will have the existing four name tag screws removed and new screws will be installed.
2. All of these screws will be installed with a locking and sealing compound applied to the threads.
[signed] D.J. Bourgeois
for D.W. Solanas
Oil and Gas Supervisor
Field Operations
Gulf of Mexico Area