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What happened?
Hot work was being carried out on the grating above an oil separation pit.
A protection layer between the pit and the grating had been in place since day 1.
On day 3, a worker was cutting a piece of metal with a disk.
A spark ignited the surface of the pit.
The fire extinguisher before the fire brigade arrived.
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Why did it happen?
Overnight, heavy rains completely cleaned the sewer system of the polypropylene unit in the pit, allowing hexane vapour to enter.
One spark was enough to ignite the surface of the pit.
Risk analysis was not performed with enough accuracy. The risk of flammable material (hydrocarbons) was considered, and the necessary measures were implemented. However, hexane was not specifically considered.
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What did they learn?
Detailed task analysis should be conducted for hot work on hydrocarbon sewer and pit systems.
Based on analysis results, review hot work permit procedure (if necessary).
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Ask yourself or your crew
How can something like this happen here?
What risks have we considered?
What risks have we not considered?
What is considered good practice when conducting hot work around oil pits?
What more can we do to prevent a similar incident?
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Published on 21/02/20
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Hot work was being carried out on the grating above an oil separation pit. Heavy rains completely cleaned the sewer system of the polypropylene unit in the pit, allowing hexane vapour to enter overnight. When contractor started work the following day, one spark was enough to ignite the surface of the pit.
