Many thanks to my friend in safety down under, Mr. Peter Hunt, Director and Principal Consultant, Whamcorp Pty Ltd
On 25 March 1991, a contractor died after an ammonia tank he was upgrading exploded at the ICI plant.
BACKGROUND
- Contractors oxy-cutting nozzles on aqueous ammonia tanks
- Tanks were not washed out and cleared and ready for contractors
- The ammonia/air mixture in the top of the tank was in the critical 16-25 % range of flammability
- The tank became over-pressured, and the top blew off, fatally injuring the contractor
UNDERLYING CAUSES
- Inadequate preparation for hot work due to lack of appreciation of properties of ammonia/air mixtures
- Lack of understanding of the Company’s safety standards
- Lack of appreciation of the 11one-off 11 nature of the planned work
- Lack of appreciation of the extent of noncompliance with company standards when New Zealand operation acquired