In many Line & Equipment Opening (LEO) safe work practices, some leeway will be granted to the workers AFTER the INITIAL “break” based on the level of ISOLATION they have protecting them. For example: A LEO has a double block and bleed arrangement on BOTH sides of the opening. During the initial “break,” the worker(s) will wear ALL PPE, at a level that assumes the line/equipment is FULL and UNDER PRESSURE. After a successful opening, and given that the workers are protected by the DB&B isolation, they may remove some PPE. However, as in the case discussed below, when the isolation is a single valve on either side (or both), then this level of isolation does NOT afford a level of protection such that the PPE can be lessened after the first break, REGARDLESS if that initial break is successful (e.g., no leak by).
A global chemicals company has been fined £400,000 after a worker narrowly escaped serious injury in a high-pressure steam release incident. The company was fined after the 59-year-old contractor, working under its control and direction, carried out unsafe maintenance work. The man was working as a mechanical fitter on November 6, 2023, when the incident occurred, prompting the company to report it to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as a dangerous occurrence. The incident involved a release of high-pressure steam while he was performing his job.
The company operates a large agrichemicals production site, with some production plants relying on high-pressure steam to manufacture products. The HSE investigation found that the incident occurred during the planned replacement of a faulty steam trap on small-bore pipework.