A welder died when struck by a piece of a hydraulic tank that came apart after being pressurized with air and water to check for leaks. The welder had removed the tank the previous day to repair a leak. On the day of the incident, the victim filled the tank with water and used an air compressor to fill the tank to check for leaks. The tank exploded under the pressure and struck the victim in the head. There was no air regulator or gauge on the line used to monitor the air pressure in the tank. The CA/FACE investigator determined that, in order to prevent future incidents, welding companies should ensure that:
- Hydraulic tanks are not internally pressurized to check for leaks.
- Welders receive training on approved procedures for repair of hydraulic tanks.