I have limited experience with this method of isolating piping, but it is fairly often used to isolate large-diameter piping. OSHA’s investigation found that a drainpipe cleaning and maintenance company could have prevented an explosion at a Port Saint Lucie worksite in June 2024 that claimed a 24-year-old worker’s life by implementing proper safety measures to address the hazards of inflatable pipe plugs. The investigation revealed that on June 8, 2024, two contractor employees were cleaning a drainpipe at the intersection of Southwest Becker Road and Southwest Village Parkway. During the process, the pipe’s pressurized plug became over-inflated, causing an explosion so powerful that it ejected one worker 15 feet from the storm drain, resulting in fatal injuries.
OSHA cited the employer for a serious violation for failing to develop and implement procedures and train workers on how to install and remove pneumatic pipe plugs safely. This failure put workers at risk of being struck by dangerous equipment.
Citation 1 Item 1
Type of Violation: Serious; $16,131
Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm including injuries from struck-by hazards:
On or about July 8, 2024, near an open storm drain, employees performing storm drainpipe cleaning were exposed to the hazards associated with a pipe plug explosion.
Among others, one feasible and useful method to correct the hazard includes, but is not limited to:
- Before using pneumatic plugs, ensure employees review the pneumatic plug safety and instruction manual; and
- Provide employees with training in the recognition of the hazards associated with placing the plugs and working near them after they have been inflated; and
- Ensure the pressure gauge utilized to determine the required air pressure is calibrated prior to use; and
- Ensure the plug is properly placed in the storm drainpipe; and
- Utilize a properly designed blocking or bracing device to restrain any plug movement; and
- Ensure employees do not enter the danger zone in front of the storm drain opening while the plug is inflated.
Source: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/newsreleases/2025/OSHA20242619.pdf
