Pressure Test

Leak Test Gone Bad

At 11:05 a.m. on August 5, 2022, an employee, 59, was pressure testing a pressure vessel for leaks with compressed air when the air pressure became too high within the vessel. The lid of the vessel flew open and struck the employee in the arm, abdomen, chest, and head. The employee was taken to the…...

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Pressure Test Gone Bad (Water line)

At 1:45 p.m. on June 2, 2020, Employee #1, 30, was working for a plumbing/HVAC contractor. This was a commercial construction site. Employee #1 was pressure testing a water line. Employee #1 was struck by a steel end cap from a pressurized 8-inch water line during a pre-use air pressure test. Employee #1 suffered an…...

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Pressure Testing Gone Bad (WLV pressure testing)

At 4:15 p.m. on June 30, 2024, Employee #1, a maintenance technician, 27, was assisting with WLV pressure testing when a rod was ejected from the WLV system. The rod struck Employee #1 in the head, causing a fatal injury. Emergency services were called, but the employee died from the injuries. Violations/Penalties Serious Willful Repeat…...

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We have options when we don’t want to Pressure/Leak test our piping (but you won’t like it)

With the owner’s approval, an alternative leak test is permitted when neither a hydrostatic nor a pneumatic leak test would be possible or safe. An alternative leak test contains the following required elements:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

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Vessel Pressure Testing Fatality (Hydrostatic and Pneumatic)

On March 4, 2005, Employee #1 (leadman) performed a hydrostatic pressure test on a large stainless steel pressure vessel at a plant manufacturing pressure vessels. The tank was cylindrical, about 14 in. diameter and 24 in. long. The tank was pressurized to 150 number for the test. Upon completing the test, he was draining the…...

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Power and Gas company pays $20M to settle failures it made related to gas piping specifications and failure to perform pressure testing

On December 24, 2008, natural gas leaking from a gas distribution pipeline resulted in an explosion and fire at 10708 Pauite Way, Rancho Cordova, California. One person died, and others were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) immediately began to investigate the accident. The NTSB concluded its investigation on May 18, 2010, with the…...

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The power and hazards of pneumatic pressure testing (PVC water pipe)

On May 3, 2006, Employee #1 was in a trench (approximately 37″ deep and 44 to 46″ wide), digging dirt from around a 10″ diameter PVC water pipeline to locate a water leak. The pipeline was pressurized to approximately 125-130 psi with compressed air…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View...

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Hazards of Pneumatic Pressure Testing Piping with Nitrogen

At 8:04 a.m. on May 11, 2023, an employee, 58, working for an oil and gas support services company was found dead. On 5/10/23, the night before, the employee had instructed his coworkers from other contractors to go home, and he would finish the job up. This was the last time anyone had spoken to…...

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Pressure Test gone BAD (Fire Hose #2)

Employee #1, a firefighter, was performing a pressurized hose test on a 4-inch fire hose. The employee was standing at the pump panel of the fire truck next to the discharge point where the hose was connected by a 2.5-inch double female adapter to the 3.5-inch fitting on the truck. The hose was being brought…...

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Pressure Test gone BAD (Fire Hose)

On November 3, 2006, Employee #1, a firefighter/paramedic, was the designated pump operator during the performance of an annual hose test. The pump on the fire department apparatus was utilized to perform the test. Near the conclusion of the 5-minute 400 psi test, while Employee #1 was reducing the pressure in a hose being tested,…...

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Flammable Liquids and Piping Design (IFC 2018)

The 2018 IFC has some great design requirements for flammable liquids (as does NFPA 30).  Abiding by this 2018 IFC, Chapter 57 would provide a much higher degree of safety as compared to meeting OSHA’s 1910.106.  So I have broken down and discussed these IFC requirements for those looking to improve their flammable liquid piping…...

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