200878 Flash fire from flame heating

The second engineer and a fitter were having difficulty in removing a section of hydraulic oil line. As reported by the vessel, the pipe and system had been previously drained of the oil and the system had been well ventilated before the work began.

In order to free a seized coupling, they decided to heat it with an oxy-acetylene flame. The line suddenly ruptured and the escaping flammable vapour ignited. In the resulting fire, the fitter sustained first degree burn injury on the face and back of his hands.

Lessons learned
It is to be borne in mind that in spite of draining and ventilation, oil adhering to the internal surfaces within a hydraulic system or oil pipeline can produce flammable vapour which can be ignited if hot work is attempted.