202137 Fingers burned - no LOTO

Two engine room crew were attending to the main engine fuel backwash filter alarm. They suspected the problem was a clogged pipe or air trapped in the line to the differential pressure cell. As one crew slackened the copper pipe ferule connection to purge the line, the pipe came free, releasing hot fuel on his hands. The victim was wearing cotton gloves, which became soaked with hot oil. It was later observed that the skin on his thumb was peeling off and blisters had developed. First aid was administered and he was sent to a shore facility at the next port for followup medical care.

The company investigation found, among things, that the system being worked on had not been isolated and vented to release the
pressure.

Lessons learned

• Proper isolation and lockout (‘lockout/tagout’, LOTO) must be completed before carrying out maintenance on any equipment. Ask yourself ‘Is there any potential energy in this system?’
• Work permits, properly completed before the task begins, are the basis for safe and successful outcomes.
• Cotton gloves are not the best protection against work injuries.