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- Safety Flash
- Published on 1 March 2004
- Generated on 23 July 2026
- IMCA SF 02/04
- 2 minute read
A mechanic had started a deck air compressor, when the sudden delivery of pressurised air through the delivery hose caused momentary snaking of the hose.
What happened?
The mechanic acted in a calm manner and switched off the compressor immediately. Fortunately no one was positioned close to the coiled hose, so nobody was injured. Nothing was damaged.
The snaking hose had the potential to cause injury to personnel on deck.
During investigation, it was also noticed that the isolation valve’s handle was missing.
Before starting the compressor, the mechanic had not checked the delivery valves to confirm that these were closed. The missing valve handle had not been reported.
The company involved has issued a safety reminder to its personnel as follows:
World-wide, many serious accidents occur due to snaking hoses. It is, therefore, necessary to follow some simple safety precautions efore and during use of any compressor:
- Before starting up a compressor, ensure that all air delivery valves are shut
- Check that all valve handles are secured in place
- Check condition of hose for any physical damage
- Check all hose line clamps for tightness, to ensure non inadvertent parting of hoses while in use
- Check all hose connections are secured with safety rope, to prevent a whiplash/snaking effect if parted
- Ensure insurance wire is fixed on all quick-release couplings to prevent inadvertent parting of couplings while in use
- Ensure all hose lines are anchored/secured with rope to fixed structures, to prevent a whiplash effect if parted
- Know where the compressor’s ’emergency stop’ button is situation and how to use it
- After use, ensure that air-delivery valves are closed and that the delivery hose is coiled and kept safely
- Report all unsafe acts and unsafe conditions.
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