Stored pressure release – hydraulic oil
- Safety Flash
- Published on 20 March 2015
- Generated on 15 February 2026
- IMCA SF 04/15
- 2 minute read
A Member has reported an incident in which there was an unexpected high pressure oil discharge causing injury to someone’s left hand.
What happened?
The incident occurred during the reconfiguration of a trenching ROV. A crewman was disconnecting hydraulic pipe fittings to the chain tensioning cylinder on the mid digger section when there was a high pressure release of oil from a pipe fitting, which hit his left hand and sprayed on to his face causing a skin irritation.
The on-board medic assessed the injured person and raised concerns that chemical injection to the left hand was a possibility; the injured person was medevaced by helicopter to hospital for further assessment.
Actual glove worn by injured person
Position of fittings on hydraulic cylinder
Our member’s investigation noted the following:
- Hydraulic pressure was trapped in the annulus side of the digger chain tensioning cylinder and owing to the hydraulic circuit configuration it was not possible to relieve this pressure without opening a pipe fitting.
- The pressure gauge for the digger chain was piped to the full bore side of the cylinder to measure the pressure exerted on the digger chain; it was possible to have no pressure in the full bore side but pressure may still remain in the annulus side, creating a situation where the annulus side could be pressurised with no indication.
The following actions were taken:
- Installed adaptor plates and drain fittings to cylinder as a means to detect and relieve pressure.
- Revised Safe System of Work with detailed information for checking for and relieving stored pressure in circuit.
- Started review on all jet trenchers and WROV to rule out the possibility of a repeat incident on another vehicle.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 18/09
22 December 2009
-
IMCA SF 01/03
1 January 2003
-
IMCA SF 06/00
1 October 2000
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.