Pontoon compartment explosion on floating roof tanks
- Safety Flash
- Published on 16 April 2014
- Generated on 5 November 2025
- IMCA SF 06/14
- 1 minute read
The International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (OGP) published a safety alert regarding an incident in which an explosion occurred.
What happened?
Two workers were carrying out hot work on the top of the tank floating roof (cutting rim seal brackets in close proximity to the pontoon). One of the pontoon compartments exploded. Flammable residue was released onto the tank floor causing a small fire.
In this case, workers sustained moderate injuries. However similar accidents involving hot work on floating roofs after tank clean-up had taken place in the past and led to more severe injuries and fatalities.
Related safety flashes
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IMCA SF 08/13
21 May 2013
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IMCA SF 05/13
4 April 2013
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IMCA SF 07/01
1 July 2001
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