Near-miss: Hot work in no-weld zone

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 2 June 2015
  • Generated on 2 December 2024
  • IMCA SF 08/15
  • 2 minute read

A member has reported an incident in which crew were found conducting welding operations in an area of a vessel where hot work was forbidden. 

What happened?

The incident occurred when arrangements were being made for the installation of steel shelves in a storage cage on the upper tween deck. This area ‘upper tween deck’ is below the main deck, amidships.

A permit to work was raised for this operation and was signed by the rigging supervisor as Area Authority. The welder set up the required equipment at the worksite and was in the initial stages of the task when the Chief Engineer walked by on a ‘routine’ inspection and stopped the job. The Chief Engineer explained to the welder that he was about to weld onto a fuel tank which is located on the other side of the deck, and called an all stop.

Work site

Work site (No Weld area highlighted)

No welding marking

No welding’ marking which was covered over

Our member summarises a series of failures which brought about this event:

  • Inadequate task plan
  • Inadequate communication of task plan
  • Lack of awareness/perception of risk
  • Inadequate attention to detail
  • Unclear/conflicting lines of responsibility
  • Insufficient warning signage
  • Following usual task
  • Poor housekeeping

The following actions were taken:

  • Reviewed this incident and communicated it to all appropriate personnel.
  • Identified all no weld areas on vessels and ensured they were suitably marked/highlighted and ‘No Welding’ signage was clear from all directions.
  • Ensured that vessel GA (General Arrangement drawings) were used to show location of open permits and to assist in de-conflicting permits and hot work, had all the no weld zones/areas clearly marked to assist in the approval of Hot Work permits and to prevent approval being given for hot work on ‘no weld areas’.
  • Ensure that persons responsible for issuing Permits to Work were suitably trained and fully understand their roles and responsibilities.
  • Ensure that those who were ‘Area Authorities’ fully understand the hazards and restrictions associated with those areas.

Latest Safety Flashes:

LTI: Finger injury during emergency recovery of ROV

A worker suffered a serious finger injury when their finger was caught between a crane wire and the recovery hook on an ROV.

Read more
BSEE: recurring hand injuries from alternative cutting devices

The United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has published Safety Alert 487.

Read more
NTSB: Crane wire failure

The National Transportation Safety Board of the United States (NTSB) published "Safer Seas Digest 2023".

Read more
Hot work performed outside of Permit to Work (PTW) boundary limit

A near miss occurred when a third-party contractor working removed a trip hazard from the vessel main deck, using a cutting torch and grinding disc.

Read more
Vital safety information (height of vehicle) found incorrect

“Height of vehicle” information displayed on a truck, was found to be incorrect.

Read more

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.