Electrical shock – Failure of isolations and barriers
- Safety Flash
- Published on 2 October 2015
- Generated on 25 December 2025
- IMCA SF 14/15
- 1 minute read
A crew member was testing 240V cables as part of re-terminating a replacement motor.
What happened?
There was some isolation in place, with equipment partly out of the racks for testing by a separate crew. However, the electrical supply for a space heater was unknowingly not covered by the existing isolation in the test position. Crew member received an electrical shock whilst removing insulation from a still active 240V conductor.
What went wrong?
- Specific equipment drawing was not utilised for isolation – a generic motor drawing was used instead. Isolation integrity had not been individually assessed for different activities.
Lessons learnt:
It is important to ensure that Permit to Work (PTW) and lock out/tag out procedures specify the requirement to reference equipment-specific rather than generic drawings, prior to determining the appropriate isolation.
-
IMCA SF 02/10
8 April 2010
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.