Stored pressure near-miss: Buckle detector expelled from pipe during recovery
- Safety Flash
- Published on 4 July 2016
- Generated on 18 September 2025
- IMCA SF 18/16
- 2 minute read
A member has reported a near miss incident in which a buckle detector tool was expelled from a pipeline under pressure and landed approximately 2m away.
What happened?
The incident occurred during retrieval of the buckle detector (BD), which weighed approximately 25 kg. The buckle detector came close to two crew members. Had either of them been struck by the tool as it ejected, it could have caused significant injuries.
Our member’s investigation revealed the following:
- Back pressure on the buckle detector had not been identified as a risk during the job risk assessment (JRA).
- The task plan did not identify appropriate barriers required for the job.
- The procedure for use of the buckle detector was not risk assessed at the hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) stage of the project.
Our member took the following actions:
- An ‘all stop’ on buckle detector launch and recovery activities followed by time out for safety with all personnel.
- An updated task plan to:
- ensure ‘no go’ areas are fully documented
- show means of preventing future recurrence by using a double wrapped sling on the pipe attached to a shackle on the buckle detector cable
- Ensure plans available of where barriers should be installed to keep people out of the ‘line of fire’ when conducting launch and recovery of buckle detector.
- Consider revision of hazard identification and risk assessment (HIRA) and job risk analysis (JRA) for pipe buckle detection work.
- Consider pipe back pressure as a risk.
- Ensure future buckle detection task plans include clear instructions on where to install barriers.
- Identify other means of launching buckle detector, such as crawler systems which do not require pressurised air.
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.