Hydraulic company sentenced after employee loses sight in one eye
- Safety Flash
- Published on 15 December 2015
- Generated on 21 March 2026
- IMCA SF 22/15
- 1 minute read
The UK HSE has published the following incident in which an employee was badly injured when he was struck in the face during a test procedure.
What happened?
The employee suffered a broken jaw multiple facial lacerations and total blindness in the right eye as a result of being struck in the face by a pressurised hose during a test when a connector catastrophically failed. His employer was prosecuted under Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined.
Investigation found that the test zone was not segregated or safeguarded and that the test equipment was not maintained and suitable for the task. The company failed to assess the risks or provide a safe system of work for pressure testing hydraulic cylinders.
This may be of interest to members, as all members use hydraulic equipment and equipment under pressure.
There have been at least 15 IMCA Safety Flash incidents published that involve failure of hydraulic hoses or other hydraulic equipment. Members may wish to review the following Related Safety Flashes which relate particularly to stored energy release:
Safety Flash
-
IMCA SF 03/11
1 April 2011
-
IMCA SF 18/09
22 December 2009
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.