US Coast Guard: Addressing hazardous area electrical issues
- Safety Flash
- Published on 28 September 2020
- Generated on 13 May 2026
- IMCA SF 28/20
- 3 minute read
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has published Safety Alert 05/20 entitled Electrical Issues Spark Major Concern – Addressing Hazardous Area Electrical Installations Knowledge Gaps
The Safety Alert emphasises the importance of properly installed and maintained listed or certified safe electrical equipment in hazardous areas in order to reduce the risk of fire or explosion onboard vessels.
The USCG has seen a number of instances where there was a lack of knowledge in the marine industry with regard to the installation, training, maintenance and inspection of these certified systems.
- Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) have found certified safe equipment improperly installed or identified missing components, which compromises the certification of the system and nullifies this critical protection in a flammable environment.
- In other cases, PSCOs found degraded components and evidence of equipment not being maintained or inspected.
- Additionally, USCG personnel have discovered instances where individuals responsible for the installation, maintenance, and oversight of this equipment onboard foreign and domestic vessels were unfamiliar with the appropriate standards to follow.
- The USCG notes that “the attribution of fires caused by electrical faults cannot be overstated”, and the safety alert goes on to say that “Fire and explosion protection standards for electrical equipment in the oil and gas industry worldwide is a substantial part of the industry’s safety barrier.”
Actions taken and lessons learned
In the alert, the US Coast Guard strongly recommends that owners, operators, shipboard personnel and service providers:
- Familiarise themselves with the appropriate International Electrotechnical Commission [IEC ] standards as related to the proper training, inspection, maintenance, and documentation of electrical equipment installed in hazardous areas, to ensure that no potential ignition source is present in hazardous areas aboard tank vessels, gas carriers and vessels using gases or other low flashpoint fuels.
- Ensure proper training for operators and persons with executive functions conducted to a standard not inferior to the IEC at all appropriate levels.
- Implement an appropriate periodic inspection and maintenance program by competent personnel.
- Ensure that any repairs are made by a competent technician or repair facility. When in doubt, a representative of the equipment manufacturer should be consulted. Any modifications to existing systems must be discussed with and approved by the appropriate regulatory authority.
- Whilst this safety alert was developed for USCG by the Liquefied Gas Carrier National Center of Expertise in Port Arthur, TX, the underlying principles are applicable to IMCA members’ operations.
Related Safety Flashes
-
IMCA SF 03/20
30 January 2020
-
IMCA SF 01/02
1 January 2002
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.