Background

An oil and gas midstream company subcontracted plant modifications to accept a new crude oil product. The modifications included making tie-ins to existing piping for the installation of tee fittings to direct the crude oil to its associated storage tank. A cold machine cut was made to minimize the risk of fire at the tie-ins, followed by the welding of new flange fittings to accept the new tee fitting. A commercial grade plug was installed to limit vapors to the hot work area. During the welding of the flange fitting, a fire erupted that injured several workers as they jumped off their scaffolding to avoid the fire.

Services Provided

Rimkus was retained to determine the root cause of the fire and review the safe work practices of all parties, including hot work, line break, platform emergency escape route planning, job safety analysis, safety training records, tools and isolation equipment used, and flammable gas detection method and readings.