Air Bottle Maintenance Inspection

Pressurized Air Bottles Inspection and Maintenance

• Restricted access to air bottles hampers proper inspection during maintenance.
• Only the valve end of the bottles is visible via small access ports.
• Saddles conceal internal parts of the bottles, complicating assessments.
• Direct contact between bottle and bracket made from dissimilar materials risks galvanic corrosion.
• Bleed down pressurized systems when not needed.
• Ensure thorough inspections of pressurized air bottles during routine services.
• Store bottles elevated above deck for better ventilation and to avoid moisture traps.
• Use materials with similar properties or insulate dissimilar materials to prevent corrosion.

Dropped Object Incident During Cable Trans-spooling

• A 5.7g roller fell 8m, injuring a worker during electrical cable handling.
• Failed connection bolt allowed the roller to drop from the Bow Cable Engine (BCE).
• Work stopped; the injured person was assessed but fortunately had no breaks.
• Worker was positioned under a suspended load, leading to the incident.
• Inadequate risk assessments and Safe Use of Work Equipment processes were noted.
• There was a failure to implement secondary retention measures to prevent dropped objects.
• Melting wax on the cable compromised safety procedures; effective communication about its presence was lacking.
• Opportunities to raise "Management of Change" assessments to enhance safety were missed.

Lifting Operations Incident with Parted Tag Line

• A LiDAR buoy weighing 2.4 tonnes moved unexpectedly when a tagline parted.
• The incident occurred during a deck recovery operation involving a vessel crane.
• The worker was in an unsafe position and was struck by the buoy, but was unharmed.
• No documented procedure existed for retrieving buoys; compliance with lift plans was inadequate.
• Generic Tool Box Talks failed to address specific hazards; insufficient training and supervision also contributed.
• Effective planning and approval processes for lift activities are essential to ensure safety.
• Lift supervisors must maintain oversight and not engage directly in lift operations.

Step Ladder Incident Leading to Fall

• A worker failed to secure a two-step ladder used during operations, violating safety procedures.
• Although the risk was recognized, proposed mitigations were ineffective, leading to the incident.
• Falls from low heights can still cause serious injuries; safety measures must be strictly enforced.
• Consideration should be given to weather conditions affecting safety equipment.
• An engineered solution for safe access should replace temporary ladders.

Non-fatal Man Overboard Incident

• A worker fell from a height of 3m from a new jacket into the sea but was unharmed.
• The incident occurred during jacket installation, where proper safety measures were lacking.
• Access to unsecured areas without grating or scaffolding created fall hazards.
• Workers must secure themselves properly when exposed to height risks to prevent falls.

This quiz focuses on the challenges associated with inspecting air bottles due to restricted access. It highlights the implications of limited view on safety and regular maintenance practices. Test your knowledge on air bottle inspection procedures and standards.