ArticlesBSEE Releases Panel Investigation Report into Fire and Explosion on Gulf of Mexico Platform (FATAL HOTWORK ACCIDENT)
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has released the panel investigation report into the November 16, 2012 HOTWORK explosion and fire that occurred on an offshore platform. The explosion and fire resulted in the tragic deaths of three (3) workers, serious injuries to others, and the discharge of pollutants into the Gulf of Mexico. The investigation panel found these deaths were caused by a number of decisions, actions, and failures by the operator of the platform and contractors retained by the operator while conducting construction operations. The investigation found that the explosion and fire occurred when hydrocarbon vapors ignited while a contractor was welding on the incoming pipe segment to the wet oil tank. The ignition started a chain reaction that caused the wet oil tank and two connected dry oil tanks to explode. These explosions caused the three (3) tanks to separate at their bases, launching the wet oil tank and the first dry oil tank into the Gulf of Mexico and blowing the second dry oil tank into the air. The second dry oil tank then struck the platform crane and landed back on the WD 32 E platform. The hydrocarbons in all three of the tanks were released onto the platform and into the Gulf of Mexico. The hydrocarbons on the platform subsequently ignited, starting a fire on the platform. The report concludes that BSEE safety regulations were not followed, and accordingly BSEE will proceed with appropriate enforcement actions. And there's more... |
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