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Safety alert
Petroleum and Gas Inspectorate
A series of purges of the gas pipes had been undertaken a week earlier without incident. A week later, another
series of gas purges were conducted and on the final gas purge, an explosion occurred with tragic results.
The US Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board have approved 18 urgent recommendations
http://www.csb.gov/newsroom/detail.aspx?nid=330 While the legislative framework and practice in US is
significantly different to Queensland, these incidents and this safety alert are a reminder to all operators, staff,
their employees and contractors to take particular care when purging systems with gas.
Recommendations
1. Compliance/regulatory issues
Identify the regulatory framework
Identify related Australian Standards or industry codes of practice for purging requirements for pipe
installation appliance e.g. AS2885, AS5601, AS NZS 4645, AS NZS 1596 etc (See Table 1 this list is not
exhaustive).
Ensure local authorities e.g. EPA / Councils are consulted or and approvals sought where applicable.
2. Understand the Risks
Conduct a risk assessment to identify all the hazards especially potential ignition sources and develop
adequate control and or mitigation measures.
Ensure gas type/properties identified, e.g. density, static electricity issues.
Consider if non-flammable/inert gases can/should be used in the purge process.
3. Implementation issues
Ensure purge gas is directed away in such a manner that it can be adequately ventilated e.g. vent pipes are
used, with minimum pre determined exclusion zones from the outlet (based on risk and hazard
assessments).
Ensure gas release area is clear with adequate ventilation, wind direction identified, and ignition free
exclusion zone established with appropriate signage.
Ensure burning/ flare stacks are approved equipment for the specific tasks
Ensure a system/s of work is employed e.g. Work Permitting etc
Ensure adequate resources (personnel & equipment) are in place for tasks
Ensure competently trained staff for continuous gas monitoring are in place
Ensure emergency plans are developed, in place and communicated
Ensure communication plan is in place.
For detailed information or relevant standards and guidelines relating to the purging of flammable gas,
go to the Petroleum and Gas safety pages on www.deedi.qld.gov.au