Safety alert — pipe assembly failed pressure test

A safety alert has been issued by NSW Mine Safety after a worker was seriously injured when a pipe assembly failed while performing a pressure test on a length of plastic pipe.

The incident, which occurred on 26 November, happened while the worker tested the integrity of nitrogen delivery pipes after a load haul dump vehicle dragged them from underground to the surface of the mine.

Reportedly, a pipe blanking cap struck the worker after the crimped connection between the ferrule and pipe failed. The injured worker suffered serious leg and hand injuries and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

The test procedure was to cap both ends of the pipe assembly and pressurise the assembly with compressed air to approximately 800 kPa.

Ball valves were used to prevent the air from escaping while a pressure gauge was fitted to the other end. Leaks were detected by a pressure loss over a 15-minute period.

Mine Safety said that another incident involving a failed pipe joiner and a different plastic pipe has been reported by another mine since this incident.

Click here to view the full safety alert and the list of recommendations.