poly pipe incident

1. Poly Pipe
Safety Alert –
Applying air pressure to pipe
Wyoming State Mine Inspector’s Office

2. Recent Incident
 A severe injury was caused by the application
of air pressure to clear a frozen chunk from a
6” poly pipe approximately 400 feet long.

3. Poly Pipe Incident – cont.
 The employee had been working in sub-zero
temperatures to clear frozen pipe. The pipe
was located on a ramp.

4. Poly Pipe Incident – cont.
 The employee had fabricated a fitting for the
bottom end of the pipe so he could connect a
portable air compressor.
 He then applied approximately 150 psi to the
pipe to help clear the ice.
 While applying the pressure, he used a small
sledge hammer to beat on the sides of the pipe
and applied heat with a propane torch to help
free the ice.

5. Poly pipe, fitting and hose

6. Poly Pipe Incident – cont.
 The employee stated that he “heard” the ice starting
to break loose.
 He then stated that he noticed the pipe start to move
and he tried to run away from it.
 The ice “exploded” from the uphill side of the pipe
and the pipe whipped from side to side ending up
lying across the haul road.

7. Some of the ice chunks from pipe

8. Final resting place of poly pipe

9. Poly Pipe Incident – cont.
 The employee was struck by either the pipe
and/or the ice chunks.
 Large amounts of coal and ice were later
cleaned from the wound on his leg.
 Damage to his leg was so severe that the leg
was amputated below the knee.

10. Causes
 It was determined that applying air pressure to
clear ice from poly pipe was not the normal
and safe way to clear ice.
 This action violates WR77.412(c)
Compressed air systems:
At no time shall compressed air be directed
toward a person. When compressed air is
used, all necessary precautions shall be taken
to protect persons from injury.

11. Cause – cont.
 Employee did not secure the 6” poly pipe from
movement when he applied air into the pipe to help
move the ice plug. Because of this failure, when the
ice plug was blown from the pipe by the air pressure,
the pipe whipped violently back and forth and ice
chunks where shot out of the end of the pipe. This
movement and his attempt to escape the movement,
caused the employee to be severely injured.
 This site no longer uses air to clear ice from poly
pipe.

12. Conclusion
 Use SLAM!

13. SLAM Risks!
 Stop Think through the task
 Look Identify the hazards for each job step
 Analyze Determine if you have the proper
knowledge, training, and tools
 Manage Remove or control hazards and use
proper equipment