• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Greenland
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.691.4481; http://www.iaquk.org.uk/ESW/Files/Riggs_BOHS_April_14.pdf

atmosphere was monitored using a gas detector until a zero gas reading was given. Despite his concerns, the worker used a disc cutter, brought by Mr Greenland for this specific task, to cut the tank into sections so it could be removed more easily from the site. However, shortly after he started to cut the petrol end of the tank, an explosion occurred. As well as injuring the worker, a number of nearby properties and vehicles were damaged by flying debris. HSE discovered a number of safety failings: The safety assessment carried out before the work started was inadequate and there was no safe system of work in place; The gas detector used to monitor the atmosphere had not been suitably calibrated and may have given false readings; The tank had not been properly cleaned and flammable residues remained; Although it would not have completely eliminated the risk of explosion, cold cutting techniques should have been used rather than a disc cutter, which generated heat and sparks, thus igniting the vapour when the tank was pieced.