[Hallb-engineering] Fwd: Lesson Learned "Fire Watch Saves the Day - Fluor-B&W Portsmouth"

[Douglas Tilles]

Good reason for housekeeping!!

Doug

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: mbailey at jlab.org
To: mbailey at jlab.org
Cc: robertl at jlab.org
Sent: Monday, April 7, 2014 10:00:42 AM
Subject: Lesson Learned "Fire Watch Saves the Day - Fluor-B&W Portsmouth"






        Fire Watch Saves the Day - Fluor-B&W Portsmouth         
Statement of Lessons Learned 
For a copy of the original report, see Attachments on Lessons Learned page. 

Thoroughly inspect work areas for combustible materials prior to starting hot work to prevent small fires.  Look around and under equipment for potential combustibles. Discussion of Activities 
During the removal of a converter from inside a cell housing, some towels were ignited when hot slag came in contact with them.  The fire was extinguished by the Fire Watch stationed in the area.  The towels themselves were only partially burned.  It could not be determined when the towels were placed in this area, however due to their condition it was concluded that they had been there for some period of time. The level of illumination and the location made it difficult to see them during the pre-work walk down of the area that was performed in support of the work.  No damage to any other material or equipment occurred. 

It should be noted that due to workers in the area being alert, the fire was identified and extinguished very quickly.  The Fire Watch remained at the work site until the area had been inspected by the onsite Fire Protection personnel. Analysis 
A pre-work walk down was performed, as required by the Hot Work Permit, to ensure that combustible materials were removed from the area.  While the location of the material (up under and next to a converter base) and the lighting  contributed to the towels going unnoticed, the incident points out the importance of attention to detail when performing such walk downs. Recommended Actions 
Below are the consequences of the above event.  They are provided for information and discussion purposes only. 

The Hot Work Permit was pulled, a fact finding was performed, and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) was consulted concerning the planned corrective actions for re-instituting the Hot Work Permit.

A briefing provided by the Cut & Cap Project Manager; it addressed the need for vigilance and attention to detail during work area walk downs.  While the Fire Watch process was effective in limiting injury and damage, avoidance, through more thorough inspections, is a more positive control. 
Comments 
4/7/2014 9:26:34 AM by Bailey, Mary Jo 
Submitted to those having the following current training:

�SAF108: FIRE SAFETY
�SAF150: WELDING SAFETY         
Summary         Lesson ID:         807 
        Status:         OK 
        Doc ID:         2014-JLAB-807 
        Priority:         Best Practice 
        Safety Related:         YES 
        Originator:         Bailey, Mary Jo 
        Issued:         4/7/2014 9:18:38 AM 
        Approved By:         Bailey, Mary Jo 
        Approved On:         4/7/2014 9:26:34 AM 
        Source:         DOECRD 
        Location:         OTHER 
        Cost Savings:         
        Contact:         Chuck De Long, Project Integration Manager, 740/897-2493 
        Queued Emails:         0 
        Sent Emails:         0 
        Viewings:         2 times Attachments 

Hazard Issues 

    * Welding, Cutting, Brazing, and Grinding (i.e. Hot Work) 
Skills 

    * SAF108: FIRE SAFETY 
    * SAF150: WELDING SAFETY 
Distribution/Notification 

    * *Division Safety Officers (DSOs) 
    * *Safety Wardens 
    * *DOE Notification 
    * *ESH&Q Liaisons