SAFETY FLASH

ESNAAD MARINE OPERATIONS DIVISION

No. SF/01/05 Date: 28 April 2005

SUBJECT: SEVERE INJURY - CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER’S HOSE

On 16th April 2005 while a 2nd Officer was carrying-out a routine test of a CO2
fire extinguisher onboard an Offshore Support Vessel, the extinguisher hose
dislodged and hit him across the face.

The officer accidentally triggered the pressurized extinguisher and due to the
absence of a proper triggering-safety mechanism in addition to a loose hose/
cylinder connection, the hose whipped back causing severe face and cheek
injuries.

The suffered injuries although considered severe, yet the strength of the
pressurized whipping hose could have caused more serious incapacitation
including total blindness.

LESSON LEARNT:
1- Shipboard routine fire extinguishers inspection to commence with
checking of the proper placement of the triggering-safety pin and hose firm
assembly,
2- Scheduled shore services of fire extinguishers to include proper inspection
of hose thread and fitting and proper placement of the triggering safety pin,

(See attached photos of a typical CO2 portable Fire Extinguisher Triggering-Safety Pin location)

For Further Information Contact:

Captain Fathi E. Suleiman,
ESNAAD Marine Operations Division Manager,
Tel. # 02–602 94 70, FAX # 02– 602 90 10
Ref. SF-01-05/Memo Esnaad/ MOSB/098-05/MMO
ESNAAD
Marine Operations Division
Safety Flash No. 01/05
Sever Injury-CO2 Fire Extinguisher Hose
Attachment No. 1

ESNAAD-MOD SF-01-05/Memo Esnaad/ MOSB/098-05/MMO-Attach-1 Page 2 of 3

ESNAAD
Marine Operations Division
Safety Flash No. 01/05
Sever Injury-CO2 Fire Extinguisher Hose
Attachment No. 2

Activation Safety Pin

ESNAAD-MOD SF-01-05/Memo Esnaad/ MOSB/098-05/MMO-Attach-2 Page 3 of 3