imemacorematnan | Bett Cyaan
Saudi Electricity Projects Development Co.
Projects Business Unit
EHV Projects Department-COA
Tel. # 011 807 8130, Fax # 011 807 8026
18-Safety-27/12021001
‘March 18, 2018 G
Attention: All EHVPD-COA Project Engineers/ Consultants Staff
Subject : Battery Explosion Accident
Greetings!
With reference to the above mentioned subject, we would like to inform everyone that one of
the recent accident occurred this year comes from battery explosion in the battery room during
charging process. It is clearly emphasizing, that the threat of the battery room is real hazard,
particularly for those who do not assess the ventilation of the room. The aftermath of that
explosion was truly a devastated that resulted major injuries for employees and major damaged
to property. In this regards, we advise concern partis to initiate proactive approech in dealing
with batteries and take serious consideration of the recommendation attached herewith as the
result of the investigation, and eliminateiprevent the risks of accident to occur.
‘This is for your information and necessary action.
Best regards,
Tigh AWA. APRakban o>
Manager, F
[Extra High Voltaue Projects Department-COA
Auachment + weident Recall Report
ce Group Leader
Fe: 683.2THIS DOCUMENT IS FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
Safety Alert- Incident Recall
EHVPD-COA
18 March 2018
Battery Explosion Accident
Introduction
The threat of a battery room explosion is a real hazards. The aftermath of such explosion can
be devastating. The same case what happen in one of the substation sewage treatment plant
project in Wadi Arana that resulted major injuries to one of the technician from Al Fanar and
damaged expensive equipment (see attached photos). During charging phase of battery
operation, the hydrogen gas evolved, that require enormous ventilation to lay-low the
concentration of the gas when mix with air. If this not met, it poses significant risk of fire and
explosion.
Recommendation
Highlighting the important issues concerning explosion risks in battery room that require
extensive consideration during construction phase, testing, commissioning, energization stage
of the project, including when the substation is operational. Below are the recommendation
that prevent or eliminate the re-occurrence of this accident in our business line unit (CHVPD-C)
that had been conducted and concluded after the investigation:
¥ Ensure ventilation efficiency during battery charging,
¥ Issuing a work permit for such hazardous work.
¥ The importance of the supervision of a qualified person from the manufacturer to follow
up the batteries charging process during the testing period.
¥ The importance of providing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the employees at
this site to prevent incidents such as burns.
¥ The importance of the developing the safe work procedures which should be
documented and the workers should be trained and ensuring the implementation of
safe work procedures during the work,
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