Hydraulic hose failure: risk of injection injury

A Mechanical Technician was using hydraulic flange spreaders to remove a gasket from pipework during a shutdown. Pre-use checks had been conducted and approved gloves were being worn. He was holding the hydraulic flange spreaders in the correct manner, by their handle. The flange spreaders were being pressurised by a colleague using a hand operated pump. Whilst doing so the hydraulic hose burst in the vicinity of the handle of the flange spreaders. The recoil resulted in the hose coming into contact with the technician’s hand/forearm area.

The technician was not sure if pressurised hydraulic fluid contacted his hand. If it had, he may have sustained an injection injury.

He was examined by the medic and no damage to his glove or hand was found. As an additional precaution he was also checked at hospital and no injury identified.