Email Enquiry

Fire Service Hydraulic Injection Injury

Initial Email Enquiry –

Many Thanks to the Fire Chief Sellafield BNG for this very graphic example of what can happen to human tissue when mineral oils enter the body at pressure. Also to the Group Fire Advisor BP International for the following comments on the incident.

This will have a much wider learning within industry as we have many uses of hydraulics where mineral oil is used as the fluid of choice.

1st Response –

View / download comments on the Hydraulic Injection Incident (PPT presentation)

This accident happened in January 2001 in the Grampian Fire Brigade, Aberdeen during a routine training programme with the hydraulic cutters/spreaders.

  • The oil type is not an issue - irrelevant to the type of injury.
  • Low pressure leaks spills are not an issue.
  • Storage, maintenance checks and working life/type of the hydraulic hose are issues.
  • Original hoses as provided by the manufacturer should always be used for replacement.
  • Original oils as provided by the manufacturer should always be used for replacement/refilling.
  • When using the hydraulic cutter/spreaders the operator should hold the equipment in the manner as specified by the equipment manufacturer and should not hold the hydraulic hoses.

During use of the equipment a pinhole leak occurred in the high pressure hose and a thin jet of oil at 650bar (9,000psi) cut through the protective gloves and directly into a fireman's hand.

Expert medical treatment at Aberdeen's Royal infirmary saved the fireman's arm. The former fireman now has almost full use of the hand and arm.

Three separate detailed investigations took place, 2 of which were independent of the brigade including by the UK HSE, which highlighted a number of points. I have summarised the main ones above as I see it affecting the practical use of hydraulic cutting/spreading equipment typically purchased/used in RTA extrication.

Some of the information alongside the overhead illustrations in the Hydraulic Injection Incident ppt. presentation is not fully accurate in the light of the subsequent investigations, so I would treat the remarks with caution.

A key contributory factor, and there were a number, to the hose sustaining the pinhole leak was the method of storage within the fire appliance lockers. This storage was not on reels but with the hose lying, partially kinked within the lockers is somewhat cramped conditions.

Hydraulic hose should be preferably stored on purpose made reels but if not, then in neat coils with no kinks, sharp edges, protrusions against metal or other material that could over time cause damage through abrasion/friction and rough treatment.

An annual inspection and test by a person trained and qualified in the use, operation and maintenance of the particular type of hydraulic equipment, should be undertaken.


End of email correspondence on Topic to date.

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