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Cement Tankers Safety Alert

The Health and Safety Authority (The Authority) is issuing this Safety Alert in relation to a recent incident involving a cement tanker.

Cement-Tankers-Safety-Alert

A cement tanker had become over pressurised during offloading of cement into a silo. This over pressurisation resulted in the tanker skin rupturing and exploding, causing extensive damage to the tanker and nearby buildings. The pressure gauge and pressure relief valves on the lorry and tanker were not functioning as required and this allowed pressure to build up in the tanker, causing it to rupture and explode.

Employers have a duty to ensure that, throughout its working life, work equipment is kept, by means of adequate maintenance, at a level such that it complies with the relevant health and safety legislation. Pressure gauges and pressure relief valves on cement tankers are critical to preventing over pressurisation and must be properly maintained to ensure their effectiveness. 

Operators of cement tankers should check that the safety devices for monitoring and preventing over pressurisation of the tanker are functioning correctly before offloading begins.

It is imperative that operators closely monitor the pressure safety devices during cement offloading to ensure that pressure limits are not exceeded.

  • The pressure relief valve should be tested before the tanker is pressurised.
  • The air pressure gauge needs to be monitored to ensure that the safe working pressure is not exceeded.
  • No offloading should take place if pressure gauges or pressure relief valves are not functioning as designed.

Adequate maintenance of cement tankers must be carried out, by a competent person, to ensure they are safe for use. Employers and persons who own and/or operate cement tankers, are responsible for ensuring they are maintained. The relevant statutory examinations of the tanker must be carried out as per the regulations and must be in date.

  • Periodic inspections must be carried out and the results recorded and kept for 5 years.
  • These pressure vessels and any associated protective devices and pressure accessories, should not be used unless they have been examined by a competent person at least once every 26 months or after modification or repair and before return to service.

Relevant Legislation