Event
- Event ID
- 363
- Quality
- Description
- While disconnecting the liquid hydrogen filling line from the tanker, hydrogen escaped burning the man who was holding the hose; he was burned on hands and stomach, despite the prescribed clothing was being worn.
[Ordin, NASA (1974)] - Event Initiating system
- Classification of the physical effects
- Unignited Hydrogen Release
- Nature of the consequences
- Leak No Ignition (No additional details provided)
- Macro-region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Date
- -
- Main component involved?
- Valve (Shut-Off)
- Initiating cause
- Wrong Operation
- Root causes
- Root CAUSE analysis
- The LH2 shut off valve was partially open but both men assumed it was closed.
Facility
- Application
- Hydrogen Transport And Distribution
- Sub-application
- LH2 tanker
- Hydrogen supply chain stage
- Hydrogen Transfer (No additional details provided)
- All components affected
- hose, shut-off valve
- Location type
- Open
- Location description
- Industrial Area
- Operational condition
Emergency & Consequences
- Number of injured persons
- 1
- Number of fatalities
- 0
Lesson Learnt
- Lesson Learnt
The liquid H2 shut off valve was partially open, but operators assumed it was closed. Assumptions are very dangerous, and should not replace procedures. H2TOOLS adds also that complacency increases risks.
Event Nature
- Release type
- liquid
- Involved substances (% vol)
- H2 100%
- Presumed ignition source
- No ignition
References
- Reference & weblink
Mishap no 11 in <br />
P. L. Ordin, Review of hydrogen accidents and incidents in NASA operations, 1974, NASA TM X-71565<br />
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19740020344Also in H2TOOLS<br />
https://h2tools.org/lessons/liquid-hydrogen-refueling-operational-incid… />
(Accessed Oct 2025)
JRC assessment
- Sources categories
- ORDIN
