Pipe Pigging Safety

Pigging requires an experienced operator hand. There are reports every year from OSHA of incidents which detail operators sustaining injuries, both minor and those requiring hospitalization, that occurred while performing a pigging operation. Some of the most common causes of these events are:

• opening of the main process valve while the closure door is not fully closed
• opening of the closure door while the vessel is still pressurized
• opening of the closure door while a high concentration of H₂S or other toxins remains inside the vessel
• leaving the vent valve open while the vessel is being pressurized with its medium

These causes all relate directly back to improper operation, due to inexperience or miscalculation, of the closure door(s) and the process valves. These kinds of incidents can be avoided by adding valve interlocks to the systems and most importantly by hiring experienced professionals like the ones at Professional Piping Services.

Pigging safety relies on knowing, and a strict adherence to, safety procedures which detail safe valve operating sequences. Though not intended to replace professional operators, valve interlocks can help enforce such sequences by physically blocking incorrect operations. Once permanently mounted to their respective valves or the closure door, valve interlocks block the operation of said door or valve unless the correct keys are inserted.The idea behind valve interlocking is the transfer of keys. Each lock comes with two uniquely coded keys: one for the locked open position and one for the locked closed position. During a pigging operating procedure, only the key that belongs to the valve or door next in sequence is free at a time.

Don’t risk employee safety and potential system damage to the possibility of saving a few dollars. Getting the job done safely and done right the first time is worth more than the minimal additional costs. Hire industry professionals with the experience and knowledge to provide you and your piping system excellent service. For service in Florida, call Professional Piping Services at 800-780-6098 to discuss how they can assist you.

Who is Roger M Cimbora Sr.?

Roger M Cimbora Sr. is the General Manager of Professional Piping Services, Inc.

Mr. Cimbora has been in the piping industry for over 60 years.
When a committee needs an expert to resolve issues in piping systems, Mr. Cimbora is the one they ask for. He has served on committees for American Water Works Association, American Water Works Association Research Committee, The American Society of Civil Engineers, and the National Task Committee on Piping System Rehabilitation.

His writing is well trusted in the piping industry, as is his expertise as an instructor.

He has given over 1200 educational, instructional & training seminars on piping system cleaning in the United States as well as Internationally. He has sponsored, created and implemented many training and instructional programs for in house staff or those sponsored by various government agencies.

He was a primary contributor to an extensive, in depth survey conducted by the US Army Corp of Engineer for a cost analysis of cleaning and rehabilitating piping systems.

Mr. Cimbora's achievement and expertise in this field is much greater than I have described here. To put it succinctly, if you need someone who knows the piping industry, Mr. Cimbora is your guy!