A Pinhole Hydraulic Leak Can Become a Medical Emergency

Controls to confirm

• Keep hands and body away from suspected leaks: stop the task, warn nearby people and report the defect. Never feel along a hose, cover a leak with a hand, or tighten a fitting while it is pressurized. Leave fault-finding to trained personnel using the manufacturer's safe diagnostic method.
• Make the system safe before repair: authorized personnel must isolate the equipment, safely lower or support attachments, release stored hydraulic pressure and verify the safe condition under the approved procedure. Replace damaged hoses and fittings with compatible specified parts; keep people clear during controlled testing before return to service.
• Treat suspected fluid injection as an emergency: activate the site's emergency response and arrange immediate professional medical treatment, even for a small puncture. Tell responders and the treating clinician that high-pressure fluid injection is suspected; provide the fluid identity and safety data sheet without delaying care.

Today’s action

Before today's hydraulic work, confirm the approved isolation and fault-finding procedure with the responsible technician. Check that the team knows how to report a leak, activate emergency medical help and locate the fluid safety data sheet.

Source guidance

UK HSE — High pressure fluid injection hazards: avoiding hand contact, safe pressure release, guarding and specified repairs; checked 15 October 2026

UK HSE — Hydraulic injection injury safety alert: compatible fittings, controlled testing and immediate professional medical treatment; checked 15 October 2026

NSW Mine Safety — High pressure fluid injection alert: penetration through a glove, safe fault-finding and providing fluid information to clinicians; checked 15 October 2026