Stored Pressure and Residual Energy
A Zero Gauge Can Still Hide Stored Energy
Stopping equipment or seeing a gauge at zero does not prove that every form of energy has been removed. Pressure can remain trapped between valves, accumulators can recharge a line, suspended parts can move and blocked instruments can give a false reading. Before opening, disconnecting or entering equipment, the work party must isolate every source, release or restrain stored energy and prove the safe condition at the point of work.
Controls to confirm
- Identify all hydraulic, pneumatic, process, mechanical and gravitational energy sources in the approved isolation plan, including accumulators, trapped sections and equipment that could move or settle.
- Apply the approved isolation, depressurisation, draining, venting, blocking and restraint steps, keeping discharge paths controlled and people clear of potential release points.
- Verify zero energy at the actual work location using the approved test method, challenge any unexpected reading or movement and recheck whenever the isolation or task conditions change.
Today’s action
Before the first intrusive task, trace one energy path from source to the work point and ask the team to show how stored energy has been released, restrained and verified.
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