Tag: enclosed space entry

USCG safety alert The United States Coast Guard (USCG) issued a safety alert to personnel and the maritime community warning of the potential dangers of confined space entries. During two recent inspections, Coast Guard Inspectors' gas meters alarmed, preventing a potential loss of life or serious injury.In the first case, an inspector was on board a tank vessel to conduct a Port State Control Examination. In anticipation of the examination, the crew opened the hatch to the Freefall Lifeboat to let it air out. As the Inspector entered the lifeboat his gas meter alarmed and he quickly exited. Upon investigation, it was confirmed with ship's equipment that Carbon Monoxide had collected in the lifeboat. Wind conditions had been blowing exhaust from the main stack into the lifeboat. Although not a confined space by OSHA or Coast Guard standards, the risks were the same.In the second instance, while inspecting the #1 deep ballast tank on a deep draft container ship, an experienced marine inspector was going to climb through a box-like structure formed by floors and longitudinals in the #1 bay, just aft of the collision bulkhead. The "box" had only two lightening holes. Prior to entering the first lightening hole ...

The Nautical Institute publishes Alert! Issue No. 33 An accident that should never have happened

More must be done to prevent deaths in enclosed spaces

London P&I Issues Warning on Enclosed Space Entry Incidents

Entry into Enclosed Spaces

Enclosed Space Entry

Enclosed Space Entry

Captain David Patraiko iscusses the need for drills relating to safe entry into enclosed space entry

American P&I Club - E learning tools The Americal P&I Club reports the release of a new e-Learning module, The Case of the Silent Assassin, which deals with the hazards of entering enclosed spaces on board ship.Seafarers and shipowners alike know all too well of the fatalities which can tragically attend such seemingly routine activities.For more information, click hereSource: The American P&I Club

IMO Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers The IMO Sub-Committee on Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers (DSC) during meeting earlier this month has set up a Working Group (WG) to develop amendments to SOLAS to mandate Enclosed Space Entry and Rescue Drills.In developing these amendments, the WG agreed that an enclosed space entry and rescue drill shall be conducted at least once every two months. The group also reviewed the level of participation among the crew, agreeing that crew members with enclosed space entry or rescue responsibilities shall take part in an enclosed space entry and rescue drill.The WG also considered the mandatory carriage and continuous use of an oxygen meter or other such devices but could not identify any appropriate place to mandate for all ships within SOLAS regulation III/19. Noting the provisions in SOLAS regulation VI/3, the group agreed to insert a new provision under paragraph 3 (drills) which will refer to the checking and use of protective equipment required for entry to enclosed spaces, to address this issue.The WG's draft report can be accessed here.Source : IMO