Tag: enclosed space entry

The Standard Club issued a guide concerning enclosed space entry onboard, aiming to assist seafarers to enter enclosed spaces safely, in order to prevent enclosed space-related casualties.

Many people believe that an enclosed space is always small, but that’s not true. There are many spaces on board that are considered to be enclosed spaces but they are not limited in space such as ballast tanks. Every year, a significant number of seafarers is injured or die while working/ entering enclosed spaces, mainly due to poor training and knowledge of all related procedures or a disregard of non-visible hazards.

Enclosed spaces are dangerous until proven otherwise. Industry has repeatedly rung the bell on the dangers of enclosed spaces onboard; results from a recent survey by InterManager serves as a reminder on the issues remain to be addressed. Any misconceptions as to what constitutes an enclosed space should be replaced by a zero tolerance culture. 

RMI issued its Annual Report on the investigation of Marine Casualties, revealing that it received reports of 806 very serious marine casualties, marine casualties, marine incidents, and occurrences in 2019. Accidental falls, enclosed space incidents and collisions-groundings during pilotage were the main issues of concern last year. 

In 2019, two seafarers died and two were seriously injured in an enclosed space entry incident on an RMI-registered bulk carrier. With this respect, the RMI reiterated once again the need to maintain vigilance with regards to enclosed space entry and rescue training. 

A Deck Cadet lost his life in an enclosed space onboard the RMI-registered bulk carrier LA DONNA I, in August 2018. The Republic of the Marshall Islands issued its investigation report on the accident, identifying lack of familiarity with procedures as contributing factor to the fatality. 

A crew member lost his life after entering an enclosed space onboard the oil/chemical tanker LINUS P in an attempt to rescue another crew who had lost consciousness, in November 2018. The Republic of the Marshall Islands issued an investigation report on an enclosed space fatality onboard follow enclosed space entry procedures 

Confined-space entry accidents have been the centre of attention for several years, leading to injuries and fatalities. Now, the industry is taking a closer look at the issue by launching a first-of-its-kind project. The challenging issue is mostly seen in emerging countries where personnel is employed by private enterprises or where applying health and safety policies in practice are challenging.

In its latest Safety Flashes, IMCA presents an incident of a crew member fainting after working in an enclosed space. The crew member reported he had smelled a strong odour after dislodging a large caked piece of sediment from the bell mouth.

If we had to choose one - or maybe two - words to describe 2019 for the shipping industry, these would be: human-focused. Despite the fact that 2020 sulphur cap was on everyone’s mind this year, we saw many significant developments in key human areas. From mental health issues, to women in shipping and safety culture, the industry seems to be putting its people first, trying to boost equality and – most importantly – safety.