A tragic number of fatalities have occurred in the maritime industry due to asphyxiation in enclosed spaces. The following points summarize the scope of the problem and the necessary safety measures.
Scope of the Fatality Risk
The risk of death in enclosed spaces on ships is significant and often involves multiple victims.
- Estimated Deaths: Approximately 350 seafarers and third-party workers have been killed in enclosed spaces since 1996.
- Recent Accidents: Since 2022, 43 accidents have been reported, resulting in 70 of these deaths.
- Multiple Fatalities: Enclosed space accidents frequently result in multiple fatalities, often claiming the lives of initial rescuers.
Definition of Spaces
Understanding the characteristics of dangerous spaces is crucial for safety.
- Enclosed Space: A space not designed for continuous worker occupancy, characterized by limited openings for entry/exit and/or inadequate ventilation. Examples include cargo spaces, fuel tanks, CO2 rooms, and refrigerated sea water (RSW) tanks.
- Confined Space: Any place where, due to its enclosed nature, there is a reasonably foreseeable risk arising from its restricted access.
Critical Safety Measures
A structured approach is required to manage and control the risk of entering confined spaces.
- Avoidance of Entry: Entry into confined spaces should be avoided whenever reasonably practical.
- Risk Assessment: When entry cannot be avoided, a thorough Confined Space Risk Assessment must be conducted.
- Personnel Training: All personnel involved in confined space entry must be properly trained.
- Procedures and Control: Robust procedures must be established to manage and control all aspects of confined space entry.
- Non-Hazardous Rescue: Suitable rescue procedures must be implemented for casualties that specifically do not involve putting other individuals at risk.
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Source: Marine Safety Forum
