Fatalities in Confined Spaces: do we have tunnel vision?

Confined space work remains one of the most frequent, yet dangerous work-related activities undertaken. Thus, Lloyd’s Register James Pomeroy, the expert on Health and Safety asks if we have tunnel vision regarding confined spaces.

The US Occupational Safety and Health Authority (OHSA) estimates that two million American workers enter confined spaces each year. And worryingly, within some countries, the number of people being seriously or fatally injured in confined spaces is increasing, while in...

https://safety4sea.com/fatalities-in-confined-spaces-do-we-have-tunnel-vision/

Do’s and Dont’s to ensure zero accidents onboard

As the shipping industry is striving to improve safety, major representatives from the sector agreed to the industry’s Golden Safety Rules, along with other ideas as well regarding how these measures can be applied. This is part of the ‘Together in Safety’ initiative, which aims to achieve a zero-incident industry, and the agreement took place during the Global Maritime Forum 2019 in Singapore.

9 Golden Safety Rules: Their aim

Paramount high-level rules to prevent loss of life or life changing...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-dos-and-donts-to-ensure-zero-accidents-onboard/

Safe enclosed space entry: More regulations or just less complacency?

The shipping industry does not need more regulation, but a more thorough understanding of the current regulations and a more efficient safety culture to implement the existing regulatory framework, especially when it comes to enclosed space entry, was a key message by shipping experts in the latest SAFETY4SEA Athens Forum, which successfully concluded on 2nd October 2019 at Eugenides Foundation.

What is an enclosed space entry?

Enclosed spaces are spaces that have limited openings for entry and...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-safe-enclosed-space-entry-more-regulations-or-just-less-complacency/

Does enclosed space entry need more regulation?

In the following article, InterManager Secretary General, Captain Kuba Szymanski, discusses the problems associated with working in enclosed spaces onboard ships and considers what measures the industry needs to take to save lives.

It’s not often that I would find myself advocating greater regulation in the shipping industry – but when it comes to the situation regarding enclosed spaces on vessels I will make an exception!

I would however insist that any new regulation would actually benefit the...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-does-enclosed-space-entry-need-more-regulation/

Toxic gases onboard ships: How to avoid poisoning

Apart from the common occupational health and safety issues, risk remains high for people working onboard as they may be exposed to gases or vapors that are poisonous. In this respect, crew members working with dangerous goods should adhere strictly to basic safety precautions and be familiar with the conventional labeling of these goods which should never be stored in anything other than their original containers.

What types of gases may affect seafarers

  1. Carbon monoxide: it is often mild but...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-toxic-gases-onboard-ships-how-to-avoid-poisoning/

Lessons learned: Enclosed space fatality

In its latest ‘Lessons learned’ article, the UK P&I Club analyzes an enclosed space fatality onboard a bulk carrier. The investigation found that the void space, where the fatality occurred, had not been opened for about 6 months and was not fitted with any natural ventilation.

The incident

On a loaded bulk carrier, a bulkhead stool void space was due for periodical internal inspection.

The chief officer instructed the bosun to open the main deck hatch to the vertical access trunk and to place a...

https://safety4sea.com/lessons-learned-enclosed-space-fatality/

Gard alerts on lack of oxygen dangers during an enclosed space rescue drill

Enclosed space rescue drills often lead to injuries and fatal incidents, either it’s because of lack of safety measures or lack of oxygen. Gard supports that preparedness comes with regular training and practice during the drills and recommends that time based goals should be set during enclosed space entry drills so that the crew understands the associated risks.

SAFETY4SEA recently discussed about oxygen deficiency in confined spaces, and the dangers behind it.

An oxygen-deficient atmosphere...

https://safety4sea.com/gard-alerts-on-lack-of-oxygen-dangers-during-an-enclosed-space-rescue-drill/

Two crew members die after enclosed space entry on RMI-flagged ship

The Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator informed of another two recent enclosed space entry deaths onboard an RMI-registered bulk carrier. This comes in addition to four associated deaths of seafarers on two RMI-flagged ships in 2018.

These six deaths serve as unfortunate reminders of the dangers associated with the improper entry into shipboard enclosed spaces,

…RMI said in a new Marine Safety Advisory.

RMI has noted some similarities between this and other recent...

https://safety4sea.com/two-crew-members-die-after-enclosed-space-entry-on-rmi-flagged-ship/

Oxygen Deficiency: The Silent Killer

Injury or death due to oxygen deficiency is a common hazard in the maritime industry. An oxygen-deficient atmosphere has less than 19.5% available oxygen (O2) and any atmosphere with less than 20.8 % oxygen should not be entered.

Confined spaces, if not properly monitored, can create hazards for workers and rescuers. The oxygen level in a confined space can decrease because of work being done, such as welding, cutting, or brazing; or, it can be decreased by certain chemical reactions (rusting,...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-oxygen-deficiency-the-silent-killer/

Enclosed space design has to improve to avoid further deaths

InterManager conducted a survey focusing on the danger of enclosed spaces aboard vessels. InterManager published the results and the feedback of the survey to highlight the risks hiding in that sector of the shipping industry, while also alert the industry of the importance of eradicating these risks.

The survey was conducted in the timeframe of three months, while crew, representing more than 5,000 seafarers, from about 250 vessels provided feedback.

The Association aspires to make stakeholders...

https://safety4sea.com/enclosed-space-design-has-to-improve-to-avoid-further-deaths/