Entry Into Enclosed Spaces - Part 1 Awareness

8/9/2019 Entry Into Enclosed Spaces - Part 1 Awareness

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ENCLOSEDSPACES

SERIES

ENTRY INTO PART 1:

AWARENESSENCLOSED

SPACESSERIES

ENTRY INTO


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2

PART 1:

AWARENESSENCLOSED

SPACESSERIES

ENTRY INTO

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ENTRY INTO

ENCLOSEDSPACES

SERIES

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COPYRIGHT © VIDEOTEL 2011

This video and accompanying workbook training package is intended to reflect the best available techniques

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4 5ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / ABOUT THE TRAINING

PAGE

ABOUT THE TRAINING 5

1.ENCLOSED SPACES OVERVIEW 8

2.THE HAZARDS 14

3.MANAGING ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY 264.EXERCISE: RECOGNISING AN

ENCLOSED SPACE 30

5.RESOURCES 32

6.ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS 34

7.ASSESSMENT ANSWERS 36

CONTENTS

What is the purpose of the ENTRY INTO ENCLOSEDSPACES SERIES?

The ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES is a comprehensive guide to the

planning, preparation and safe working in enclosed spaces. It is aimed at all crew,

including the Master, on a wide range of ship types, and is intended to complement

existing training, or as a refresher.

The aims of the training are to:

A enable seafarers to recognise an enclosed space

A increase their awareness of the hazards of entering enclosed spaces

A emphasise the importance of following correct procedures for entry into

enclosed spaces, from preparing to enter through to leaving the space afterthe job has been completed

A show how to test and use the necessary enclosed space equipment effectively

and safely, with a special emphasis on breathing apparatus, if required in an

emergency

A demonstrate how to carry out a rescue from an enclosed space

A promote safety culture onboard, including the need for regular training and

drills

The package consists of six videos with their accompanying workbooks. It can be used

either by individuals or, if time allows on your ship, in group training sessions.

The full list of programmes in the series is: j PART 1: AWARENESSPART 2: PREPARATION AND PROCEDURES

PART 3: EQUIPMENT

PART 4: ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY

PART 5: EMERGENCY PROCEDURES AND RESCUE

PART 6: CORRECT USE OF BREATHING APPARATUS

ABOUT THETRAINING


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6 7ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / ABOUT THE TRAINING

The best practice featured in these programmes

1. The procedures shown in the ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES are

considered by the industry as best practice, but it is recognised that there are

circumstances in which these procedures cannot always be followed.

2. Similarly, the enclosed space entry related equipment referred to is considered

by the industry as most appropriate for the task, but may not be available on your

ship, if for example it is not required by your flag State. References to intrinsically

safe equipment are relevant mainly to tankers and chemical carriers.

The learning outcomes of Part 1: AWARENESS

The intended learning outcomes from this part of the ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED

SPACES SERIES are for seafarers to:

A be able to explain what an enclosed space is

A understand the hazards of entering enclosed spaces

A be aware that oxygen deficiency is the most common cause of deaths in

enclosed spaces

A be able to recognise the enclosed spaces on their ship

A know when it might be necessary to enter an enclosed space

A gain awareness of the safeguards that are in place for safe entry of enclosed

spaces

How to use the training

The following are suggested guidelines for how to prepare for, and run, effective

training sessions with a small group.

Preparation

Think about the group

How familiar are your trainees with the ship’s enclosed spaces? What do they need

to know? What are the kind of questions they might ask you? What do you want this

session to achieve?

Watch the video

Which section(s) of the video do you want to concentrate on in the session? It’s

important to familiarise yourself with the video in advance, so that you can anticipate

possible questions from the group and research your answers.

Tips for running an effective training session

Begin with an overview

Tell the group what the objectives of the session are, what you’re going to cover, what

they’ll be able to do by the end of the session, and how long it will take.

Ask questions throughout

It’s a good idea to ask them questions from the start, and to encourage them to ask

you questions throughout the session.

Start discussions

Encouraging discussions in a small group will help each individual to make a

contribution to the session. But remember that some people are reluctant to speak up.

Sum up what the session has achieved

At the end, briefly pull together everything you’ve covered. Make sure that you’ve

asked for any other questions, and answered them. Ask the group what they found

most useful about the session.

And finally...

Afterwards, spend a few minutes thinking about how the session went, and how you

might want to change it next time.


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8 ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 1 ENCLOSED SPACES OVERVIEW 9

Over the years, too many seafarers have died or been seriously injured when they have

entered spaces that they had not realised were considered ‘enclosed spaces’, or when

they have gone in to rescue their colleagues.

Enclosed spaces on the ship

A large proportion of most ships consists of enclosed spaces (also known as ‘confined

spaces’), divided up into many different compartments. Spaces or areas on the open

deck can also sometimes contain pockets of gas.

The characteristics of an enclosed space are:

A it is large enough for a person to enter

A it will usually only have limited openings for getting in and out

A it is usually not designed for people to live or work in continuously

A it is not well ventilated or has no source of fresh air (e.g. ballast tanks or

cofferdams)

ENCLOSED SPACESOVERVIEW

A it could contain toxic and/or flammable gases, and/or inert gases that may

displace oxygen, or the oxygen could be used up by chemical processes (for

example corrosion, reactions with the residues from previous cargoes)

A it could contain liquids or free flowing solids

Some places on the ship, such as cargo or bunker tanks, are clearly enclosed, but

enclosed spaces do not have to be enclosed on all sides, so other spaces fall less

obviously into the category. For example, ship’s holds may have open tops but theatmosphere in the lower hold may be dangerous because of the type of previous cargo

in it.

Enclosed spaces include, but are not limited to:

A cargo holds

A fresh water tanks

A ballast tanks

A duct keels

A fuel oil bunker tanks

A gas oil bunker tanks

A inter-barrier spaces e.g. cofferdams

A double bottom tank – bilge water, dirty oil etc

A any lubricating storage tank

A pipe tunnels

A sewage tanks

A pump rooms (cargo or ballast)

A spaces within the accommodation

A chain lockers

A main engine crankcase

A exhaust and scavenge receiver

A boiler furnaces and uptakes

A boiler air spaces and heaters

A steam side of boiler

A steam side of turbines

A battery lockers, CO2 rooms, nitrogen rooms

A bow/stern thruster spaces, with attached mini-cofferdams for log, echo sounder

A some store rooms e.g. paint, chemicals, cargo or bunker samples, upper and

lower focsle stores


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Spaces that may change from ‘safe’ to ‘dangerous’

An enclosed space that has been labelled safe may become unsafe in certain

circumstances. For example, the focsle could be sealed for several days, during which

a storm causes chemicals to break loose and give off toxic fumes.

Any space on a ship that has been kept closed for any length of time without ventilation

must be considered dangerous.

Any space can become contaminated, even if it is occasionally occupied, when

machinery is operated in it, or through leakage of gases from adjoining cargo spaces,

or as a result of substances stored there, such as old lead-acid batteries.

Even the deck may become unsafe, if, for example, gas escapes from a P/V (pressure/

vacuum) valve and drops back down on deck.

The atmosphere in enclosed spaces can change from safe to dangerous in a matter of

minutes.

★ CASE STUDY ★

DANGEROUS VAPOURS ON DECK

A chemical tanker loaded a cargo of MARPOL Category “X” Crude Sulphate Turpentine

and arrangements were made for a Ship to Ship (StS) transfer with a second chemical

tanker. After this had been carried out, the first tanker carried out a mandatory

MARPOL prewash using portable washing equipment because the majority of the fixed

washing systems were defective. The washing machine water supply hose was passed

through P10 cargo tank inboard Butterworth hatch, which remained open.

As the cargo tank was washed, water mist containing cargo vapours escaped through

the open hatch as the tank’s atmosphere was agitated. The vapours accumulatedaround the Butterworth hatch in what was an unidentified enclosed space. The on

watch AB entered the area to isolate the cargo pump hydraulic motor valves. He was

immediately overcome and lost consciousness.

The Chief Officer and another AB attempted to rescue the unconscious AB. Neither

was wearing breathing apparatus. The Chief Officer was rapidly overcome. The second

AB also suffered the effects of vapour inhalation/oxygen depletion, but managed to

escape unaided.

Trainer’s notes

Exercise 1:

Individually, or as a group, record your definition of

an enclosed space.

Trainer’s notes

Exercise 2:

Spend some time going around the ship and identify

6 areas that you consider to be an enclosed space. 1

2

3

4

5

6


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Trainer’s notes

Case study discussion:

What precautions should have been taken?

What other lessons can be learned from this incident?

Trainer’s notes




The Chief Officer and the first AB were rescued and taken to hospital, where they made

a full recovery.

★ CASE STUDY ★

FAILURE TO RECOGNISE ENCLOSED SPACE

Two able seamen on a cargo vessel went missing and during a search of the vessel, thebodies of the two missing crew were found at the bottom of the access ladder inside

the forward store.

The deaths were reported and an investigation into the causes and circumstances

of the accident showed that the vessel had loaded parcels of “steel turnings” before

sailing. Before loading, the Master had received conflicting information about the

properties of the intended cargo. Despite this uncertainty, the Master accepted the

cargo, which was in fact an IMDG Code Class 4.2 material, ferrous metal turnings. This

type of cargo is liable to self-heat, and can therefore reduce the levels of oxygen within

the cargo hold. Documentation held on board the vessel specifically prohibited the

vessel from carrying this type of cargo.

The investigation found that:

A to clear the cargo hold ventilation trunking of any build up of cargo residues

from the hold, or sea water from the deck ventilator, an earlier crew had cut

the flexible bellow pieces that were fitted adjacent to the ventilation fan. This

created a direct air path from the cargo hold into the forward store

A air in the hold, with oxygen levels of around 6% by volume, almost certainly

migrated into the forward store, leading to the asphyxiation of the two crew

members when they entered the unventilated space. The reason why the two

men entered the forward store, without the knowledge of the vessel’s senior

officers, could not be established

A not withstanding the nature of the cargo stowed in the adjacent hold, the

ship’s staff did not consider the forward store to be an enclosed space,

therefore no precautions were taken before the store was entered


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Trainer’s notes

Ask the group:

Why do you think so many seafarers fail to take the

proper precautions when they go into an enclosed space?

ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 2 THE HAZARDS

THEHAZARDS

What can go wrong

Enclosed spaces account for the highest proportion of all deaths at sea. Even though

shipping companies issue warnings about the dangers, and provide training and

procedures for enclosed space entry, too many seafarers are still dying, and their

families suffering as a consequence.

The most common hazard from entering enclosed spaces is suffocation and death

from lack of oxygen.

Other hazards include:

A unconsciousness, injury or death from toxic gases/vapours

A injuries and fatalities from trips and falls

A injury from fire or explosion

A drowning in liquids or being buried under free-flowing solids

A being overcome by heat

Most accidents happen when people enter an enclosed space without proper

supervision and/or because they do not follow the correct procedures. Rushing

in, without proper preparation, to rescue and recover someone who is injured or

unconscious is a particularly high risk. But all these hazards can be guarded against.

Lack of oxygen

Deaths and serious injuries in enclosed spaces often occur when people do not realise

that there is not enough oxygen until it is too late and they have become too weak to

escape without help.

The situation becomes even worse when they have to go through narrow openings in

order to work, or if they need to climb out of the space in order to escape.

How much oxygen do we need?

There is considerable variation on advice about, and procedures for, the safe level of

oxygen in an atmosphere.

The basis for safe entry into an enclosed space is the presence of safe and breathable

air, but safe air and breathable air are not the same thing.

Safe air is generally set at 20.8% of oxygen. However, breathable air is lower than

this, and in many pieces of legislation it is considered acceptable to enter spaces

with 19.5% oxygen. One major industrial country even allows 18%. There is no set

international standard.


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Trainer’s notes

Ask the group:Have you ever had difficulty breathing in an enclosed

space on board ship? Where? What was the cause of

the problem?


★ CASE STUDY ★

OXYGEN DEFICIENCY

An experienced seafarer died on board a passenger cruise ship after he entered an

almost empty ballast tank.

The tank’s manhole cover, which was inside a small cofferdam accessed from within the

engine room, had been removed and the seafarer had been instructed to confirm the tank’s

contents. As it was not intended for him to enter the tank, no Permit To Work was issued.

How lack of oxygen affects human beings

Oxygen level in the atmosphere Effect on the body

17%• Vision starts to deteriorate

• Breathing becomes faster

• Heart rate increases

14-16%• Muscles become weak• Breathing becomes irregular

• Fatigue sets in

• Survival is possible if no bodily efforts are needed

6-10%• Nausea and vomiting

• Unconsciousness

• Death will result unless the victim is taken into the

open air and resuscitated

0-5%• Convulsions followed quickly by death

• The person may survive if rescued quickly, but if

they are not resuscitated within 4 minutes, they

will suffer irreversible brain damage

Accidents involving lack of oxygen also include serious injuries caused by falls when

the person becomes unconscious.

How is oxygen deficiency caused?

The most obvious oxygen deficient space is one that has been inerted, and inerted

spaces must never be entered. But an atmosphere can also become low in oxygen

through:

A lack of adequate ventilation

A absorption of the oxygen from the atmosphere by bulk cargoes such as

iron ore, grain, coal or tapioca, or by timber cargoes. Even leftover traces of

discharged cargoes with such properties will affect the atmosphereA the rusting of metal, e.g. corrosion of the space’s parts, scrap metal cargo and

other oxygen-reactive cargoes, or the anchor and chain

A the build-up of hydrogen or other gases, for example in battery lockers

A inert gas escaping from a purge pipe through leaking valves or inefficiently

blanked connections

A the displacing of oxygen by other gases. For example, carbon dioxide may

have been used to put out a fire, and this would reduce the amount of oxygen

in the space. Carbon dioxide is also given off by chilled fruit.

NITROGEN – BEWARE!

On tankers, nitrogen is used as an inerting medium, i.e. it displaces

oxygen in order to prevent fire or explosion. It is an odourless and

colourless gas that can cause oxygen deficiency in enclosed spaces andat exhaust openings on deck, during purging of tanks and void spaces.

Everyone should be aware that one deep breath of 100% nitrogen will

be fatal!


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Trainer’s notes





Too much oxygen

Less commonly, enclosed spaces can contain too high a level of oxygen – for example,

if an oxygen cylinder is inadvertently left open. As with the lower oxygen limit, there is

no internationally recognised safe upper limit, and different countries’ legislative acts

set it at between 21-24%. Above this, there is a risk that the oxygen rich atmosphere

could be rapidly ignited by a spark.

Oxygen in itself will not burn or explode but it will aid combustion. It therefore follows

that in an oxygen enriched environment, combustibles such as clothing will absorb that

extra oxygen and burn more violently if ignited.

Toxic gases

The effects of inhaling toxic gases can vary from headaches

and eye irritation, to dizziness, paralysis, unconsciousness

and death. Sometimes there is no warning. Many toxic

and most hydrocarbon gases are odourless and invisible,

heavier than air, and dangerous concentrations may even

build up in the open air.

In enclosed spaces you should always expect pockets of gas,

which is why you should continue to test regularly for gas

while working in the space and especially when you change your position in the space.

Make sure the alarm on your gas tester works and is set properly before entering, and

leave the unit switched on to continuous operation while you are working in the space.

Be sure to take it with you when changing position and keep it within hearing range.

Otherwise you may miss the alarm and the result could be fatal.

The absence of smell should NEVER be taken to indicate the absence of gas!

When the seaman was found to be missing, an experienced motorman was sent into

the cofferdam to check on his wellbeing. He found the seafarer lying at the bottom

of the empty tank and raised the alarm. The motorman then entered the tank but

collapsed when trying to recover the seaman.

After the ship’s emergency response team provided air to the stricken crew via in-

line breathing apparatus, the motorman recovered and was able to leave the tank.

However, the seafarer never regained consciousness. He had been asphyxiated in the

oxygen depleted atmosphere of the tank, which had not been inspected for severalyears and was heavily corroded. It is not certain why he had entered the tank but it is

likely that it was to determine whether a small amount of water in the tank bottom was

salt or fresh water.


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Trainer’s notes





Hazards from exposure to toxic gases

Name of gas Source Effect

Benzene

Hydrocarbon

gases

Petroleum cargoes

• When a person is exposed to

these gases in high

concentrations they may becomeunconscious and even die.

• Benzene is a known cause ofcancer. Even small concentrations

of benzene vapours can affect

bone marrow and may cause

anaemia and leukaemia.

Hydrogen

sulphide (H2S)

• Some crude oils,naphtha, fuel oil,

bunker fuels, bitumens

and gas oils.

• Also from organic

cargoes such as

fishmeal if it should

become damp or wet.

• First detectable by the smell of

rotten eggs.

• At low concentrations it starts

to cause nausea and eyeirritation, but as it rises, you

may lose your sense of smell,

and at high concentrations you

may become unconscious and

die in only a few minutes.

MercaptansPresent in the vapoursof pentane plus cargoes

and some crude oils.

• The symptoms are similar to

H2S and at high concentrations

it may be necessary to

administer oxygen.

Other toxic gas risks are:

A carbon monoxide from coal cargo

A escaping gas from a damaged controlled atmosphere container

A fumes from paint thinners or chemicals used for cleaning

★ CASE STUDY ★

OVERCOME BY BENZENE FUMES

The Chief Officer on a chemical tanker entered a cargo tank to inspect it, after it had

been washed and cleaned from the previous cargo. The ship was to load a cargo

of benzene in this cargo tank at the previous load port. However, the load port had

insufficient cargo and this tank was subsequently not loaded.

For unexplained reasons, the tank remained connected to the ship’s common line

where the last cargo parcel was benzene. The common line had not been properly

drained and liquid benzene remained in the line. Within two minutes of the Chief Officer

entering the cargo tank he was overcome by fumes leaking and he collapsed.

The person standing by at the point of entry to the space witnessed the officer collapse

and raised the alarm. The crew responded quickly, and rescued the Chief Officer from

the tank within 15 minutes, after which he was evacuated to hospital.

Impulsive rescues

Far too many accidents have occurred when seafarers have entered a space to rescue

one of their fellow crew members who is injured or unconscious. It is human nature to

want to save a colleague, but too many casualties have occurred when the rescuers

rush in without taking the proper precautions, because they have been overcome by

panic and have stopped thinking clearly.

If anyone who goes into an enclosed space appears to be in trouble (e.g. they

collapse, stagger, shout for help or are not contactable by the agreed method ofcommunication), the alarm must be raised immediately.

STOP before you go in, and stop to assess the risks.

If you need to rescue someone from an enclosed space that has an atmosphere which

is known or suspected to be dangerous, ALWAYS put on a BA (breathing apparatus)

set before you go in.

Rescue is dealt with in detail in Part 5 of this series.


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22 23ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 2 THE HAZARDS

After the inspection of the tank had been completed by the shipyard and company

representatives, the ship’s bosun sent an ordinary seaman (OS) to collect some debris

that had collected on the upper access ladder platform, which had no safety railings on

all three sides.

The OS descended to the platform and requested for a brush and dustpan to be

lowered in order to sweep the platform clean. He was not wearing a safety harness

with lifeline.

While an able seaman (AB) was sent to fetch the cleaning gear, the bosun observed

that the OS inside the tank appeared to be kneeling, but assumed that this pose was

to facilitate better cleaning of the platform. A few minutes later, the bosun called out

to the OS and lowered the cleaning gear on a rope. The OS rose from the kneeling

position, with his hands extended above his head in order to collect the equipment

being lowered. At this point he either suffered a black out or just lost balance and fell

backwards 12 m down to the tank bottom from the platform. The platform was only

provided with guard rails on two of its sides, and the unprotected side happened to be

the one behind the OS.

An emergency alarm was immediately raised and the Chief Officer, bosun and the AB

entered the tank wearing breathing apparatus. At the same time, the Master informed

the emergency services via the yard foreman. The shipyard rescue team arrivedpromptly and joined the ship’s team in the tank. The OS was brought on to the deck,

but regrettably was pronounced dead by the doctor.

The autopsy report stated external and internal injuries as the cause of death and

confirmed that the fall was not as a result of asphyxiation, alcohol or drugs. Tank

atmospheric checks immediately after the accident showed that there was sufficient

oxygen in the space, and the OS had probably had a momentary ‘black out’ when he

stood up from the kneeling position.

Other hazards

Other types of accident may occur in enclosed spaces when:

A crew members fall from height

A a barrier fails and a flood of water or free-flowing solid enters the space

A there is a fire or explosion in the space, which may be caused by equipment

that is not intrinsically safe (such as digital cameras brought in for the

purposes of inspection)

A gas testing equipment is insufficient or fails to operate, perhaps because the

units have not been replaced when expired, or because the battery is flat

A an unstable cargo collapses

★ CASE STUDY ★

FALL BACKWARDS INTO TANK

A crew member lost his life while working in a fuel oil tank at a time when the ship was

undergoing repairs in dry dock.

The tank had been prepared for entry on the previous day and was tested and passed

by the Chief Officer and shipyard chemist prior to entry for inspection. An appropriate

enclosed space entry permit was issued.


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Trainer’s notes




Trainer’s notes





★ CASE STUDY ★

EXPLOSION ON BULK CARRIER

A ballast tank on a bulk carrier exploded killing eight crew members.

The explosion occurred when the ship was anchored and waiting to load a cargo of

scrap metal. Before the explosion, eight crew members had spent two hours spray

painting inside a topside ballast tank.

The explosion occurred when volatile paint fumes inside the inadequately ventilated tank

were ignited, probably by the (not intrinsically safe) electric lead light the men were using.

Three of the crew were killed when the tank ruptured. Four other members of the crew

were blown over the side of the ship. The search and rescue operation mounted by

local authorities recovered one body 23 hours later. The eighth crew member, who

was probably working inside the tank, survived the explosion but died of his injuries in

hospital 16 days later.

It emerged that the crew were not provided with adequate instructions or equipment for

the painting work and were unaware of the dangers associated with the task.

Trainer’s notes

Exercise:

From the list you made in Chapter 1 of six enclosed

spaces on your ship, write down the hazards that you

are most likely to encounter there.

1 Space

Hazard(s)

2 Space

Hazard(s)

3 Space

Hazard(s)

4 Space

Hazard(s)

5 Space

Hazard(s)

6 Space

Hazard(s)


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26 27ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 3 MANAGING ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY

MANAGING ENCLOSEDSPACE ENTRY

When do seafarers have to go into an enclosed space?

It is best if possible not to enter an enclosed space at all. But there are tasks that can

only be carried out within the space, and which may be required by the company or

classification society.

Crew members enter enclosed spaces for a number of reasons, including:

A inspecting the coating of a double hull or double bottom tanks (usually ballast)

A checking for the build up of mud from ballast changes

A

checking whether a tank is dry before loadingA the routine inspection of ballast tanks and cofferdams

A cleaning

A maintenance: painting, repairing

A rescue drills

Surveyors or inspectors may also have to enter enclosed spaces to inspect and report

on their condition.

How to manage enclosed space entry

A range of safeguards exist to protect against accident and injury in enclosed spaces,

many of which are dealt with in more depth in the other programmes in this series. In

summary, they are:

A crew awareness. The Master and/or Safety Officer should hold regular meetings

with the crew to make them aware of the enclosed space hazards on board ship,

and a further meeting before each enclosed space entry

A training and drills. Training and drills should be carried out not only for normal

enclosed space entry but also for rescue from enclosed spaces, as per SOLAS

and flag State requirements. Full enclosed space entry exercises should take

place once a month

A regulations and guidelines. Guidance is available through SOLAS (the

International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea), MNTB (Merchant Navy

Training Board), ISGOTT (International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and

Terminals), COSWP (UK Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen)

and many other organisations, associations, and training providers. (See Section

5: Resources)

A marking/tagging of the enclosed spaces. All enclosed spaces must have clearlyvisible signs, indicating that they should not be entered without the proper

preparation and procedures. However, crew members should make their own

assessments and not rely entirely on signage. You will not be criticised for being

over-cautious, though you may be asked to explain your actions, or non-actions

A securing unattended spaces. It is the head of department’s responsibility to

ensure that all the entrances to enclosed spaces are kept closed or otherwise

secured against entry

A entry procedures: The ship will have procedures laid down in the SMS (Safety

Management System) for risk assessment, Permit To Work, Action Plan (also

known as the Safe System Of Work), emergencies, inspection and maintenance

of the safety equipment needed for enclosed space entry

A equipment: Depending on your type of ship and on your flag State requirements,

this may include equipment for atmosphere monitoring, respiratory protection,

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), rescue, escape, and first aid


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28 29ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 3 MANAGING ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY

Trainer’s notes

Ask the group:

What drills in enclosed space entry have you taken part in?

Was there anything that surprised you about theexperience?

What would you say is the most important thing you

learned from the drill?


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30 31ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 4 EXERCISE: RECOGNISING AN ENCLOSED SPACE

Trainer’s notes

EXERCISE: RECOGNISINGAN ENCLOSED SPACE

SHIP’S SPACES

This is a suggested exercise that you (the trainer) could do before you start a new task

involving an enclosed space, or as a general session to raise awareness even if no

enclosed space entry work is currently planned. It is designed to help your team:

A recognise and identify the variety of enclosed spaces that they might

encounter

A understand what constitutes a enclosed space and why it is dangerous

A give feedback on issues involving enclosed space entry on your ship

Recognising an enclosed space

1. Using a camera (intrinsically safe if on a tanker or chemical carrier), take a series

of photos of enclosed spaces on your ship, including obvious spaces such as

cargo tanks but also more unexpected spaces such as the deck. They should

have a variety of possible hazards, unknown as well as foreseeable.

2. Hold a session with your group and start it by opening a general discussion

on enclosed spaces. You could ask:

A what are the main characteristics of an enclosed space?

A what makes enclosed spaces dangerous?

A what feedback do you have on enclosed space entry on this ship or from your

experience elsewhere?

3. Give one picture to your group to discuss. Ask:

A is this an enclosed space?

A what is it that makes it an enclosed space?

A what are its hazards?

4. Continue, as above, with the other photos.

5. Sum up:

What have we learned?

What more could be done to identify these spaces as hazardous?


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32 33ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 5 RESOURCES

Regulations, guidance and further training

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended

UK Merchant Shipping (Entry into Dangerous Spaces) Regulations 1988

DSC 15/WP.4, 15 September 2010. REVISION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR

ENTERING ENCLOSED SPACES ABOARD SHIPS: AMENDMENT TO SOLAS TO

MANDATE ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY AND RESCUE DRILLS

ISGOTT (International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals) Chapter 10

ENCLOSED SPACES

ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals)

Netherlands Code of Safe Working Practices “Dat is Juist!” (“Safety First!”), Section

4.1 Entering closed or confined spaces

COSWP (UK Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen) Chapter 17

ENTERING ENCLOSED OR CONFINED SPACES

IMO Assembly Resolution A.864(20) Recommendations for Entering Enclosed

Spaces Aboard Ships (as amended)

Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) Entry into Enclosed Spaces training criteria

Its objectives are for participants, on completion of a course based on these criteria, to

have sufficient knowledge and understanding to enable them to:

i recognise potential dangerous enclosed spaces aboard a vessel

ii complete a typical enclosed space entry Permit to Work

iii carry out the safe testing of an atmosphere prior to enclosed space entry using

typical industry test equipment, including knowledge of its maintenance and

testing/calibration requirements iv carry out a safe enclosed space entry

v carry out self rescue from an enclosed space

vi carry out safety attendant role

UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency MGN 423 (M) Entry into Dangerous Spaces

Related Videotel training programmes

Accident Files. Code 987

Breath of Fresh Air - Portable Gas Detectors. Code 650

Don’t Gamble with Safety on Chemical Tankers. Code 595

Elementary First Aid. Code 832

Elementary First Aid Part 1. Code 989Emergency Response on Container Ships. Code 1112

Hazard Series Vol 1 and Vol 2.

Personal Safety on Board Ship Series.

Personal Safety on Tankers. Code 970

Permit to Work System. Code 621

Safe Hot Work Procedures. Code 701

Safe Working Practices. Code 1110

Tank Cleaning, Part 3. Code 503

Useful websites

International Maritime Organization (IMO): www.imo.org

Mines Rescue Service (MRS): www.minesrescue.co.uk

Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB): www.mntb.org.uk

Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB): www.maib.dft.gov.uk

RESOURCES


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34 35ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 6 ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

ASSESSMENTQUESTIONS

1. What enclosed space hazard

causes the most deaths amongseafarers?

a) falls from height

b) lack of oxygen

c) toxic gases

d) fire

2. Which of the listed spaces is

NOT an ‘enclosed space’?

a) duct keel

b) engine crankcase

c) bunker tank

d) pump room

e) battery lockerf) deck

g) all of the above can become

an ‘enclosed space’ in certain

circumstances

3. Enclosed spaces are enclosed

on all sides.

True or False?

4. What is generally considered to

be ‘safe’ air?

a) air containing 5.5% oxygen

b) air containing 16.4% oxygen

c) air containing 20.8% oxygen

d) air containing 28.1% oxygen

5. What is often the first sign of

hydrogen sulphide (H2S) being

present in a space?

a) the smell of lemons

b) the smell of petrol

c) the smell of rotten eggsd) the smell of burning

6. What enclosed space hazard is

caused by the rusting of metal?

a) toxic gas poisoning

b) anaemia

c) eye irritation

d) asphyxiation

7. The only tasks that require

enclosed space entry are

cleaning and maintenance.

True or False?

8. What will be the effect of being

in an atmosphere containing

less than 6% oxygen for 4

minutes or more?

a) death

b) muscle weakness

c) eye disturbance

d) nausea and vomiting

9. If there is no unusual smell in a

space, this means that there is

no gas.

True or False?

10. All enclosed spaces must have

clearly visible signs, indicating

that they should not be entered

without the proper preparation

and procedures.

True or False?

11. Why is it prohibited to enter a

space that has been inerted?

a) because it will cause nausea

b) because you will die from lack of

oxygen

c) because there is an explosion

hazard

d) because it will irritate your eyes

12. If you need to rescue someone

from an enclosed space which

has an atmosphere that has

been identified as dangerous,

you must first put on a BA

(breathing apparatus) set.

True or False?


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36 37ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES SERIES / PART 1: AWARENESS / 7 ASSESSMENT ANSWERS

ASSESSMENTANSWERS

NOTES

No. Answer Found in section no.

1 b 2

2 g 1

3 False1 A space may be considered as ‘enclosed’ from the point of view

of a hazardous atmosphere even if it is not enclosed on all sides

4 c 2

5 c 2

6 d 2

7 False3 There are other reasons for going into an enclosed space,

including inspection and rescue drills

8 a 2

9 False 2 Just because there is no smell does not mean that gas is absent

10 True 3

11 b 2

12 True 2


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38

NOTES

Entry Into Enclosed Spaces - Part 1 Awareness

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