Chapter 15
ENTERING DANGEROUS (ENCLOSED) SPACES
An enclosed space is one that: (IMO Resolution A.1050(27) S.I. 1988/1638)
· has limited openings for entry and exit;
· has inadequate ventilation; and
· is not designed for continuous worker occupation.
Que: Define an enclosed space.
Any enclosed space deprived of regular and constant ventilation may become a ‘dangerous space’
Any enclosed space is potentially life threatening and every precaution should be taken both prior to entry and while inside.
Personnel need to exercise caution before entering any space on board a ship that has not been opened for some time.
Examples of such spaces are:
· cargo spaces;
· double bottoms;
· fuel tanks;
· ballast tanks;
· cargo pump rooms;
· cargo compressor rooms;
· cofferdams;
· chain lockers;
· void spaces;
· duct keels;
· inter-barrier spaces;
· boilers;
· engine crankcases;
· engine scavenge air receivers;
· CO2 rooms;
· battery lockers;
· sewage tanks; and
· Adjacent connected spaces, e.g. cargo space access ways.
Que: Give examples of enclosed spaces found on ships.
All crew should be given on-board training and familiarization with the risks of entry into dangerous spaces on board.
Training should include as a minimum:
· identification of the hazards involved with enclosed spaces;
· knowledge of the procedures for assessment of the space;
· knowledge of the procedures for safe entry; and
· Recognition of the signs of adverse health effects caused by exposure to hazards during entry.
Que: What training should be provided to all crew about Enclosed spaces?
Precautions before entering a dangerous space
The following precautions should be taken to make and keep the space safe for entry without breathing apparatus.
· A competent person should take charge of the job
· The potential hazards should be identified
· The space should be prepared, vented and secured for entry
· The atmosphere of the space should be tested
· A permit to work system should be used
· Procedures for preparation and entry should be agreed.
· Emergency procedures should be in place.
Que: What precautions should be taken BEFORE entering an Enclosed space?
Safety precautions before entry
· The space and its access areas should be properly illuminated.
· No source of ignition should be taken or put into the space unless it is safe to do so.
· A rescue plan should be in place. In all cases, rescue and resuscitation equipment should be positioned ready for use at the entrance to the space.
· A risk assessment should identify what rescue equipment will be required but, as a minimum, this should include:
o appropriate breathing apparatus, with fully charged spare cylinders of air;
o lifelines and rescue harnesses;
o torches or a lamp (approved for use in a flammable atmosphere, if appropriate); and
o means of hoisting an incapacitated person from the confined space, if appropriate.
Que: What SAFETY precautions must be taken BEFORE entering an enclosed space?
Breathing equipment may be bulky and limit movement in the space. Before entry is permitted, it should be established that entry with breathing apparatus is possible. Any difficulty of movement within the space must be identified, especially for rescue operation. Risks should be minimised or entry prohibited.
Lifelines should be long enough for the purpose. They should not be relied upon as the sole means of recovering a casualty from a space.
When necessary, a rescue harness should be worn to make it easier to recover a casualty.
In addition to rescue harnesses, wherever practicable, hoisting equipment should be used. Hoisting equipment should be attended by trained personnel .
Que: What points should be considered while making a Rescue plan?
At least one competent person, with appropriate equipment, should be posted as an attendant at the entrance to the space whilst it is occupied.
An agreed and tested system of communication should be established:
· between any person entering the space and the attendant at the entrance; and
· between the attendant at the entrance to the space and the officer on watch.
Que: Who is an attendant at the entrance of an enclosed space and what are his duties?
Procedures and arrangements during entry
· Ventilation should continue till the job is completed
· The atmosphere should be tested periodically till the job is done. Should a personal gas detector give an alarm, everybody should leave the space immediately.
· If unforeseen difficulties or hazards develop, the work in the space should be stopped and everybody should leave the space. Permits should be withdrawn
· If any personnel in a space feel in any way adversely affected, they should give the pre-arranged signal to the attendant standing by the entrance and immediately leave the space.
· In case of emergency, the general alarm should be sounded to arrange help to the rescue team. Under no circumstances should the attendant enter the space.
· If air is being supplied through an airline to the person in the space, it must be maintained at the correct pressure.
Que: What procedure and arrangements should be followed during work in an enclosed space?
Procedures on completion
On expiry of the permit to work, everyone should leave the space and the entrance to the space should be closed.
Training, instruction and information
The Company should provide any necessary training, instruction and information to seafarers for dealing with the Entry into Dangerous Spaces.
This should include:
· recognition of the circumstances and activities likely to lead to the presence of a dangerous atmosphere; the hazards associated with entry into dangerous spaces, and the precautions to be taken;
· the use and maintenance of equipment and clothing required for entry into dangerous spaces; and
· Instruction and drills in rescue from dangerous spaces.
All seafarers whose duties may involve entry into enclosed spaces should attend a dedicated course for entry into enclosed spaces.
Que: What training is provided by the company for “Entry into an Enclosed space”?
Breathing apparatus and resuscitation equipment
The authorized officer and the person about to enter the space should undertake the full pre-wearing check and donning procedures recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions for the breathing apparatus.
In particular, they should check that:
· there will be sufficient clean air at the correct pressure;
· low-pressure alarms are working properly;
· the face mask fits correctly against the user’s face so that, combined with pressure of the air coming into the mask, there will be no ingress of oxygen-deficient air or toxic vapours when the user inhales (facial hair or spectacles may prevent the formation of an air-tight seal between a person’s face and the face mask);
· the wearer of the breathing apparatus understands whether or not their air supply may be shared with another person and, if so, is also aware that such procedures should only be used in an extreme emergency; and
· when work is being undertaken in the space, the wearer should keep the self-contained supply for use if there is a failure of the continuous supply from outside the space.
When in a dangerous space:
· no one should remove their own breathing apparatus; and
· breathing apparatus should not be removed from a person unless it is necessary to save their life.
Preparation for an emergency:
On all ships, an emergency drill for rescue from an enclosed space should be carried out every two months. Regular drills are recommended on other ships where the crew may be required to enter an enclosed space.
Drills should as a minimum include:
· checking and use of personal protective equipment required for entry;
· checking and use of communication equipment and procedures;
· checking and use of instruments for measuring the atmosphere in enclosed spaces;
· checking and use of rescue equipment and procedures; and
· Instructions in first-aid and resuscitation techniques.
For every entry to a dangerous space, a rescue plan should be in place. Suitable rescue equipment should be available at the entry to the space, and roles allocated in the event of an emergency arising.
Que: What is “an emergency drill for rescue from an enclosed space” and how often it must be carried out?
Que: what should be included in “an emergency drill for rescue from an enclosed space”?
Emergency rescue arrangements
In the event of an alarm being raised, no one should enter any dangerous space to attempt a rescue without taking suitable precautions for their own safety. Failure to do so will put the would-be rescuer’s life at risk and almost certainly prevent the person they intended to rescue being brought out alive. Many multiple fatalities have occurred as a result of individuals recklessly attempting a rescue without taking adequate precautions.
Should an emergency occur, the general (or crew) alarm should be sounded so that back-up is immediately available to the rescue team. Under no circumstances should the attendant enter the space.
Once help has arrived, the situation should be evaluated and the rescue plan put into effect. An attendant should remain outside the space at all times to ensure the safety of those entering the space to undertake the rescue.
Once the casualty is reached, the checking of the air supply must be the first priority. Unless they are gravely injured, they should be removed from the dangerous space as quickly as possible.
Self-contained breathing apparatus that is specifically suited for such applications must be worn. If it is found that it is not possible to enter a tank wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus, the bottle harness may be removed and passed through the access but the face mask must always be worn.
Que: What are typical “Emergency rescue arrangements”?
An emergency escape breathing device (EEBD) is NOT suitable for rescue. This is a supplied air or oxygen device, designed only to be used for escape from a compartment that has a hazardous atmosphere. It should not be worn by a rescuer to attempt a rescue of persons in any circumstances.