Enclosed Spaces

General

Much has been written on this subject and yet many seafarers families suffer
loss due to death in enclosed spaces. The tragedy is that most of these
deaths can be prevented by the application of simple procedures and
precautions. It is, therefore, of the utmost importance that the precautions
applying to entry into enclosed spaces are understood by everybody on
board. Any tank or other space, enclosed or not, that has been isolated from
the surrounding atmosphere for a period of time must considered as
dangerous. Enclosed spaces include the following:-

Cargo holds Pump rooms

Ballast tanks Void spaces
Peak tanks Cofferdams
Bunker tanks Fresh water tanks
Pipe tunnels Duct keels

and any other spaces which are normally kept closed.

The above spaces should never be entered without explicit instructions from
the Master or a Senior Responsible Officer. Before giving permission to enter
the Master or Senior Responsible Officer must ensure all precautionary
measures have been taken.

Anoxia

Shortage of Oxygen – this affects the brain faster that any other part of the
body. As the oxygen content of the atmosphere falls below 21% breathing
become faster, deeper and more laboured. The amount of impairment will
vary for each individual and some will become unconscious. Below 16% the
brain is quickly affected and below 10% unconsciousness is inevitable and
the individual will die if not resuscitated and removed to fresh atmosphere. At
oxygen levels below 5% unconsciousness is immediate and irreversible brain
damage occurs.

Ventilation

Ventilation must be carried out before entry is permitted into any enclosed
spaced. Forced ventilation - at least two air changes must take place before
entry is made. Natural ventilation - the space should be allowed to breath for
at least 24 hours.

In certain spaces, such as double bottom tanks, the most effective way of
ensuring full ventilation may be to fill the compartment with clean seawater
and then pump it out. Regardless of the method employed, no entry must be
made until tests have shown that the area inside the atmosphere is
breathable - contains 21% oxygen and no noxious hydrocarbon or other toxic
gases.

Gas Testing

No entry should be made into any enclosed space unless the atmosphere
inside has been tested and found to contain sufficient oxygen. Oxygen is
depleted by oxidisation (rusting) of steel – be very aware that tanks
containing amounts of rusty coloured water are highly dangerous. The first
test for all ships should be to ensure the atmosphere throughout the space
contains 21% of oxygen by volume. (Note: 19% oxygen may be breathable
but it is not "Safe".)

The second test, when necessary, should be to ensure that no hydrocarbon

gases are present and zero readings on explosimeters are obtained.
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However, it should be remembered that Carbon Monoxide, inert gas
(Tankers), exhaust fumes (Car Carriers) and Methane (formed by rotting
vegetable/animal products in dirty bilge/ballast water) may also be present
and are not life supporting. Before entry is permitted, the Master or a Senior
Responsible Officer must ensure that tests have been made by a competent
individual for these and any other gases which may be considered applicable.

Entry Procedures

No-one should enter an enclosed space without the Master’s or Senior

Responsible Officer’s signed consent on a Company approved form or
"Check List". Further, individuals should never enter enclosed spaces alone
unless a watchman stationed at the entrance of the compartment, the
"linkman", is in continuous communication with the man in the tank and the
emergency support co-ordinator (officer on the bridge at sea or the officer on
watch in the engine room).

An Enclosed Space Entry Check-List

This check-list must be completed by the Responsible Officer in charge and

must always be approved and countersigned by the Master. A separate
check-list should be completed for each and every entry operation and should
include the following details.

1. Spaces to be entered.
2. Reasons for entry.
3. Entry and exit points.
4. Results of atmosphere checks.
5. Names of persons entering.
6. Times of entry and expected duration.
7. Method and frequency of communication.
8. Name of the linkman.
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 9. At least one compressed air breathing apparatus set must be
positioned at the point of entry together with a resuscitation unit and
rescue equipment consisting of life-lines and harnesses.

10.The Co-ordinator is on duty to sound the emergency alarm without

delay if a problem occurs.

11. Details of ventilation method.

12. Personal oxygen meters are issued - if available.

Note: Entry into a space that is not gas freed or does not contain 21% oxygen
must never be undertaken by a crew member – except in an emergency to
save life and only when using a breathing apparatus and with full back up/
support party.

Duties of the Master

The Master is personally responsible for the safety of every man entering an
enclosed space. As this is a potentially dangerous act, he must ensure before
signing the entry into enclosed space form that he is satisfied that it has been
properly ventilated, that the atmosphere in the space has been properly
tested (with the appropriate instruments at different levels for oxygen and/or
other gases) and that the people carrying out the tests are competent to do
the job. He must also ensure that a "Responsible Officer" is in charge of the
operation.

Responsibilities of the Officer in Charge

He must ensure that the space has been found safe, that the necessary lines
of communication and equipment are in place so that in the event of trouble
inside the space, the emergency party are able to respond quickly and safely
to evacuate the people inside.

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He must ensure communications between the people inside the tank and
those on stand-by outside the tank have been established and that a co-
ordinator is monitoring the situation from a place where alarms can be raised
to send in the emergency team.

Rescue

On no account should the linkman attempt to enter it before additional help

has arrived, and no-one should enter any space or attempt to rescue without
wearing a breathing apparatus set and a rescue harness. All too often a
casualty in an enclosed space has caused the linkman to rush into the space
in an attempt to effect a rescue, often with fatal results, so that when the
rescue party arrives they are then confronted with two casualties and double
the problems. The Master or Responsible Officer should make sure that
people who have been given rescue duties and responsibilities are competent
in the use of breathing apparatus sets and have been trained and drilled in
enclosed space entry. Regular drills should be undertaken simulating rescue
of incapacitated people from dangerous spaces and details recorded in the
official log book.

Entry Drills

Whilst a statutory duty to practice emergency drills simulating the rescue of a

crew member from a dangerous space may not apply to all ships and all
flags, such drills are certainly in the interests of shipboard safety. Drills should
be held at regular intervals (not exceeding two months) and recorded in the
official log book. These drills can range from "table top drills" in which the
procedures are enacted and discussed, to a full-scale emergency drill to
retrieve a dummy from a tank or compartment.

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