Anglo-Eastern Group

Health And Safety Manual

Ch: H&S 05.04 Date: 30.06.11 Revision: 6 Prep: PKC Appr: ML Page 1 of 4

5.4. ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES

5.4.1. General
Control the entry of personnel into an ‘Enclosed Space’ which has:
 Limited openings for entry and exit.
 Unfavourable natural ventilation.
 Not been designed for continuous worker occupancy.

Enclosed spaces include, but are not limited to, cargo spaces, double bottoms, fuel
tanks, ballast tanks, pump rooms, compressor rooms, cofferdams, void spaces, duct
keels, inter-barrier spaces, engine crankcases and sewage tanks.

All enclosed spaces must be considered unsafe for entry until proven otherwise.

5.4.2. Atmosphere Tests Prior Entry

No entry shall be permitted into any enclosed space unless the atmosphere inside has
been tested with type approved, calibrated and tested equipment.

The appropriate atmosphere checks are:

 Oxygen content 20.9% by volume
 Hydrocarbon vapour concentration less than 1% LFL
 No toxic or other contaminants

Note: Average Oxygen content in air is about 20.9%. However, to allow for various local
conditions and the sensitivity of modern equipment a reading of 20.8% or more should
be considered as safe for entry.

Tests should be carried out at various depths and through as many deck openings as
practicable. Ventilation should be stopped for at least 10 minutes before tests are carried
out.

For tanks/holds with depths greater than 10 mtrs, atmosphere check should initially be
done from deck level and then a second check for the lower section should be carried
out from the first platform inorder to make a full assessment of tank/hold atmosphere.
Person doing the entry must carry an EEBD and personal gas monitor. During this
entry, ventilation should be continuous.

5.4.3. Ventilation
 Ventilation must be carried out before entry is permitted into any enclosed
space.
 Almost all oxygen starvation accidents are caused by neglecting this principle.
Forced ventilation is preferable. Keep as many manholes / doors open as possible.
 If forced ventilation is used at least four air changes must take place before entry is
allowed. Rough estimation of four changes can be concluded by knowing the blower
capacity and the time period blower has been in operation. Where only natural
ventilation is possible the space must be allowed to ‘breathe’ 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 sea water and then pump it
out allowing fresh air to be drawn in.
 Regardless of the method employed no entry shall be allowed until tests have
shown that a safe, breathable atmosphere exists.

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 Anglo-Eastern Group
Health And Safety Manual
Ch: H&S 05.04 Date: 30.06.11 Revision: 6 Prep: PKC Appr: ML Page 2 of 4
 Duct keels are provided with fixed ventilation systems which must be in operation for
at least 2 hours before any entry is permitted.

5.4.4. ENTRY PROCEDURES

 A risk assessment should be completed and potential hazards and controls
identified.
 The Master and Responsible officer should ensure that:
 The space is ventilated.
 The atmosphere in the compartment is tested and found satisfactory.
 Safeguards are in place for all identified hazards.
 Piping, inert gas and ventilation systems have been isolated.
 Appropriate warning notices are placed on the relevant controls or equipment.
 Lighting is rigged, if required.
 Approved SCBA and resuscitation equipment is ready for use at the entrance to
the space.
 A rescue harness, complete with lifeline, is ready for immediate use at the
entrance to the space.
 Fully charged safety torch is ready for immediate use at the entrance to the
space.
 Lines of communication have been clearly established and understood by all.
 A responsible crew member should be in constant attendance outside the
enclosed space, in the immediate vicinity of the entrance and in direct contact
with a responsible officer or bridge.
 Controls are in place so that no one shall enter an enclosed space with out the
completed ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT.
 Person entering the space should complete the permit along with responsible officer
and ensure that above safeguards are put into effect prior entering the space.
 Duration of permit should be sufficient to complete the job but should never exceed
12 hours.
 A copy of permit should be prominently displayed at the entrance to the enclosed
space.
 Separate permit should be issued for each space to be entered.
 Effective ventilation shall be maintained continuously while the enclosed space is
occupied.
 The permit should be rendered invalid if ventilation to the space stops or any other
condition changes.
 Permit must be counter-signed by the Master or Chief Engineer before allowing entry
of Personnel.
 Following PPE should be used as appropriate:
 Overalls, safety shoes, safety helmets, gloves, safety glasses and safety harness
 Safety torches, approved VHF/UHF radios
 EEBD, personal gas monitors

5.4.5. Entry into Non-Gas Free Spaces

 Entry into a space that is unsafe for entry should only be considered in an
emergency situation when no practical alternative exists and such entry is
essential for safety of life/ship.
 A thorough risk assessment should be carried out and a safe plan of work developed
in consultation with the Office.
 A responsible officer must continuously supervise the operation and should ensure
that:

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 Anglo-Eastern Group
Health And Safety Manual
Ch: H&S 05.04 Date: 30.06.11 Revision: 6 Prep: PKC Appr: ML Page 3 of 4
 The personnel involved are well trained in the use of breathing apparatus and are
aware of the dangers of removing their face masks while in the unsafe
atmosphere.
 Personnel to use positive pressure breathing apparatus and are connected to a
lifeline.
 The number of persons entering the tank is kept to a minimum consistent with the
work to be performed.
 Names and times of entry are recorded and monitored by personnel outside the
space.
 Ventilation is provided where possible.
 Means of continuous communication are provided and a system of signals is agreed
and understood by the personnel involved.
 Spare sets of breathing apparatus, a resuscitator and rescue equipment are
available outside the space and a standby party, with breathing apparatus donned, is
in attendance in case of an emergency.
 All essential work that is to be undertaken is carried out in a manner that will avoid
creating an ignition hazard.
 If personnel are not connected to a lifeline, appropriate means should be in place to
identify where the persons are whilst inside the space.

5.4.6. Additional Precautions for working in enclosed spaces

 Loose scale, sludge or combustible material, if disturbed or heated, could give off
toxic or flammable gases. As far as possible such material should be removed from
work site. Effective ventilation should be maintained, and if possible, directed
towards the work are.
 Any cargo pumps, pipelines, valves or heating coils which may contain flammable
liquids or gases, should be thoroughly flushed with water, if possible prior opening.
Tank atmosphere in the vicinity of work area should be continuously monitored.
 Canister type respirators do not provide any protection against shortage of oxygen
and provides limited protection against toxic gases. These are not permitted for
use in oxygen deficient atmospheres.
 Tools should be carried in a bucket or canvas bag to avoid dropping them.
No hammering / chipping should be carried out if there is likelihood of hydrocarbon
vapours.
 When removing sludge, scale or sediments from an enclosed space, continuous
ventilation should be maintained and periodic gas tests carried out in the space.

5.4.7. Work Boats

Workboats used for tank repair work and tank inspections should be fit for the task for
which they are to be employed. Workboats are largely used when carrying out CAP
surveys in cargo/ballast tanks onboard tankers. Extreme caution should be exercised
during such operations.

Before and during their use within an enclosed space, the standard enclosed space
entry procedures should be used. In addition, the following precautions should also be
taken:
 All deck apertures, such as tank washing plates, should be opened and effective
ventilation maintained continuously while persons are in the tank.
 The work boat should only be used when the water surface is calm.
 The work boat should only be used in tanks containing clean ballast water.
 The water level in the tank should be either stationary or falling. On no account must
the level of the water be rising while the boat is in use.
 All personnel working in the compartment should wear a buoyancy aid.

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 Anglo-Eastern Group
Health And Safety Manual
Ch: H&S 05.04 Date: 30.06.11 Revision: 6 Prep: PKC Appr: ML Page 4 of 4
 A Responsible person should be standby at the top near tank hatch and if the boat is
working at a point remote from tank hatch, an additional lookout should be positioned
a little way down the access ladder at a point where a clear view of the boat is
provided.

5.4.8. Cargo tank entry on Chemical Tankers

Tank entry on a chemical carrier could present hazards much unlike other ships due to
different nature of cargoes carried.

For guidelines regarding cargo tank entry including Multiple Tank Entry on
Chemical Tankers, refer to Chemical Tanker Manual.

5.4.9. References
 Enclosed space entry permit TEC 27A
 COSWP/Chapter 17 – Entering enclosed or confirmed space.
 ISGOTT/Chapter 10.7

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