Safety Flash
Confined space entry: Person overcome by fumes and rendered unconscious
Confined space entry: Person overcome by fumes and rendered unconscious
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 01/19
- Confined SpaceHydrogen SulphidePermit to WorkWorking at Height
- Confined space hazardsFalls from heightHydrogen sulphide
- Inspection and maintenanceWorking at height
- Storage tanks
- Atmospheric gas testingOperating and work proceduresPermit to workRisk assessment
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A vessel crew member cleaning a faulty sewage-tank sensor was overcome by hydrogen sulphide, lost consciousness and fell from a fixed rack to the deck. The flash identifies failures in risk assessment, work authorisation, atmospheric checks and maintenance procedures, and reinforces safe systems of work and awareness of gas hazards.
Classifications: Confined space hazards; confined-space hazards.
Classifications: Falls from height; fall from height.
Classifications: Hydrogen sulphide; H2S; H₂S; hydrogen sulfide.
Classifications: Inspection and maintenance; asset inspection; equipment maintenance.
Classifications: Working at height; work at height.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Atmospheric gas testing; gas testing; atmosphere testing.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Permit to work; PTW; work permit.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A worker was overcome by hydrogen sulphide while accessing a sewage tank for maintenance and fell to the deck.
IMCA SF 01/19. Themes: confined space, hydrogen sulphide, permit to work, working at height.