Safety Flash
Fatality in ballast water tank – working at height in a confined space
Fatality in ballast water tank – working at height in a confined space
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 02/14
- Confined SpaceEvacuation, Escape and RescuePermit to WorkWorking at Height
- Confined space hazardsFalls from height
- Confined space entryWorking at height
- Fall protection equipmentGas detectorLadder
- Competence and trainingEvacuation, escape and rescuePermit to workRisk assessment
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A crewman suffered a fatal fall while climbing out of a vessel’s ballast tank after air-quality checks. His gas detector became trapped between him and the ladder. The flash examines absent fall protection, missing entry authorisation and training deficiencies, with lessons on safe climbing, risk assessment and confined-space rescue arrangements.
Classifications: Confined space hazards; confined-space hazards.
Classifications: Falls from height; fall from height.
Classifications: Confined space entry; tank entry; enclosed space entry.
Classifications: Working at height; work at height.
Classifications: Fall protection equipment; safety harness; fall arrest equipment.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Ladder; ladders.
Classifications: Competence and training; competency assurance; safety training.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
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 fell inside a ballast tank when a gas detector caught on a ladder during ascent without adequate fall protection.
IMCA SF 02/14. Themes: confined space, evacuation, escape and rescue, permit to work, working at height.