Safety Flash
Incident during entry to diving bell
Incident during entry to diving bell
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 03/10
- Confined SpaceControl of WorkDiving
- Confined space hazardsOxygen deficiency
- Confined space entryDiving operations
- Diving bell
- Operating and work procedures
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A stand-by diver attempted to enter a surfaced diving bell before residual diving gas had been flushed out. Oxygen starvation caused confusion, a fall out of the bell and brief unconsciousness on deck. The flash highlights access control, flushing, atmospheric monitoring and robust confined space entry procedures.
Classifications: Confined space hazards; confined-space hazards.
Classifications: Oxygen deficiency; oxygen deficient; oxygen displacement; oxygen depletion.
Classifications: Confined space entry; tank entry; enclosed space entry.
Classifications: Diving operations; diving; commercial diving.
Classifications: Diving bell; closed bell; wet bell.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A diver lost consciousness after entering a recently surfaced bell containing an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
IMCA SF 03/10. Themes: confined space, control of work, diving.