Safety Flash
Confined space – multiple fatalities
Confined space – multiple fatalities
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 06/11
- Confined SpaceEvacuation, Escape and RescueHydrogen Sulphide
- Confined space hazardsFalls from heightHydrogen sulphide
- Confined space entry
- Gas detectorStorage tanks
- Evacuation, escape and rescueAtmospheric gas testingVentilation
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
A bosun fell into a vessel’s slop tank for unknown reasons. Two colleagues entered to help, and all three became unconscious. Subsequent rescue used ventilation, atmospheric testing and breathing apparatus. The bosun died; both colleagues recovered after hospitalisation. Investigation noted impulsive rescue entries and inadequate understanding of hydrogen sulphide accumulation.
Classifications: Confined space hazards; confined-space hazards.
Classifications: Falls from height; fall from height.
Classifications: Hydrogen sulphide; H2S; H₂S; hydrogen sulfide.
Classifications: Confined space entry; tank entry; enclosed space entry.
Classifications: Gas detector; gas monitor; gas detection instrument.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Atmospheric gas testing; gas testing; atmosphere testing.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
An incident has been drawn to IMCA’s attention in which one man died and two men had to be hospitalised following entry into a confined space.
IMCA SF 06/11. Themes: confined space, evacuation, escape and rescue, hydrogen sulphide.