Safety Flash
Confined space fatality
Confined space fatality
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 09/07
- Confined SpaceExplosionHot Work and Fire
- Confined space hazardsExplosionFire
- Confined space entry
- Hose
- Atmospheric gas testingEnergy and process isolation
- Marine industry
- Vessel
Summary
This safety flash describes fatal casualties following an explosion and serious fire in a vessel’s machinery space while in dry dock. Flammable gas accumulation was considered possible, with the ignition source unknown. Recommendations address gas-free certification, ongoing atmospheric monitoring, and isolation, depressurisation or removal of flammable-gas hoses during work breaks.
Classifications: Confined space hazards; confined-space hazards.
Classifications: Explosion; explosive atmospheres.
Classifications: Fire; fire safety.
Classifications: Confined space entry; tank entry; enclosed space entry.
Classifications: Hose; flexible hose.
Classifications: Atmospheric gas testing; gas testing; atmosphere testing.
Classifications: Energy and process isolation; isolation; energy isolation.
Classifications: Marine industry; shipping industry; maritime sector.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
A Member has reported an incident onboard a vessel in dry dock involving a number of fatalities caused by an explosion in a confined space.
IMCA SF 09/07. Themes: confined space, explosion, hot work and fire.