Safety Flash
High potential near miss: Person found unconscious in confined space
High potential near miss: Person found unconscious in confined space
- IMCA
- Safety Flash
- IMCA SF 14/19
- Confined SpaceEvacuation, Escape and RescueHazardous SubstancesPermit to Work
- Confined space hazardsOxygen deficiency
- Confined space entryPressure testing
- Evacuation, escape and rescueAtmospheric gas testingPermit to work
Summary
A commissioning engineer entered a gas valve unit during nitrogen pressure testing and collapsed. Entry proceeded without a confined-space permit, atmospheric test results or safety watch. Following rescue and CPR, the engineer recovered fully. The flash emphasises authorised entry, atmosphere testing, a safety watch, rescue planning and discussion with a supervisor.
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: Pressure testing; hydrostatic testing; pneumatic testing.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Atmospheric gas testing; gas testing; atmosphere testing.
Classifications: Permit to work; PTW; work permit.
Summary
An engineer collapsed after entering a nitrogen-filled confined space without a permit, atmospheric testing or safety watch.
IMCA SF 14/19. Themes: confined space, evacuation, escape and rescue, hazardous substances, permit to work.