Investigation Report
Safety warning about working in enclosed spaces after the loss of 1 life on a fishing vessel
Safety warning about working in enclosed spaces after the loss of 1 life on a fishing vessel
- MAIB
- Investigation Report
- Confined Space
- Confined space hazardsHazardous substancesLoss of containmentOxygen deficiency
- Confined space entry
- Breathing apparatusStorage tanks
- Evacuation, escape and rescueOperating and work proceduresRisk assessmentVentilation
- Commercial fishing
- Port and quaysideVessel
Summary
This bulletin presents initial findings from a fatal refrigerated salt water tank entry aboard Sunbeam at Fraserburgh. Testing found severe oxygen deficiency and Freon R22; refrigerant leakage through failed evaporator tubes was considered likely. It discusses hazardous rescue attempts and recommends tank-entry risk assessments, safe procedures and appropriate safety equipment.
Classifications: Confined space hazards; confined-space hazards.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Oxygen deficiency; oxygen deficient; oxygen displacement; oxygen depletion.
Classifications: Confined space entry; tank entry; enclosed space entry.
Classifications: Breathing apparatus; SCBA; self-contained breathing apparatus.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Evacuation, escape and rescue; EER; escape and rescue.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Ventilation; forced ventilation.
Classifications: Commercial fishing.
Classifications: Port and quayside; quayside; harbour; harbor.
Classifications: Vessel; aboard ship; onboard vessel.
Summary
Urgent bulletin issued after working in a refrigerated salt water tank resulted in a fatal accident on board fv Sunbeam (FR487) at Fraserburgh, Scotland.
Themes: confined space.