Entering
an Enclosed Space
An
enclosed space can kill with the potential gases or lack of
oxygen in that area, what you're about to read actual happened;
Situation
One
A Freezer trawler had just hauled and the hold-man went into
the hold to get ready to put away the fish - a second man went
to call him and see if he was ready to take the fish into the
fish-hold and he saw the man lying at the bottom of the fish-hold
- he went to investigate and see what was wrong with the hold-man
- he too collapsed - a third man came to investigate and he
also went to the bottom of the fish-hold and he collapsed also
- all three men died because of the freezing gas escaping into
the fish-hold.
Situation
two
Another situation was with Bulk Fish held in tanks with no breather
pipes on top of the tank lids - when it came time to land the
fish - a crew member opened the tank lid and was catapulted
into the harbour - the build up of gases given off from the
fish had built up inside the tank and when the lid was opened
it threw the man into the harbour - the man survived and the
skipper did a risk assessment and place breather pipes on top
of the tank lids
Precautions
before entering an enclosed space (especially if the space has
been closed for ages)
The
enclosed space could be a tank/cargo hold/focsule or any sealed
compartment
(1)
Always get the skippers/masters permission before entering
an enclosed space
(2) Get a permit to work
(3) Always know what if any toxic gases are in the enclosed
space
(4) Ventilate the enclosed space
(5) Check the air content in the enclosed space (use an oxygen
analyser (OXYMETER) - Plumbers have these)
Technovation
Analytical Instruments PVT.Ltd
Intrinsically Safe Personal OXYMETER Series 11
TECHNOVATION Series 11 intrinsically safe oxymeter offers
a personal Oxymeter range 0-25 % Oxygen which can be hand-held,
is portable and handy. The oxymeter is provided with an analogue
scale 0-25% with 0-19.5% shown red, which range is hazardous
to personal safety due to the insufficiency of O2 for breathing.
The O2 sensor can be lowered into the confined space or vessel
before man-entry to check for an oxygen deficiency condition.
(6) If needed wear Self-contained breathing apparatus (S.C.B.A.)
(7) There should be personnel checking your name/rank/time
you entered and time your due out of the enclosed space
(8) Use a lifeline
(9) Have a form of communication between you and the person
at the entrance;
1
pull = give me more slack;
2 Pulls = I'm coming out;
3 or more pulls = get me out
(10) Have someone at the entrance trained in First-Aid
(11) Watch your pressure gauge for the amount of oxygen you
have in your S.C.B.A tank.
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