Procedure for Entering an Enclosed Space on a Ship

A ship is a complex structure from inside with several small and enclosed spaces.
Many of these enclosed spaces are used for installing some machinery or for storing
machine parts or workshop equipment.

A ship has a matrix of pipelines, which runs through each of its parts, including
enclosed spaces. An enclosed space can be used for several reasons; however, the
main issue arises when one has to enter these enclosed spaces in order to do some
repairing work or for cleaning purposes.

Unfortunately, numerous incidents involving personal injury, loss of lives, enclosed

space casualties have been reported off late due to failure to follow correct entry
procedures

Even though shipping companies issue warnings about the dangers and provide
relevant training, too many seafarers are still dying or are severely injured.

What is an enclosed pace and what are its

characteristics?
An enclosed space is a space which is not used for day to day activity and which has
any of the following characteristics:

1. Limited opening for entry and exit

2. Inadequate ventilation

3. Is not designed for continuous worker occupancy

The presence of any one of the characteristics as stated above can make space an
enclosed space. A ship-specific list should be available to identify all enclosed spaces
on-board and should be displayed in public spaces. The most common confined
spaces on-board ships are cargo holds, chain lockers, cofferdams, water tanks, void
spaces, duct keels, fuel tanks, engine crankcases, exhaust and scavenge receiver.

Any area on the ship that has been left closed for any length of time without
ventilation must be considered dangerous. Changes in the environment of a space
which is not labelled unsafe can also make space unsafe, for example, failure of fixed
ventilation or from the migration of hazardous vapours from an adjacent hazardous
space.

It is best practice to not to enter a dangerous space, however on-board crew members
have to enter enclosed spaces for a number of reasons including routine inspection of
tanks (ballast tanks, DB tanks), checking if a tank is dry before loading, cleaning of
tanks or holds, maintenance including painting, repairing, etc.

Dangers and hazards associated with enclosed

spaces can be –
1. Lack of oxygen – the acceptable range of oxygen in an enclosed space is between
19.5% to 23.55. Oxygen in any compartment can reduce due to many factors- rusting
of steel parts is the most common one. We all know that rusting is nothing but the
process of oxidation-thus oxygen is consumed. Oxygen can also be consumed by
activities like hot work, welding or due to the occurrence of fire.

Inert gases entering the space can also deplete the oxygen content. Remaining traces
from discharged cargoes such as iron ore, coal can absorb oxygen.

2. Hazardous vapours– Presence of toxic vapours can make space deadly even if
there is no lack of oxygen or the compartment is oxygen enriched. A person may
suffer from eye irritation, headache or even become unconscious if he/she inhales
toxic gases. A higher concentration of toxic gases can also cause death.
3. Leakage of hazardous materials from adjacent space.

4. Insufficient/no ventilation – there could be high chances of presence of toxic

gases or absence of oxygen, both cases being lethal for man entry.

5. Restricted space– restricted or limited space in any compartment can make

rescue attempts from such chambers difficult and challenging. Personnel should
understand the layout of an enclosed space before attempting entry.

6. Inadequate lighting.

7. Personal injury due to slips, trips, and fall.

Because of zero ventilation, these enclosed places generate and store toxic gases
which are either produced from chemicals stored in the place or leakage from
pipelines. If a person enters such a place without taking precaution, he or she may
suffer unconsciousness and sometimes even death.

There have been many accidents in the maritime industry related to enclosed spaces
that have not only caused health hazards but also have coasted their lives.

In spite of stringent checklists, permits to work, our fellow seafarers are still losing
their lives.

Below we have enumerated some of the main issues that are often overlooked.

 Failure to recognize dangerous enclosed spaces and all hazards associated with them
 Lack of awareness on the hazards of what is carried on-board
 Unplanned and poorly executed rescue attempts
 Lack of understanding or non-compliance with company procedures, checklists
should not be treated as a tick box exercise. The vessel safety management system
should be implemented properly. A range of safeguards exist to protect against
 accidents and injury in enclosed spaces, and these should be taken seriously.
Checklists are prepared for a reason. Keeping to the procedures is the rescuer’s first
defence against injury or death.
 Incorrect use of critical safety equipment
 Failure to carry out necessary safety precautions
 Unplanned and poorly executed rescue attempts
 Acting on emotion and instinct and disregarding knowledge and training- people
believe it won’t happen to me. Impulsive behaviour can be fatal. It is human nature to
want to save a colleague, and in this thought, rescuers rush in without taking proper
safety precautions.
 Lack of intervention.

To prevent such unfortunate circumstances, there is a proper procedure that needs to

be followed for the safety and wellness of the person entering the enclosed space.

Procedure for Entering an Enclosed Space

The following are the points that need to be followed before entering an enclosed
space:

 ŸRisk assessment to be carried out by a competent officer as enclosed or confined

space entry is deficient in oxygen, making it a potential life hazard
 Risk assessment is one of the core preparation tools for enclosed space entry. It is
designed to minimize the possibility of accidents by dealing with every aspect of the
entry, identifying the hazards, deciding the control measures and finding alternatives
or solutions or means to mitigate the risks. RA should be performed every time
before man entry

 A list of work to be done should be made for the ease of assessment for e.g. if welding
to be carried out or some pipe replacement etc. This helps in carrying out the work
quickly and easily
 Potential hazards are to be identified such as the presence of toxic gases
 Opening and securing has to be done and precaution should be taken to check if the
opening of enclosed space is pressurized or not
 All fire hazard possibilities should be minimized if hot work is to be carried out. This
can be done by emptying the fuel tank or chemical tank near the hot workplace
 The confined space has to be well ventilated before entering. Enough time should be
allowed to establish a ventilation system to ensure that air containing enough oxygen
to sustain life is introduced. Ventilation can either be natural or mechanical using
blowers.

 Space has to be checked for oxygen content and other gas content with the help of
oxygen analyser and gas detector. Atmosphere testing instruments should be able to
measure the presence of carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulphide. Tests should be
carried out at different levels of the enclosed space, the top, middle and the bottom
and through as many openings as possible to obtain a representative sample of the
atmosphere in the space. Exposure to even 2 to 5 ppm hydrogen sulphide atmosphere
can cause headache, nausea and teary eyes.

METHANE  – RISES TO THE TOP AS IT IS LIGHTER THAN AIR

CARBON MONOOXIDE– STAYS IN THE MIDDLE AS IT IS THE

SAME WEIGHT AS AIR

CARBON DIOXIDE – SINKS TO THE BOTTOM AS IT IS

HEAVIER THAN AIR

 The oxygen content should read 20% by volume. Percentage less than that is not
acceptable and more time for ventilation should be given in such circumstances.
 Enough lighting and illumination should be present in the enclosed space before
entering
 A proper permit to work has to be filled out and checklist to be checked so as to
prevent any accident which can endanger life. A confined space should only be
entered with an authorised and issued permit and by a trained and competent
person. The permission to work in an enclosed space specifies:
– The location of the work
– The nature and limitations of the work
– Details of the working team and tools to be used
– Potential hazards
 – Precautions are taken
– Protective equipment to be used
– Time of issue and its validity
– Agreed communication methods and intervals
– Signature of the person on issuing the permit and on completion of the work
– Signature of the person who is supposed to enter thus confirming he has been
advised on the hazards and the precautions to be observed

 Permit to work is to be valid only for a certain time period. If the time period expires
then again new permit is to be issued and the checklist is to be filled out.
 Permit to work has to be checked and permitted by the Master of the ship in order to
work in confined space
 Proper signs and Men at work signboards should be provided at required places so
that person should not start any equipment, machinery or any operation in the
confined space endangering the life of the people working
 Duty officer has to be informed before entering the enclosed space
 The checklist has to be signed by the person involved in entry and also by a
competent officer
 One person always has to be kept standby to communicate with the person inside the
space. Effective communication between the people inside the space and the person
standing by is vitally important. The communication system must be agreed and
tested. The standby person must, in turn, be able to communicate with the officer of

the watch

 The person may also carry a lifeline with him inside

 The person should carry oxygen analyser with him inside the enclosed space and it
should be on all the time to monitor the oxygen content.  As soon as level drops, the
analyser should sound alarmed and space should be evacuated quickly without any
delay
 ŸNo source of ignition has to be taken inside unless the Master or competent officer
is satisfied
 The number of persons entering should be constrained to the adequate number of
persons who are actually needed inside for work
 The rescue and resuscitation equipment are to be present outside the confined space.
Rescue equipment includes breathing air apparatus, spare charge bottles, stretchers,
 means of hoisting an incapacitated person from the space like a tripod, rescue
harness, portable lighting, etc.

 Means of hoisting an incapacitated person should be available

 After finishing the work and when the person is out of the enclosed space, the after-
work checklist has to be filled
 The permit to work has to be closed after this

The above-mentioned procedure is extremely important to enter an enclosed space.

These points are imperative to risk any crew member’s life while entering a confined
space.

It is of paramount importance that enclosed space entry drills are carried out on
board. Drills should be realistic and effective and must involve the active
participation of all crew members.

Regular drills help crew members to understand and anticipate the dangers of
enclosed spaces, the rescue procedure and equipment are to be used. It gives a
valuable hand on experience and the confidence needed in a real emergency. On
completion, drills should be evaluated to identify improvements. Enclosed space
drills have been made mandatory since 1st January 2015 and should be carried out
every two months. Every crew on board should be encouraged to speak up when they
feel something is wrong. If you do not understand seek for clarification. Proper
supervision and coaching are required for new joiners so that they understand and
anticipate the dangers of enclosed spaces.