Tag: enclosed space entry

IMCA draws lessons learned from an incident where a worker sustained a back injury while transiting through a lightening hole within a confined space. 

The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) is making significant strides to enhance safety standards within the global shipping sector, but we’d urge the industry to come together to collectively do more, argues Bill Liddell, Senior Surveyor  at IOMSR.

An incident investigated by the Danish Maritime Accident Investigation Board (DMAIB) highlights the fatal consequences of failing to follow proper procedures before entering an enclosed space.

Step into an enclosed space, and you could be stepping into danger. These confined environments may look harmless, but they can quickly turn lethal. Whether it's a lack of oxygen, the presence of toxic gases and fumes, or the hidden threat of fire and explosions, the risks are real—and often invisible. Understanding these hazards is the first step to staying safe.

External pressure to complete a task may lead to insufficient risk assessment, increasing the likelihood of accidents. This raises a critical question: how can you correctly identify and mark an enclosed space?

According to SOLAS Regulation III/19.3.6, every ship must conduct a rescue drill from an enclosed space at least once every two months. But why is the emphasis placed on rescue from an enclosed space rather than the entry into one?

One of the most persistent safety challenges in maritime operations is the entry into enclosed spaces. Each year, a significant number of seafarers are injured or lose their lives while entering or working in these areas; often due to insufficient training, limited awareness of procedures, or a failure to recognize invisible hazards.

The fourth Enclosed Space Entry – Joint Industry Workshop took place at OCIMF’s London office in late March, where a working group drawn from maritime organisations gathered to identify measures to reduce or eliminate deaths in enclosed spaces onboard vessels.

UK MAIB has issued an investigation report into an incident where three stevedores tragically lost their lives after collapsing in a cargo hold access space on board. 

InterManager, the Nautical Institute & IMarEST joined forces to address concerns over the continuing deaths of seafarers in enclosed spaces.