ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY

Enclosed Space: Enclosed space means a space that has any of the following characteristics: limited openings for entry and exit; Unfavorable natural ventilation; Not designed for continuous worker occupancy. It includes, but is not limited to, boilers, pressure vessels, cargo holds, cargo tanks, ballast tanks, double bottoms, double hull spaces, fuel oil, lube oil, sewage-tanks, pump-rooms, compressor rooms, cofferdams, void spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces and engine crankcases. Hazards of enclosed spaces: Work in confined and enclosed space has a greater likelihood of causing fatalities, severe injuries and illness than any other type of shipyard work or onboard ships. The key hazards associated with confined spaces are: Serious risk of fire or explosion; Loss of consciousness from asphyxiation arising from gas, fumes, vapour or lack of oxygen; drowning arising from increased water level; Loss of consciousness arising from an increase in body temperature; asphyxiation/suffocation arising from free flowing solid (engulfment) or the inability to reach a breathable atmosphere due to entrapment. Entering confined spaces adjacent to loaded tanks: It is important to be aware that confined spaces may be, or have been, subject to leakage from the adjacent space. The risk is that such leakage often remains undetected because the space is not subject to regular gas measurements and ventilation. Confined spaces adjacent to loaded tanks may be entered provided the procedure for entry as given in item 4 below is completed. Spaces adjacent to cargo tanks, like cofferdams and double bottom tanks, may contain accumulated residues from previous cargoes and information about these cargoes is needed to determine proper test methods for the atmosphere in the adjacent spaces. If a tank is loaded with cargoes having a toxic vapour hazard identified by an entry T in column K of the IBC Code Ch.17, or with a toxic symbol in the Data Sheet, no survey is to be carried out in a confined space adjacent to that tank. Be aware that toxicants produced by work (like coating, sandblasting and hydro blasting) in the area of a confined space can enter and accumulate in the confined space. Entering confined spaces adjacent to inerted tanks: When other tanks in an inert condition are either adjacent or interconnected (e.g. pipeline) to the space to be entered, personnel should be alert to the possibility of inert gas leaking into that space through, for example, bulkhead fractures or defective valves. The risk of this occurring can be minimized by maintaining a small but positive pressure in the space to be entered relative to the inert gas pressure. At all times the procedures on the vessel are to be followed.

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Entering confined spaces adjacent to loaded tanks on double hull tankers additional Requirements: The compartmentalized structure in double hull and double bottom tanks makes them more difficult to gas free than conventional tanks and particular care should be taken to monitor the tank atmosphere. Although entry into double hull or double bottom tanks with adjacent tanks loaded should be kept to a minimum, tank entry will on occasion be required for such purpose as tank inspections. In relation to the entry procedure above, the following additional recommendations should be strictly enforced. Once the tank atmosphere meets the entry criteria at each sampling point, actual entry by personnel should be undertaken in two stages. First stage The first stage should be for the purpose of atmosphere verification and a general safety review. The personnel making the entry should be equipped with: An emergency escape breathing set, Personal gas detector capable of monitoring at least hydrocarbon and oxygen, Portable radio, Emergency light source, A retrieval harness, An alternative means of attracting attention, e.g. a whistle. Second stage Only after the first stage has verified that the atmosphere throughout the tanks is safe for the intended task should entry for other purpose be permitted.

ENTRY PROCEDURE:
ATMOSPHERE TESTS PRIOR TO ENTRY Any decision to enter an enclosed space should only be taken after the atmosphere within the space has been comprehensively tested from outside the space with test equipment that has recently been calibrated and checked for correct operation. (See Section 8.2). The appropriate atmosphere checks are: Oxygen content is 21% by volume. Hydrocarbon vapour concentration is less than 1% LEL. No toxic or other contaminants are present. Care should be taken to obtain measurements from a representative cross-section of the compartment by sampling at various depths and through as many deck openings as practicable. When tests are being carried out from deck level, ventilation should be stopped and a minimum period of about ten minutes should be allowed to elapse before readings are taken. CONTROL OF ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES Prior to entry into an enclosed space, a risk assessment should be completed to identify the potential hazards and to determine the safeguards to be adopted. The resulting safe working practice should be documented and approved by the responsible officer before being countersigned by the master, who confirms that the practice is safe and in
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compliance with the ships Safety Management System. The permit, or other enabling document, should be sighted and completed by the person entering the space, prior to entry. The controls required for safe entry vary with the task being performed and the potential hazards identified during the risk assessment. However, in most cases an Entry Permit System will provide a convenient and effective means of ensuring and documenting that essential precautions have been taken and, where necessary, that physical safeguards have been put in place. The adoption of an Entry Permit System, which may include the use of a check list, is therefore recommended. Permission to continue work should only be given for a period sufficient to complete the task. Under no circumstances should the period exceed one day. A copy of the permit should be prominently displayed at the entrance to the space to inform personnel of the precautions to be taken when entering the space and of any restrictions placed upon the activities permitted within the space. The permit should be rendered invalid if ventilation of the space stops or if any of the conditions noted in the check list change. SAFEGUARDS FOR ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY Before allowing access to the space, the responsible officer should ensure that: Appropriate atmosphere checks have been carried out. Piping, inert gas and ventilation systems have been isolated. Effective ventilation will be maintained continuously while the enclosed space is occupied. Fixed lighting, such as air-turbo lights, are ready for extended entry periods. Approved self-contained, positive pressure breathing apparatus and resuscitation equipment is ready for use at the entrance to the space. A rescue harness, complete with lifeline, is ready for immediate use at the entrance to the space. Fully-charged safety torch is ready for immediate use at the entrance to the space. A responsible member of the crew is in constant attendance outside the enclosed space, in the immediate vicinity of the entrance and in direct contact with a responsible officer. These persons should be trained in the actions to be taken in the event of an emergency. Lines of communications have been clearly established and are understood by all concerned. The personnel undertaking the task should ensure that such safeguards are put into effect prior to entering the space. The personal protective equipment to be used by people entering the space must be prescribed. The following items should be considered: Protective clothing including work clothing or protective suits, safety boots, safety helmet, gloves, safety glasses. For large spaces, or where climbing access will be undertaken, the wearing of safety harnesses may also be appropriate. Approved safety torches. Approved UHF radio. Personal gas detector or an area gas detector and alarm. Emergency Escape Breathing Device(s).
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ENTRY INTO ENCLOSED SPACES WITH ATMOSPHERES KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO BE UNSAFE FOR ENTRY:
It is stressed that entry into any space that has not been proven safe for entry should only be considered in an emergency situation when no practical alternative exists. In this highly hazardous situation, it is essential that permission is obtained from the vessels owner or operator. Entry into an enclosed space with an atmosphere known or suspected to be unsafe for entry should only be permitted in exceptional circumstances when no other practicable, safe alternative exists. A Statement should be issued by the master stating that there is no practicable alternative to the proposed method of entry and that such entry is essential for the safe operations of the ship. Where it is agreed that such an operation is necessary, a risk assessment should be carried out and a safe system of work developed in agreement with the owner. A responsible officer must continuously supervise the operation and should ensure that: The personnel involved are well trained in the use of breathing apparatus and are aware of the dangers of removing their face masks while in the unsafe atmosphere. Personnel use positive pressure breathing apparatus and are connected to a lifeline. The number of persons entering the tank is kept to a minimum consistent with the work to be performed. Ventilation is provided where possible. Means of continuous communication are provided and a system of signals is agreed and understood by the personnel involved. Spare sets of breathing apparatus, a resuscitator and rescue equipment are available outside the space and a standby party, with breathing apparatus donned, is in attendance in case of an emergency. All essential work that is to be undertaken is carried out in a manner that will avoid creating an ignition hazard.

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PUMPROOM ENTRY PRECAUTIONS: Cargo Pump rooms are to be considered as enclosed spaces and the requirements of this Chapter should be followed to the extent possible. However, because of their location, design and the operational need for the space to be routinely entered by personnel, pump rooms present a particular hazard and therefore necessitate special precautions, which are described in the following Sections. Before anyone enters a pump room, it should be thoroughly ventilated, the oxygen content of the atmosphere should be verified and the atmosphere checked for the presence of hydrocarbons and any toxic gas associated with the cargo being handled. Formal procedures should be in place to control pump room entry. The procedure used should be based on a risk assessment, should ensure that risk mitigation measures are followed, and that entries into the space are recorded. Where a fixed gas detection system is fitted which is correctly calibrated and provides actual gas readings as a percentage LFL (%LFL) at representative locations within the pump room, it can be used to provide information for safe entry into the space. A communications system should provide links between the pump room, navigation bridge, engine room and cargo control room. In addition, audible and visual repeaters for essential alarm systems, such as the general alarm and the fixed extinguishing system alarm, should be provided within the pump room. Arrangements should be established to enable effective communication to be maintained at all times between personnel within the pump room and those outside. Regular communication checks should be made at pre-agreed intervals and failure to respond should be cause to raise the alarm. VHF/UHF communication should not be used as a primary communication method where it is known that reception may not be reliable or practicable due to noise. Where communication by VHF/UHF is difficult, it is recommended that a stand-by person is positioned on the pump room top and that a visual and remote communication procedure is put in place The frequency of pump room entry for routine inspection purposes during cargo operations should be reviewed with a view to minimizing personnel exposure. Notices should be displayed at the pump room entrance prohibiting entry without formal permission. VENTILATION OF PUMP ROOM: Because of the potential for the presence of hydrocarbon gas in the pump room, SOLAS requires the use of mechanical ventilation to maintain the atmosphere in a safe condition. SOLAS requires that ships built on or after 1st July 2002 be provided with continuous monitoring of the pump rooms atmosphere and an audible and visual alarm system which will activate when the hydrocarbon gas concentration in the pump room exceeds a pre-set level, which should not be more than 10% LFL. Throughout cargo handling operations, the pump room ventilation system must be in continuous operation and the gas detection system, if fitted, should be functioning correctly. Ventilation should be continuous until access is no longer required, or cargo operations have been completed.
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