Revoked by A.1050(27)
RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR ENTERING ENCLOSED SPACES ABOARD SHIPS
(Adopted on 27 November 1997)
THE ASSEMBLY,
RECALLING Article 15(j) of the Convention on the International
Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to
regulations and guidelines concerning maritime safety,
BEING CONCERNED at the continued loss of life resulting from
personnel entering shipboard spaces in which the atmosphere is oxygen-depleted,
toxic or flammable,
BEING AWARE of the work undertaken in this regard by the
International Labour Organization, Governments and segments of the private
sector,
NOTING that the Maritime Safety Committee, at its fifty-ninth
session, approved appendix F to the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk
Cargoes concerning recommendations for entering cargo spaces, tanks,
pump-rooms, fuel tanks, cofferdams, duct keels, ballast tanks and similar
enclosed spaces,
NOTING FURTHER the decision of the Maritime Safety Committee at
its sixty-sixth session to replace appendix F referred to above with the
recommendations annexed to this resolution,
HAVING CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Maritime Safety
Committee at its sixty-sixth session,
1. ADOPTS the Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard
Ships set out in the annex to the present resolution;
2. INVITES Governments to bring the annexed Recommendations to the
attention of shipowners, ship operators and seafarers, urging them to apply the
Recommendations, as appropriate, to all ships;
3. REQUESTS the Maritime Safety Committee to keep the
Recommendations under review and amend them, as necessary.
Annex.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ENTERING ENCLOSED SPACES ABOARD SHIPS
The object of these recommendations is to encourage the adoption
of safety procedures aimed at preventing casualties to ships' personnel
entering enclosed spaces where there may be an oxygen-deficient, flammable
and/or toxic atmosphere.
Investigations into the circumstances of casualties that have
occurred have shown that accidents on board ships are in most cases caused by
an insufficient knowledge of, or disregard for, the need to take precautions
rather than a lack of guidance.
The following practical recommendations apply to all types of
ships and provide guidance to seafarers. It should be noted that on ships where
entry into enclosed spaces may be infrequent, for example, on certain passenger
ships or small general cargo ships, the dangers may be less apparent, and accordingly
there may be a need for increased vigilance.
The recommendations are intended to complement national laws or
regulations, accepted standards or particular procedures which may exist for
specific trades, ships or types of shipping operations.
It may be impracticable to apply some recommendations to
particular situations. In such cases, every endeavour should be made to observe
the intent of the recommendations, and attention should be paid to the risks
that may be involved.
The atmosphere in any enclosed space may be deficient in oxygen
and/or contain flammable and/or toxic gases or vapours. Such an unsafe
atmosphere could also subsequently occur in a space previously found to be
safe. Unsafe atmosphere may also be present in spaces adjacent to those spaces
where a hazard is known to be present.
2.1 Enclosed space means a space which has any of the following
characteristics:
.1 limited openings for
entry and exit;
.2 unfavourable natural
ventilation; and
.3 is not designed for
continuous worker occupancy,
and includes, but is not limited to, cargo spaces, double bottoms,
fuel tanks, ballast tanks, pump-rooms, compressor rooms, cofferdams, void
spaces, duct keels, inter-barrier spaces, engine crankcases and sewage tanks.
2.2 Competent person means a person with sufficient theoretical
knowledge and practical experience to make an informed assessment of the
likelihood of a dangerous atmosphere being present or subsequently arising in
the space.
2.3 Responsible person means a person authorized to permit entry
into an enclosed space and having sufficient knowledge of the procedures to be
followed.
3.1 In order to ensure safety, a competent person should always
make a preliminary assessment of any potential hazards in the space to be
entered, taking into account previous cargo carried, ventilation of the space,
coating of the space and other relevant factors. The competent person's
preliminary assessment should determine the potential for the presence of an
oxygen-deficient, flammable or toxic atmosphere.
3.2 The procedures to be followed for testing the atmosphere in
the space and for entry should be decided on the basis of the preliminary
assessment. These will depend on whether the preliminary assessment shows that:
.1 there is minimal risk to
the health or life of personnel entering the space;
.2 there is no immediate
risk to health or life but a risk could arise during the course of work in the
space; and
.3 a risk to health or life
is identified.
3.3 Where the preliminary assessment indicates minimal risk to
health or life or potential for a risk to arise during the course of work in
the space, the precautions described in 4, 5, 6 and 7 should be followed as
appropriate.
3.4 Where the preliminary assessment identifies risk to life or
health, if entry is to be made, the additional precautions specified in section
8 should also be followed.
4.1 No person should open or enter an enclosed space unless
authorized by the master or nominated responsible person and unless the
appropriate safety procedures laid down for the particular ship have been
followed.
4.2 Entry into enclosed spaces should be planned and the use of an
entry permit system, which may include the use of a checklist, is recommended.
An Enclosed Space Entry Permit should be issued by the master or nominated
responsible person, and completed by a person who enters the space prior to
entry. An example of the Enclosed Space Entry Permit is provided in the appendix.
5.1 The master or responsible person should determine that it is
safe to enter an enclosed space by ensuring:
.1 that potential hazards
have been identified in the assessment and as far as possible isolated or made
safe;
.2 that the space has been
thoroughly ventilated by natural or mechanical means to remove any toxic or
flammable gases, and to ensure an adequate level of oxygen throughout the
space;
.3 that the atmosphere of
the space has been tested as appropriate with properly calibrated instruments
to ascertain acceptable levels of oxygen and acceptable levels of flammable or
toxic vapours;
.4 that the space has been
secured for entry and properly illuminated;
.5 that a suitable system of
communication between all parties for use during entry has been agreed and
tested;
.6 that an attendant has
been instructed to remain at the entrance to the space whilst it is occupied;
.7 that rescue and
resuscitation equipment has been positioned ready for use at the entrance to
the space, and that rescue arrangements have been agreed;
.8 that personnel are
properly clothed and equipped for the entry and subsequent tasks; and
.9 that a permit has been
issued authorizing entry.
The precautions in .6 and .7 may not apply to every situation
described in this section. The person authorizing entry should determine
whether an attendant and the positioning of rescue equipment at the entrance to
the space is necessary.
5.2 Only trained personnel should be assigned the duties of
entering, functioning as attendants, or functioning as members of rescue teams.
Ships' crews should be drilled periodically in rescue and first aid.
5.3 All equipment used in connection with entry should be in good
working condition and inspected prior to use.
6.1 Appropriate testing of the atmosphere of a space should be
carried out with properly calibrated equipment by persons trained in the use of
the equipment. The manufacturers' instructions should be strictly followed.
Testing should be carried out before any person enters the space, and at
regular intervals thereafter until all work is completed. Where appropriate,
the testing of the space should be carried out at as many different levels as
is necessary to obtain a representative sample of the atmosphere in the space.
6.2 For entry purposes, steady readings of the following should be
obtained:
.1 21% oxygen by volume by
oxygen content meter; and
.2 not more than 1% of lower
flammable limit (LFL) on a suitably sensitive combustible gas indicator, where
the preliminary assessment has determined that there is potential for flammable
gases or vapours.
If these conditions cannot be met, additional ventilation should
be applied to the space and re-testing should be conducted after a suitable
interval. Any gas testing should be carried out with ventilation to the
enclosed space stopped, in order to obtain accurate readings.
6.3 Where the preliminary assessment has determined that there is
potential for the presence of toxic gases and vapours, appropriate testing
should be carried out using fixed or portable gas- or vapour-detection
equipment. The readings obtained by this equipment should be below the
occupational exposure limits for the toxic gases or vapours given in accepted
national or international standards. It should be noted that testing for
flammability does not provide a suitable means of measuring for toxicity, nor
vice versa.
6.4 It should be emphasized that pockets of gas or
oxygen-deficient areas can exist, and should always be suspected, even when an
enclosed space has been satisfactorily tested as being suitable for entry.
7.1 The atmosphere should be tested frequently whilst the space is
occupied, and persons should be instructed to leave the space should there be a
deterioration in the conditions.
7.2 Ventilation should continue during the period that the space
is occupied and during temporary breaks. Before re-entry after a break, the
atmosphere should be re-tested. In the event of failure of the ventilation
system, any persons in the space should leave immediately.
7.3 In the event of an emergency, under no circumstances should
the attending crew member enter the space before help has arrived and the
situation has been evaluated to ensure the safety of those entering the space
to undertake rescue operations.
8. ADDITIONAL PRECAUTIONS FOR ENTRY
INTO A SPACE WHERE THE ATMOSPHERE IS KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO BE UNSAFE
8.1 If the atmosphere in an enclosed space is suspected or known
to be unsafe, the space should only be entered when no practical alternative
exists. Entry should only be made for further testing, essential operation,
safety of life or safety of a ship. The number of persons entering the space
should be the minimum compatible with the work to be performed.
8.2 Suitable breathing apparatus, e.g. of the air-line or
self-contained type, should always be worn, and only personnel trained in its
use should be allowed to enter the space. Air-purifying respirators should not
be used as they do not provide a supply of clean air from a source independent
of the atmosphere within the space.
8.3 The precautions specified in 5 should also be followed, as
appropriate.
8.4 Rescue harnesses should be worn and, unless impractical,
lifelines should be used.
8.5 Appropriate protective clothing should be worn particularly
where there is any risk of toxic substances or chemicals coming into contact
with the skin or eyes of those entering the space.
8.6 The advice in 7.3 concerning emergency rescue operations is
particularly relevant in this context.
9.
HAZARDS RELATED TO SPECIFIC TYPES OF CARGO
9.1 Dangerous goods in
packaged form
9.1.1 The atmosphere of any space containing dangerous goods may
put at risk the health or life of any person entering it. Dangers may include
flammable, toxic or corrosive gases or vapours that displace oxygen, residues
on packages and spilled material. The same hazards may be present in spaces
adjacent to the cargo spaces. Information on the hazards of specific substances
is contained in the IMDG Code, the Emergency Procedures for Ships Carrying
Dangerous Goods (EmS) and Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). If there is
evidence or suspicion that leakage of dangerous substances has occurred, the
precautions specified in 8 should be followed.
9.1.2 Personnel required to deal with spillages or to remove
defective or damaged packages should be appropriately trained and wear suitable
breathing apparatus and appropriate protective clothing.
The tanker industry has produced extensive advice to operators and
crews of ships engaged in the bulk carriage of oil, chemicals and liquefied
gases, in the form of specialist international safety guides. Information in
the guides on enclosed space entry amplifies these recommendations and should
be used as the basis for preparing entry plans.
On ships carrying solid bulk cargoes, dangerous atmospheres may
develop in cargo spaces and adjacent spaces. The dangers may include
flammability, toxicity, oxygen depletion or self-heating, which should be
identified in shipping documentation. For additional information, reference
should be made to the Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes.
9.4 Oxygen-depleting cargoes
and materials
A prominent risk with such cargoes is oxygen depletion due to the
inherent form of the cargo, for example, self-heating, oxidation of metals and
ores or decomposition of vegetable oils, animal fats, grain and other organic
materials or their residues. The materials listed below are known to be capable
of causing oxygen depletion. However, the list is not exhaustive. Oxygen
depletion may also be caused by other materials of vegetable or animal origin,
by flammable or spontaneously combustible materials, and by materials with a
high metal content:
.1 grain, grain products and
residues from grain processing (such as bran, crushed grain, crushed malt or
meal), hops, malt husks and spent malt;
.2 oilseeds as well as
products and residues from oilseeds (such as seed expellers, seed cake, oil cake
and meal);
.3 copra;
.4 wood in such forms as
packaged timber, roundwood, logs, pulpwood, props (pit props and other
propwood), woodchips, woodshavings, woodpulp pellets and sawdust;
.5 jute, hemp, flax, sisal,
kapok, cotton and other vegetable fibres (such as esparto grass/Spanish grass,
hay, straw, bhusa), empty bags, cotton waste, animal fibres, animal and
vegetable fabric, wool waste and rags;
.6 fishmeal and fishscrap;
.7 guano;
.8 sulphidic ores and ore
concentrates;
.9 charcoal, coal and coal
products;
.10 direct reduced iron
(DRI)
.11 dry ice;
.12 metal wastes and chips,
iron swarf, steel and other turnings, borings, drillings, shavings, filings and
cuttings; and
.13 scrap metal.
When a ship is fumigated, the detailed recommendations contained
in the Recommendations on the safe use of pesticides in ships* should be
followed. Spaces adjacent to fumigated spaces should be treated as if
fumigated.
_______________________________
* Refer to the
Recommendations on safe use of pesticides in ships, approved by the Maritime
Safety Committee of the Organization by circular MSC/Circ.612, as amended by
MSC/Circ.689 and MSC/Circ.746.
Failure to observe simple procedures can lead to people being
unexpectedly overcome when entering enclosed spaces. Observance of the
principles outlined above will form a reliable basis for assessing risks in
such spaces and for taking necessary precautions.