The learning objectives of this chapter are to list the general precautions to
be taken before entering potentially dangerous enclosed or confined spaces to
recognize that the additional requirement for use of breathing
apparatus may apply and to understand the need for a controlled approach to
rescue from a dangerous enclosed or confined space
the following precaution should be taken as applicable before a potentially
dangerous space is entered so as to make the space safe for entry without the
need to use breathing apparatus and to ensure it remains safe whilst persons
are within the space take on the precautions for more information
a competent person should make an assessment of the space
a responsible officer should be appointed to take charge of the
operation
the potential hazards should be identified
the space should be prepared and secured for entry
the atmosphere of the space should be tested
the required safety management system permit to work should be issued
the appropriate safety and operational procedures should be initiated prior to
anyone entering the space and followed throughout while personnel are in the
space
proper assessment has revealed that the atmosphere in an enclosed or confined
space is or could be unsafe alternatives to entry should be considered or steps
taken to render the atmosphere safe if immediate entry is considered
unavoidable or the atmosphere cannot be effectively purified then personnel
assigned to enter the space should use breathing apparatus and the appropriate
additional precautions should be followed the rapid rescue of personnel
who have collapsed inside a dangerous enclosed or confined space is vital
yet presents a new set of risks to the potential rescuers sadly many people
have died because they have gone into a dangerous enclosed or confined space to
rescue others already inside natural human instinct has led them to enter out
of concern for those inside and in the blind belief that they will be able to
avoid the hazards that they have just seen affects their colleagues no one
should enter a dangerous enclosed or confined space to attempt to rescue
without first taking suitable precautions for their own safety not
doing so will only add to the problem increasing the number of casualties
inside that space and almost certainly leading to the original casualty not
being brought out alive
on the 22nd of July 1991 the Netherlands flag livestock vessel zebu Express was
lying at anchor in Darwin Harbour the master and second officer had gone
ashore and the chief officer was in temporary charge as work started in the
morning the chief engineer and second engineer began working in the bow
thruster compartment cleaning the electrical motor there had been a small
water leak and the motor had got wet early in the afternoon the chief
engineer observed the second engineer to be in physical difficulty in the lower
part of the compartment he climbed out onto the deck raised the alarm and then
returned inside to assist the second engineer descending to the lower
compartment without a breathing apparatus both the chief engineer and
the second engineer collapsed in the lower part of the bow thruster
compartment attempt to rescue the two men were made by the assistant engineer
wearing a self-contained compressed air breathing apparatus and supported by
other members of the crew on deck but he was unable to effect a rescue
the bodies of the chief engineer and second engineer were eventually
recovered from the bow thruster compartment by members of the Darwin
Fire Service a surveyor of the Australian Maritime
Safety Authority conducted an investigation into the incident under
the provisions of the navigation Act the death of the two engineers resulted from
their failure to follow the well-publicized safety procedures for
safe entry into and rescue from enclosed spaces the second engineer died of
asphyxia being overcome by accumulated toxic
vapors from the electrical cleaner being used in a confined enclosed space
without adequate ventilation the chief engineer likewise died from asphyxia
from the vapors but this would not have happened if he had recognised the
hazards and donned the breathing apparatus
member