The learning objective of this chapter is to review maintenance routines
associated with working and emergency equipment to be used in enclosed and
confined spaces
responsible companies operate comprehensive maintenance routines any
equipment associated with a hazardous or potentially hazardous operation must be
in good order and condition all breathing apparatus rescue harnesses
lifelines resuscitation equipment and any other equipment provided for use in
or in connection with entry into dangerous spaces or for use in
emergencies should be properly maintained inspected periodically and
checked for correct operation by a competent person any repair or
maintenance must be carried out strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's
instructions a record of the inspections and checks should be kept click on the
equipment for more information compressors used in air delivery or
cylinder charging should be subject to company and manufacturer's recommended
maintenance routines and periodic overhaul air bottles must be recharged
as soon as possible after use they must not be in a damaged or corroded
condition and should be tested hydraulically in accordance with
applicable legislative requirements breathing apparatus should be stowed
fully assembled in a place where it is readily accessible air bottles should be
fully charged and the adjusting straps kept slack for easy and quick donning
when required all items of breathing apparatus should be inspected for
correct operation before and after use mask should be cleaned and disinfected
before returning the equipment to the storage rack
equipment for testing the atmosphere of dangerous spaces including oxygen
analyzers flammable gas detectors and toxic gas detection equipment should be
kept in full working order and where applicable regularly serviced and
calibrated due regard should be paid to manufacturers recommendations and copies
of handbooks and other manuals should always be available for reference
any deficiencies noted should be addressed at the earliest opportunity if
the vessel has the resources and personnel with the necessary knowledge
and training then repairs can often be carried out on board however with some
equipment it may be that it is necessary to have it repaired and recalibrated
ashore at an authorized service Depot consideration should be given to
securing temporary replacements if equipment is sent to shore in order that
the necessary minimum complement is maintained if this is not possible then
any operations that would require its use should be suspended or rescheduled
to ensure safety continues to be observed full records should be kept of
any repairs including where applicable reports from service depots are sure if
repairs are carried out on board the equipment should be fully tested prior
to declaring it again available for use all personnel should be encouraged to
routinely examine working and safety equipment and to report any deficiencies
to the safety officer or responsible officer
this example involves a general cargo vessel with a conventional forepeak tank
and collision bulkhead a sluice gate valve is mounted inside the forepeak
tank with a transmission to the fo'c'sle deck due to a misalignment in the
transmission rods to the deck this arrangement failed and the coupling
broke off making it impossible to empty the tank in the normal way it was
decided to contract a shore side firm with suitable equipment at the next port
of call to empty the forepeak tank and carry out the necessary repairs this
happened to be in a tropical area with high humidity a portable air driven deep
well pump was to be lowered into the forepeak tank through the manhole the
pump was to be driven by an air compressor itself driven by a separate
diesel generator located on the key side adjacent to the fo'c'sle setup intended
by the contractor
when the tank was partially emptied the pump had to be relocated lower down in
the tank being maneuvered past one of the internal stringer plates one of the
fitters entered the tank believing that fresh air was being drawn in from
outside as the tank was D ballasted shortly after entering the forepeak and
descending to the stringer plate he was seen to sit down then slumped forward
with his back to the bulkhead and adjacent to the ladder the alarm was
raised and a rescue party assembled the compressor was stopped and D ballasting
halted as the temperature and humidity at the time of the incident were both
extremely high and the fitter was somewhat elderly the rescue team
initially suspected that the man had simply attempted too much the chief
officer therefore entered the tank without a breathing apparatus to assist
the fitter he reached the man and fitted him into a safety harness that had been
lowered from above as the team outside began to pull he guided the
semi-conscious fitter through the manhole
as he exited himself however he was conscious of a nausea sensation and
severe headache such that he too required assistance both men were taken
to hospital but returned to the ship later in the day
subsequent investigation and analysis revealed that both sludge and rust in
the forepeak were minimal however it was noted that the compressor and generator
had been arranged facing each other on a flatbed trailer parked in the Lee of the
fo'c'sle there was no wind and in effect the intake of the compressor was
directly in line with the exhaust outlet of the diesel generator with each stroke
of the pump inside the forepeak contaminated air was being added to the
atmosphere no meter readings were taken either prior to or following the entry
so the theory remains unproven but is considered to be the most likely cause
of the problem either way both men were lucky to escape
from what was undoubtedly a hazardous atmosphere