Enclosed Spaces
- Enclosed spaces are areas that, due to their construction, often present several dangers to the crew.
- Some of these spaces can include:
- Sealed tanks (fuel tank, water tank, gray water tank, boilers, etc)
- Certain storage areas on a ship
- Void spaces (often found between sealed tanks and nearby superstructure)
- Cargo areas with limited access
- These areas are typically poorly ventilated and can therefore present various breathing hazards to crewmembers due to:
- A lack of oxygen
- Trapped toxic fumes / gasses
- If an enclosed space contains toxic fumes / gasses, this can also create a flammability hazard that people should be mindful of during it’s ventilation.
- In addition, enclosed spaces can also be dangerous for the following reasons:
- They are often poorly lit
- They often have limited access points
- They can be difficult to maneuver inside and can lead to crew losing their footing
- Crewmembers must be trained in using gas monitors applicable for the enclosed space they’re intending to enter. These gas monitors can test for oxygen, toxic vapors, flammable vapors, carbon monoxide, and other gasses.
- Before entering an enclosed space, the crewmember needs to:
- Have permission from their supervisor or OOW
- Be properly trained and using proper equipment
- Have a second crewmember with you
- Follow the ship’s enclosed space safety procedures
- Note that only crew that are trained in enclosed spaces should attempt a rescue inside an enclosed space. Without proper training and attentiveness to proper gas monitoring, a rescuer could succumb to the same problem.