ENSURING SAFETY IN ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY: A RIGHTSHIP PERSPECTIVE

Enclosed spaces on board vessels can pose significant risks to the safety and health of seafarers. 

INTRODUCTION:

In this blog, we will delve into the enclosed space entry requirements as per RISQ 3.0, emphasising the importance of training, risk assessment, and safety protocols.

IDENTIFYING ENCLOSED SPACES:

What is an enclosed space, and what are its characteristics?

An enclosed space is a space that is not used for day-to-day activity and which has any of the following characteristics:

1. Limited opening for entry and exit

2. Inadequate ventilation

3. Is not designed for continuous worker occupancy

The first and most important step in ensuring safety during enclosed space entry is to identify the spaces that present a risk of oxygen-deficient, oxygen-enriched, flammable, and/or toxic atmospheres. Areas with inadequate ventilation can develop harmful atmospheres under certain conditions. Proper identification and listing of these ship-specific spaces is crucial for implementing appropriate control measures. To avoid any doubt in the minds of Seafarers, all enclosed spaces should be marked. Very often, this is missed in the machinery spaces.

ENCLOSED SPACES VS CONFINED SPACES

Sometimes there’s confusion in the minds of Seafarers between Enclosed, Confined and Restricted spaces. As per Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA] there is a difference in the terms Confined Space’ and Enclosed Space’. But for the marine industry, the term Enclosed Space’ has been elected for use by IMO. The IMO’s Resolution A.1050 27) defines Enclosed spaces’ as those with limited openings for entry and exit, unfavourable natural ventilation and not designed for continuous worker occupancy”.

TRAINING AND AWARENESS: