Bulk Distributor May/Jun 19

B ULK D ISTRIBUTOR Safety May/June 2019 Conﬁ ned spaces can be killers Mike Yarwood from international freight transport insurer, TT Club looks at the very real dangers of working in the conﬁ ned spaces inherent in cargo transport C onﬁ ned spaces present risks throughout the global supply chain, ranging from ship holds and passageways through to silos and all types of enclosed cargo transport units (CTU’s). There are estimated to be around 15 conﬁ ned space fatalities each year in the UK alone, with 60 percent of conﬁ ned space related deaths involving people attempting to rescue colleagues who are already trapped or injured. Conﬁ ned spaces present real risks in our industry and should demand your attention when managing risk. Awareness training and robust procedures in this context will prevent serious injuries and save lives. A conﬁ ned space is a place which has limited openings for entry and egress, inadequate ventilation and is not designed for continuous worker occupation, and where serious injury may occur from hazardous substances or conditions (generally resulting from asphyxia). Tank CTU’s used to transport bulk cargoes globally, including road tank trailers, tank railcars and ISO tank containers present prime examples of a conﬁ ned space risk in the supply chain. The air we usually breathe contains 79 percent nitrogen and 21 percent oxygen. Once the oxygen content of the air decreases or increases the associated risks change. Oxygen enriched atmospheres give rise to an increased risk of ﬁ re and explosion. Where reduced oxygen content is concerned, judgement becomes impaired and ultimately life can no longer be supported, even if the remaining content of the atmosphere is harmless. Clearly, there is also risk that the atmosphere contains toxic or ﬂ ammable gas concentrations. Lack of oxygen is a silent killer; there are no obvious warning signs such as coughing or feeling breathless. Where the oxygen levels are sufﬁ ciently depleted the ﬁ rst sign is often that the individual becomes unconscious. This can happen so quickly that there may be no opportunity to raise an alert. Where there are pockets of atmosphere lacking sufﬁ cient oxygen breathed, an individual will start to feel very weak and confused; unable to undertake the simplest of tasks such as reaching the exit of the conﬁ ned space. If not rescued quickly they will likely fall into unconsciousness. Rescue operations are therefore time critical. Where it is essential that a worker enters a tank CTU, atmosphere testing in advance is necessary, but critically oxygen levels should be adequately monitored throughout the required activity. Even where the tank is certiﬁ ed to be clean and the atmosphere adequate to support life, undertaking any work within the tank, whether it be cleaning, polishing or grinding, gives rise to the possibility of changes to the atmospheric content of the conﬁ ned space. The key issue is whether the atmosphere is suitable to sustain life. Initial and monitoring testing of the atmosphere inside the tank should be undertaken by a competent person using appropriate calibrated instruments to ascertain acceptable levels of oxygen and acceptable levels of toxic and ﬂ ammable vapours. A competent ‘watcher’ should be physically present throughout the work, providing an immediate response in case of emergency. The ‘watcher’ should monitor each stage of the work undertaken to ensure compliance with the deﬁ ned safe system of work. Annex 8 of the ILO, IMO and UNECE Code of Practice for Packing of Cargo Transport Units (CTU Code) focuses on the risk assessment process covering items such as competence, working at height and emergency preparedness. A risk assessment should consider as a minimum the following elements: • The task • The working environment • Working materials and tools • The competence of those undertaking the work • Arrangements for emergency response/rescue Access should only be allowed under a safe system (permit) of work and the supervision of a responsible person. A permit to work assists in ensuring that a formal check is undertaken, conﬁ rming that all elements of the safe system of work are in place ahead of a worker being allowed to enter the conﬁ ned space. Such a system should provide clear identiﬁ cation of the person(s) who may authorise entry into the conﬁ ned space and those who hold responsibility for specifying the necessary precautions. It should also include training and instruction in the issue of permits, training and instruction for conﬁ ned space working and monitoring and auditing to make sure that the system works as intended. Additional training, instruction and signage should be considered. Are the workers aware of what is considered to be a conﬁ ned space and are they sufﬁ ciently trained to recognise such spaces? Do they have experience of undertaking this type of work? Are the workers physically capable of entering into and egressing from the tank container? Consideration may also need to be given where the person may suffer from claustrophobia or their ﬁ tness to wear and operate breathing gear. It is vital to develop an established method of communication between those workers inside the conﬁ ned space and those outside The key issue is whether the atmosphere is suitable to sustain life it. This serves as the ﬁ rst step in emergency response. Develop and communicate an emergency rescue plan. Regular drills should be undertaken to ensure effectiveness of the plan and familiarity of the workforce with procedures. The arrangements of the emergency rescue plan should be sufﬁ ciently communicated to the entire workforce who may ultimately need to rely on it. Where things go wrong, the worker in the conﬁ ned space is likely to be exposed to serious and immediate danger. It is essential to have effective and quick arrangements to raise the alarm and trigger rescue procedures. The watcher should never enter the conﬁ ned space before securing assistance and taking additional precautions. Consideration in this regard should be given to the equipment available and the capabilities of the nominated rescuers. www.ttclub.com DIVERSE MODERN TANK FLEET GLOBAL SUPPORT NETWORK Over 50 years of Global Tank Container leasing experience and industry knowledge • @ chudqrhﬁdc q`mfd ne S00,S4/ S `mj S xodr • B`o`bhshdr q`mfhmf eqnl 01+///,24+/// khsq dr • Rths`akd enq sgd rgholdms `mc rsnq`fd ne9 F`rdr+ Atkj Khpthcr 'g`y`q cntr nq mnm,g`y`q cntr( `mc Atkj Onvcdq oq nctbsr • Fkna`k mdsvnqj ne rodbh`khrdc cdonsr • Sdbgmhb`k dwodqshrd sn nuhcd oq hm,rdquhbd rnktshnmr • Ekdwhakd kd`rhmf rnktshnmr `mc dptholdms r`kdr an company 3 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, VISIT SEACOGLOBAL.COM AND CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL TANK SPECIALISTS

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