Source: International Marine Contractors Association – IMCA
Headline: Enclosed Space Fatalities – A united industry response
In its previous three meetings, the cross-industry working group’s review of prior enclosed space incidents identified operational, commercial, technical and training related issues as recurring contributing factors. This review also included an analysis of incidents to understand the relationship between vessel type, incident location onboard, and the rank or role of those who died.
Fatalities due to asphyxiation and/or poisoning in the shipping industry continue, despite the existence of numerous rules, regulations, and best practice guidelines on how to avoid such deaths.
The working group agreed that the maritime industry does not need new procedures relating to enclosed space entries. Based on preliminary human factor analysis, it has identified the contribution of ‘performance influencing factors’ (factors that make errors more or less likely) to many of the enclosed space entry incidents.
The working group is committed to deepening its understanding and sharing its learnings with the wider industry, with the intention of helping organisations identify and improve these factors to prevent incidents from happening.
To support this, the group has set up a confidential survey to receive feedback and case studies from mariners and seafarers, which can be accessed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/enclosed_space.
Examples of enclosed space incidents can also be submitted by email to enclosedspaceaccidents@intermanager.org. Please include the approximate date, the ship’s name, and a brief description of the accident. Information gathered will be kept strictly confidential.