Alert 09 – 08 Confined Space Activity Results in Loss of Consciousness Incident
WHAT HAPPENED:
Vessel maintenance was being conducted on an accommodation barge. Preparation was being made to enter a tank at the base of a column to undertake quarterly planned maintenance of the leakage detection system. The injured party (IP) removed a manhole cover to gain vertical access into tank at the base of the column. Within one minute of removing the manhole cover the gas detector alarm sounded and the IP lost consciousness on the floor of column next to the open tank hatch. Although the IP fully recovered with no residual ill health effects, the incident was rated High Potential Incident, Medical Treatment Case, Lost Time.