COSWP Entry In Enclosed Space

Question 1

What is considered an enclosed space?

Answer 1

• A space that has limited openings for entry and exit. - Has inadequate ventilation. - Is not designed for continuous worker occupation

Question 2

What is the definition of a “Dangerous Space”

Answer 2

Any enclosed or confined space where it is foreseeable that the atmosphere it contains may contain some toxic or flammable gases or vapors. Or be deficient in oxygen which may endanger any person’s health of life that would enter that space.

Question 3

What should be the approach towards Entering an enclosed space?

Answer 3

First there should be a Risk Assessment and if it is render an acceptable and manageable risk to take then a Permit To Work should be opened.

Question 4

Where can i find the procedures to be followed for the entry in enclosed space? Give some examples of them.

Answer 4

It should be part of the Safety Management System. System of work, Permit to work and emergency procedures.

Question 5

Give some examples of so called confined spaces.

Answer 5

-Cargo spaces -Boilers -Double Bottoms -Engine cranckases -Fuel tanks -CO2 Rooms -Ballast Tanks -Battery lockers -Cofferdams -Sewage tanks -VOID spaces -Chain lockers

Question 6

For safety measures to unattended enclosed ( Dangerous ) space what should be done at the entrance of those spaces?

Answer 6

• Should be locked or secured against entry.

Question 7

For safety measures what should be done/found at the entrance of (Dangerous) enclosed spaces. - When work is being done? -When the space is not worked in?

Answer 7

-When work is being done an attendant should be posted or a barrier and warning sign should be put in place. -As far as practically possible work should be done avoiding as much as possible people to enter the space.

Question 8

As crew should be given onboard training and familiarisation with the risk of entry into dangerous spaces, what should the training include as a minimum.

Answer 8

-The identification of the hasards that are likely to be faced during the entry in enclosed space. -Knowledge of the procedure for assessment of the space -Knowledge of the procedure for safe entry. -Recognition of the signs for adverse health caused by exposure to hazards during entry.

Question 9

What is considered as a “ Competent Person “?

Answer 9

A person with sufficient theoretical knowledge and practical experience to make assessment of the possible dangers of the space, including taking measures of the atmosphere.

Question 10

What is an “Authorised Officer”?

Answer 10

It is a person that is authorized to permit entry in enclosed space and with sufficient knowledge of control and elimination of hazards. Person used to the procedure established and complied onboard.

Question 11

What are the conditions the Officer will need to consider using the risk assessment to judge of an opening of a permit to work for a Dangerous Space?

Answer 11

• That there is a minimal risk of health for the person entering the space then or at any given time. -That there is no immediate risk of health to the person entering the space but a risk could arise during the time of the work. - The risk to health or life is immediate.

Question 12

What should be expected to be done if competent companies can be reached to do the job?

Answer 12

Then no crew member should be entering a Dangerous Space or suspected Dangerous Space.

Question 13

What are the precautions to be taken before an entry in Dangerous Space.

Answer 13

• A competent person to make an assessment of the space and au Authorized officer to take charge of the operation. - Identification of the potential hazards. - Space should be prepared, vented and secured before entry. -The atmosphere in the space should be tested. - A permit to work system should be used. - Procedure of preparation and entry should be agreed. - Emergency procedure should be in place.

Question 14

Any person entering a dangerous space should wear a personal atmosphere tester, what type of gases do have to be monitored?

Answer 14

• Oxygen deficiency - Carbon monoxide - Toxic Gases - Explosives atmospheres

Question 15

Give some example of presence or lack of gases that may make a space dangerous.

Answer 15

Oxygen deficiency due to : -Rusting, -Oxygen absorbing chemicals -Oxygen absorbing cargoes, -Cathodical protection in ballast tanks. -Displaced O2 due to Carbon dioxide or fire extinguishing gases. Oxygen enrich atmosphere -Due to leaking/poorly maintained hoses, pipes, valves. -Leaks from poor connections -Opening of valves deliberately or accidently. -Excess use of oxygen while welding, cutting. -Insufficient vewnting of the area while using oxygen..

Question 16

Why is Oxygen enriched atmosphere dangerous?

Answer 16

Being odourless, colorless but helping combustion it could be quickly ignited or even self combust.

Question 17

Where would hydrocarbon gases typically be found?

Answer 17

Pump rooms, cofferdams, duct keels.

Question 18

What is very toxic some bunker oil or oil cargo?

Answer 18

Benzene or hydrogen sulfide.

Question 19

Hydrogen sulfide is very toxic, where could it be encountered

Answer 19

Vegetable or animal oils and sewage when in contact with sea water.

Question 20

What other way can the body be intoxicated from?

Answer 20

It is important to consider that toxicity may be reaching the body through skin penetration

Question 21

What are the primary precautions to be taken at the opening of the suspected dangerous space?

Answer 21

-While opening, important to make sure that the the is no release of pressurise or not toxic gases. -When opened the space should be thoroughly ventilated away from the area to avoid contamination and then TESTED. -Inform the watch Officer of the situation.

Question 22

What should be done to secure the tank.

Answer 22

Isolate, blanking any pipe that is linked to the tank following the risk assessment and on-board procedure.

Question 23

Can compressed oxygen be used to vent the tank

Answer 23

No, we want to avoid oxygen enriched atmosphere.

Question 24

From 2016 ship are required to caary atmosphere testing equipment, what gases should they test for?

Answer 24

Oxygen, Cartbon Monoxyde, Toxic gases ( Hydrogen Sulfide ) and explosive gases and calibration should be rigorously respected according to manufacturer.

Question 25

Is a personal gas monitoring device acceptable to test a suspected dangerous space?

Answer 25

No those testing device are only for personal use to provide a warning against dangerous situations while int the tank.

Question 26

What is the normal level of Oxygen in the atmosphere?

Answer 26

20.8 % and any else should be inspected, a level of 20 is viable but it could mean the presence of another gas.

Question 27

What should the flamable gas detector show to be acceptable?

Answer 27

Nil but, a steady percentage at 1 % below lowest flammable liquid is acceptable in conjuction with a steady state of 20 % of Oxygen.

Question 28

What control systems are to be respected before the entry into dangerous spaces?

Answer 28

Entry should be planned in advance and always with the opening of a permit to work.

Question 29

What is an alternative to the permit to work?

Answer 29

In the event of a well established safe system of work exists and that the risk remains low, a CHECKLIST might be used as long as the permit to work approach is respected.

Question 30

What approach should be given to an entry in Dangerous space?

Answer 30

-No person to enter the space authorized by an officer. -Only the minimum require amount of personnel to enter the space. -Personnel entering should be wearing appropriate PPE. -All equipment used should be in good working condition and inspected before use.

Question 31

Safety precautions before entry are in a dangerous space?

Answer 31

• The space and its are should be adequately illuminated. - No source of ignition should be present unless assessed and authorized. - An agreed and teste mean of communication. - A rescue plan should be put in place, with resuscitation and rescue equipment present on site. This include : - Appropriate breathing apparatus with a fully charged spare cylindre, 2 airlines were possible not in the way op possible damage. - Lifelines and rescue harnesses - Ex ( Intrinsically Safe) torche and lamps. - A means of hoisting a person if relevant.

Question 32

What should the consideration be if it is assessed that the entry with breathing apparatus and rescue harness/equipment is deemed dangerous or too restrictive.

Answer 32

The entry should be reconsidered and prohibited if needed. This to avoid amount of casualties.

Question 33

Should there be someone at the entrance of the dangerous space?

Answer 33

Yes as long as the space is occupied there should be a competent person with appropriate equipment as an attendant

Question 34

What are the procedures and arrangement during entry and occupation in a dangerous space?

Answer 34

• The space should continuously be ventilated if ventilation failed/stopped then people should leave the space. -Periodic test of the atmosphere should occur, if there are changes or if a personal device should alarm the all people must leave. -If unforeseen difficulties arrise then space should be left and situation reassessed. - If any personnel feel adversely affected in any way, he should leave the space. - If an emergency occurs, the general alarm ( 7 short/1 long) should be sounded so back up can be signaled, in no way does the attendant go in the space. - If air is being supplied by an airline, monitoring of the air supply should be constant and correct pressure.

Question 35

What is the procedure on completion of the work being done in the Dangerous Space?

Answer 35

• The permit to work should be closed or expired, entrance should be closed or secured against entry or deemed safe for entry.

Question 36

What are the personal checks that the person that enters should go through?

Answer 36

• Make sure that the air is clean and at the correct pressure -That the low pressure alarm works correctly. -That the mask fits correctly. - The wearer should know if yes or no his breathing apparatus/ line can be shared. - That the appropriate clothing is worn.

Question 37

What and how should the equipment be maintained?

Answer 37

All equipment in direct or linked use should be maintained and inspected periodically through a planned maintenance system thus a record is to be maintained and the breathing apparatus is to be checked before and after every use.

Question 38

At what interval should all SOLAS ships do drills for rescue from enclosed space?

Answer 38

Every two months

Question 39

What are the minimum points to approach for the drill of rescue in enclosed space?

Answer 39

• Check and use of Personal protective equipment required for entry. - Checking and use of communication means and procedures. - Checking and use of instruments for measuring the atmosphere in the enclosed space. - Testing and use of the rescue equipment - Instructions in first aid an resuscitation techniques.

Question 40

What is the primary requirement in the procedure towards the rescue of a person in a dangerous/enclose space?

Answer 40

Your own personal safety, this means that no entrance before safety measures are in place.

Question 41

Would an EEBD ( Emergency Escape Breathing Device ) be suitable for rescue?

Answer 41

No, the device is only for the escape of spaces.

Question 42

If the breathing tank is blocking the passage to the entry of the space what option do you have?

Answer 42

It is accepted to remove your bottle harness to enter the tank and great care should be taken not to dislodge the face mask as it has to remain on the person’s face at all times

Question 43

Once the casualty is reached what is the first check to do?

Answer 43

Check for his air supply.

Question 44

Draw the step by step approach towards an entry in Dangerous/Enclosed Space.

Answer 44