Safety Alert: Fatality of three stevedores in enclosed space on board a bulk vessel

• No.8 access space had an oxygen depleted atmosphere that could not sustain human life – Oxygen 0.9 % vol, CO 2147 ppm

• the stevedores had not been trained on safe cargo work on bulk carriers or dangers of enclosed spaces
• atmosphere testing of cargo spaces was not routinely carried out before stevedores entered compartments
• stevedores were not adequately supervised on board
• access ways to cargo spaces were not locked closed when not in use
• stevedores were unable to understand safety labels and warnings and cargo space identification
• agreed Ship-Shore Safety Checklist had limited validity after the commencement of cargo operations
• the terminal had not trained the stevedores in line with international guidelines on safe cargo work on board bulk carriers
• an industry-led initiative that requires bulk terminals to implement safety training and management systems could improve stevedore safety on board vessels

“It is evident that there was ineffective supervision of the stevedores working on board … and their safety was not managed.”

Actions Taken since the event:

• reviewed procedures for entry into cargo hold spaces
• undertaken to fit physical barriers to prevent unauthorised cargo hold access on all its bulk carriers
• revised its Ship-Shore Safety Checklist

Recommendations:

• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency to review and revise the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers to ensure enclosed space emergency drill scenarios include the possible presence of shoreside staff or third parties
• port operators to follow IMSBC Code, BLU Code and BLU Manual guidelines – to provide stevedores with training and PPE to enable them to work safely on board bulk carriers
• vessel operator to maintain clear and precise guidance for masters and ships’ crews on cargo operations and ensure that specific duties for shore personnel are considered and the control of access is robustly applied
• InterCargo, InterManager and RightShip to develop a minimum operational safety standard for stevedores conducting cargo operations on board their members’ vessels to include and encourage their members to introduce the minimum operational safety standard for stevedores.

Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents, Andrew Moll OBE, said:

• in this accident, it is evident that the stevedores did not have sufficient understanding of the hazards posed by coal cargoes nor had they received training about the dangers associated with entering enclosed spaces.
• the crew were well-trained in enclosed space emergency response however, drill scenarios did not involve potential presence of shore workers. Whilst rushing to collect rescue equipment they left the enclosed space entry point unguarded which tragically led to the second and third stevedores dying in a well-intentioned but misguided attempt to rescue their colleague.

“…statistics showed that stevedore deaths such as [this] accident were not rare events and accounted for more than a quarter of all enclosed space deaths on board bulk carriers.”