Ships commonly undergo tank cleaning at Dubai Maritime City Port. Those related to the handle are exceptionally well mindful of the dangers and deadly mishaps that have happened in the past. Despite all the fundamental security safeguards and enclosed space procedures, mishaps still occur while cleaning tanks on board ships.
Importance of Safety Procedures on Ships
A few months ago, a chief officer kicked the bucket on board a chemical tanker after he entered a cargo tank that contained hydrocarbon vapour and was insufficient in oxygen. When the transport cruised at night after unloading the cargo, nitrogen gas still filled the two tanks that had contained hexene-1. The team scheduled the tanks to be stacked at another harbour within two days. The team began day-and-night tank cleaning operations shortly after the cruise. The chief mate was a non-watchkeeper, so he was able to coordinate the tank cleaning group persistently.
One morning, during post-cleaning ventilation, the chief mate planned to conduct a pre-loading review of the purge tanks. He was then informed that a ‘petrol-like’ odor was still coming from the 5P tank. He had filled out the enclosed space entry checklists for the tanks he planned to enter that morning. However, no enclosed space entry checklist was completed for the 5P tank.
Fatal Incident During Tank Cleaning
Later that morning, the ace received an email from the ship’s specialist requesting pre-arrival data. He was unable to locate the chief mate. In the long run, his dead body was found at the foot of the 5P tank. Thereafter, a protection group carried out tank section checks. It was famous that the oxygen content of the environment inside the tank changed between 12 percent and 16 percent. Continuous revival efforts were made until a helicopter arrived with a shore-based medical team. Shortly after, they announced that the chief mate had died. The following day, the vessel arrived at her goal, and the chief’s body was landed.
Unfortunate mischances like those above are still common on ships, mainly due to the sheer carelessness of team members. It is the duty of the vessel’s captain or officer in charge to carry out tank cleaning procedures safely and in accordance with the company’s safety management manual and other available safety regulations. Each individual on board is responsible for ensuring the safety of their team.
Preparatory Measures for Safe Man-Entry: Ventilation and Atmosphere Testing
Ventilate the tank using careful ventilation or the constrained ventilation strategy, and make the tank appropriate for man-entry.
The crew should evacuate the liquid in the tank as thoroughly as possible and then completely strip it after entry.
Before sending a person into the tank, the environment should be tested for oxygen levels. It should also be checked for the presence of any toxic gases. This must be done using remote methods, if possible. Otherwise, the person entering the tank to test the environment must wear a breathing apparatus.
Ensuring Safety and Efficiency: Tank Inspection and Work Plan Creation
The crew tests various levels and compartments of the tank for oxygen levels and the presence of poisonous gases. A trained and knowledgeable person uses a multi-gas analyzer to carry out the inspection.
Once the crew deems the tank safe for man-entry, they lay out a detailed plan for the work, including its duration, the personnel entering the tank for cleaning, and the individuals in charge. This will offer assistance in completing the given work securely and without any undesirable delay.
Mentioned underneath are eleven focuses that must be taken into account while carrying out tank cleaning on ships.
Never enter without individual defensive gear
An individual entering the tank ought to continuously wear legitimate individual defensive hardware while entering enclosed spaces. Entering a limited space like a counterweight tank or fuel tank will be a challenging errand with all PPE worn, particularly with protective caps on, but that shouldn’t be a pardon for not wearing PPE. However, workers should not ignore essential safety procedures, even if the workplace appears comfortable and safe.
Take all hardware and devices required
Take all essential gear and devices required for work, such as clothes, buckets, scoops, water, etc. The number of individuals entering the tank ought to be negligible for speedy protection operations in case of a crisis. An individual ought to be promptly accessible at the opening to pass the instruments required or to collect the squander, etc. Since the time for enclosed space entry is limited, gather all necessary tools before entering to avoid wasting time. Wrap up the work and get out as soon as possible.
Enlighten the tank appropriately
The tank where the work is beneath advance ought to be well enlightened. For this, flame-proof lights must be utilised. Care must be taken that the wire utilised for association is broken and does not have free associations. The lights utilised ought to have a snare or other arrangement joined to secure them in the right place during work. Do not use any kind of light that can become a source of fire.
Communicate regularly
Whereas cleaning, the individual exterior of the tank ought to make beyond any doubt that individuals working inside the tank are secure and sound. This is done through visit communication, either by voice or through VHF if given, particularly when working inside the tanks where the nearness of poisonous gases is absolute.
Take breaks
Do not work inside the tank persistently. Take breaks at normal intervals. This might slow down the cleaning handle, but nonstop work can be accomplished by pivoting the individuals included. When an individual comes out of the tank to take a break, another individual can go in to continue the work. Since cleaning doesn’t require much expertise, like welding or any other work, it can be legitimately shared between team members.
Guarantee Breathing Discuss Is Provided Without Prevention
If workers use a breathing apparatus with a continuous air supply from air bottles in the engine room, they must inform the watch about the time and location of the work. After entering the tank, they should carefully check the hoses for any damage or leakage. Close the facemask. An individual ought to make it beyond any doubt that the discussion is provided without any prevention. Too, charged oxygen barrels ought to be kept outside the tank for crises or reuse.
Show Notices on Valves and Pumps
Place safety notices near the valves and pumps connected to the tank where work is being performed to prevent accidental operation. Display ECR and CCR information on whiteboards. Record upcoming tank cleaning operations on the board to keep everyone informed.
Handle chemicals with additional care.
Take additional precautions whenever the cleaning involves the use of chemicals. Handle the chemicals according to the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). Keep a first-aid kit and medications ready for immediate use. Team members must know which chemicals to use for different tank cleanings. For example, cleaning a fuel tank requires a more experienced cleaning operator, while cleaning the bilge tank in the engine room uses OWS-friendly chemicals.
Tanks need diverse cleaning actions and operations.
A dispatch is important as tanks hold different sorts of fluid and thus need several cleanings. Cleaning a fuel oil tank will require more labour and distinctive security and safety measures, including closing off steam in the warming coils. So also, cleaning a new water tank requires a completely distinctive approach, with a minimum team for cleaning the F.W. tank; for example, the team going inside the tank ought to not have any skin disease or malady and ought to not wear standard footwear when entering the tank.
Halt Work If It Surpasses Time Restrain
The work ought to be halted if it exceeds the time restriction stated on the work permit. Work has to begin once more, as it were, after issuing a modern permit to work. Even though the tank is continuously ventilated, personnel should still randomly check the space for oxygen levels and the presence of any harmful gases. If the individual interior of the tank feels awkward, advise the individual exterior and exit the tank without delay. All vital means for protecting operations ought to be kept ready.
Clear the range without losing anything.
Once the work is completed, remove all the tools, lights, and clothing used. Expel all squander and any water collected as far as practicable. Clothes cleared out behind them can choke the pipe lines and lead to another delayed and time-consuming process.
The officer in charge of tank cleaning procedures must conduct a proper risk assessment, considering the threats to life and property, and record it.
All people entering the ship tank cleaning at Dubai Maritime City Port ought to be briefed on the dangers included, which implies protective strategies, the use and wearing of breathing devices, etc.
Do not enter the tank without filling it out and marking the allow-to-work. Personnel should not treat work permits as mere paperwork to be filed. Workers must follow all the precautions and safety measures specified on them to perform the work safely.
If any mishap or hazard occurs or is likely to occur, personnel must fill out an incident report and a near-miss form. These forms provide details about the nature of the hazard for future reference, help minimize the risk, and guide the implementation of safety and security measures. Meanwhile, if you approach the professionals at Sharjah Marine for ship tank cleaning at Dubai Maritime City Port.
