Note: Confined space entry is one of the leading
hazards associated with barge cleaning. Review the
Shipbuilding: Confined/Enclosed Spaces and Other Dangerous Atmospheres
chapter for information on how to protect workers from this hazard.
Also, this module, outlining the requirements for
Hot Work in Enclosed Spaces, should be reviewed before reviewing the
modules regarding hot work requirements for
Confined
Spaces and
Other Locations.
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Inspection and Tests to Maintain Safe
Conditions
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Potential Hazards:
When the work space is initially inspected by a Certified Marine
Chemist or a Shipyard Competent Person, conditions may change during
work. The Shipyard Competent Person must inspect the hot work area as often as
necessary. If the Shipyard Competent Person discovers a change that could adversely alter
safe conditions (such as a missing
fire watch,
ventilation failure, piping system leak, or hazardous materials spill),
work must be stopped. Work may not be resumed until the affected space is
visually inspected and re-evaluated (by a Certified Marine Chemist, if a marine
chemist certificate was issued) to meet requirements. [1915.15(f)]
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Figure 10: Inspection to maintain safe
conditions.
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Requirements and Example Solutions:
Examples of items that can change conditions
include:
-
Temperature changes: increased or decreased temperatures affect flammable and toxic vapor levels.
-
Type of work in tank: leaking torches, use of cleaning solvents, and
removal of tank residue ("mucking out") may alter
atmosphere.
-
Unattended tanks or spaces: if a period of time has elapsed, it is recommended that spaces be retested before re-entry and continuation of work.
[1915 Subpart A
and Subpart B]
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Ballasting or trimming: changing the
position of the vessel could release hazardous materials into a space or
compartment.
-
Ventilation changes: ventilation duct damage or fans not in use.
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Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendations |
- Maritime Labor/Industry recommends that tests before re-entry and continuation of
work in unattended tanks and spaces should be conducted at the
beginning of the shift and then at least once every 24 hours.
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Fall Hazards
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Potential Hazards:
Fall hazards are a leading cause of shipyard fatalities.
Shipyard employees are often required to work in dangerous
environments that may include fall hazards. Accidents involving
elevation equipment such as ladders, scaffolds, and aerial lifts are often serious,
even fatal. Workers also risk falls from open deck edges.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
Guarding of Deck Openings and Edges
- Deck openings and edges must be guarded. [1915.73]
- Flush manholes and other small openings must be guarded after opening. [1915.73(b)]
- During the installation of guards on large openings and deck
edges, fall protection (harness with lanyard) must be used. [1915.73(d)]
- When floor plates or gratings (e.g. bilges, engine rooms,
pump rooms, machinery spaces) are removed, the
openings must be guarded or planked. [1915.73(f)]
Fall Protection for Scaffold Work
- Guardrails or other appropriate fall protection must be
used when working on scaffolds 5 feet above solid surfaces. [1915.71(j)]
- During the installation of guards on scaffolds, fall protection
must be
used. [1915.73(d)]
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Maritime Labor/Industry Recommendations
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- Maritime Labor/Industry recommends that personal fall protection including
lanyards and harnesses be used and secured during installation
of guardrails and erection and dismantling of scaffolds.
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Ventilation Requirements
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Potential Hazards:
Workers performing hot work operations are exposed to toxic gases and metal
fumes (such as nitrogen oxides, zinc, or iron oxide fumes) that may cause
occupational illnesses.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
Ventilation removes or dilutes metal fumes and gases generated by hot work.
The following ventilation requirements must be met:
- Replace withdrawn air with clean respirable (breathable) air. [1915.51(b)(1)(v)]
- Discharge contaminated air away from the source of the intake
air. [1915.51(b)(1)(iv)]
- Mechanically ventilate toxic metal fumes, including: zinc, lead, cadmium, chromium,
beryllium, mercury, nickel, arsenic, and copper. [1915.51(d)]
- Note: The presence of beryllium requires local mechanical exhaust ventilation and airline respirators. [1915.51(d)(1)(iv)]
- Adjust local exhaust ventilation on an ongoing basis. [1915.51(b)(1)(iii)]
-
Warning:
Do not use
oxygen for ventilation or cleaning (blow-off). [1915.51(b)(1)(vi)]
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Figure 11: Local exhaust ventilation being
properly used.
Figure 12: Air movers provide general
ventilation to confined spaces.
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Fire Prevention Requirements
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Potential Hazards:
Workers performing hot work in enclosed spaces are exposed to the risk of
fires from ignition of flammable or combustible materials in the space and
from leaks of flammable gas into the space from hot work equipment.
Requirements and Example Solutions:
Fires caused by hot work in enclosed spaces can be prevented with the following
precautions:
-
Performing hot work in a safe location,
or with fire hazards removed or covered.
[1915
Subpart P]
-
Making suitable fire extinguishing equipment immediately available, including auxiliary water supply, and
assigning trained
fire watches as necessary. [1915
Subpart P]
-
Assigning additional personnel (fire watch) to guard against fire
while hot work is being performed. [1915
Subpart P]
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Not placing gas manifolds in
enclosed or confined spaces. [1915.55(e)(2)]
-
Not performing hot work where flammable
vapors or combustible dust exist. [1915
Subpart P]
-
Not using vaporizing-type extinguishers in enclosed or confined spaces. [1915
Subpart P]
-
Not having open containers of flammable liquids in hot work area. [1915
Subpart P]
-
Taking the above precautions
in all adjacent spaces. [1915
Subpart P]
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Figure 13: Typical gas manifold.
Figure 14: Fire watch.
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