Cargo hose disconnection - Personal Safety on Chemical Tankers
Hose disconnection and checks of the line must be carried out
with extra awareness, especially when handing toxic chemical
cargoes. Crew training in cargo hose disconnection is important
including – Personal Safety on Chemical
Tankers.
The correct PPE must be worn, and the MSDS for the specific cargo. Connection and disconnection must be supervised by an Officer to ensure all safety procedures are being followed.
The correct PPE must be worn, and the MSDS for the specific cargo. Connection and disconnection must be supervised by an Officer to ensure all safety procedures are being followed.
Incident of a contained spill
onboard a Chemical Tanker
Brief account of Event:
The vessel was engaged with mandatory pre-wash of cargo MARPOL Annex II Cat “X” – Benzene. On completion of the pre-wash, the hose was blown by air into the barge. The hose provided from the slop barge was connected to ship’s hoses and the connection was approximately 2.5 metres below manifold level.
The Pumpman decided to open a drain cock at the manifold to verify no water and pressure was left in the line, however the line was not completely blown and a cargo/water mixture sprayed on to his arm sleeve. This mixture also spilled on to the deck.
Fig: Cargo hose connection area
What Went Well:
The Pumpman took an emergency shower on deck and was examined by the duty officer to ensure there were no chemical burns on his skin. His boilersuit was removed outside of the accommodation and sealed in a plastic bag for proper disposal.
What Went Wrong ( Critical Factors ):
1) The persons involved in hose disconnection must take in to consideration that air blowing for a set period of time may not be sufficient to declare the line free of residues and act accordingly. In this case the Pump man opened the drain too early. He did not check the pressure gauge prior to hose disconnection.
2) There was no direct supervision – officers were preoccupied with completing departure checks as the pilot was on his way to the vessel.
3) Inadequate Leadership : No cargo specific instructions given by the Master or C/O in respect of handling Benzene as required by the MCS Circular 1095 (Min safety standard – Benzene).
4) The Pumpman did not wear the correct PPE, Chemical Goggles, during hose disconnection. The consequences of a corrosive cargo splash would have been much more serious as compared to toxic one in this case.
5) Ships’ Risk Assessment did not reflect all requirements of IBC Code for Toxic cargo and preventive measures.
Related Info:
Tank cleaning fatality- case study & lessons learned
Pre-cleaning /washing of cargo tanks
Final cleaning of cargo tanks prior loading
Tank cleaning and posoning hazards
Testing of tanks and cargoes
Practical tank cleaning methods for various noxious liquid cargo
Special tank cleaning method
Determining proper tank cleaning by acid wash method
Supervision of all tank cleaning and gas freeing operations
Disposal of tank washings, slops and dirty ballast - safe method
Type & condition of tank coatings - maintenance guideline
Static electricity -How they generate & required safety precautions
Cargo tank damage during pigging operations
Tank explosion case study
Following reference publications provide useful guidance and international regulations for carrying hazardous chemicals at sea.
Our detail pages contain somewhat larger lists of resources where you may find more useful information.
Main Info pages!
Home page ||| Chemical hazards ||| Cargo planning & Stowage ||| Cargo loading ||| Cargo documents ||| Safe stability ||| Cargo care ||| Preparation for unloading ||| Inert gas systems |||Gas freeing ||| Nitrogen handling ||| Chemical handling Safe practice |||Handling equipments ||| Cargo & Ballast pumps ||| Cargo tanks |||Tank cleaning |||Special cargoes |||Spills emergencies |||Fire protection
Chemicaltankerguide.com is merely an informational site about various aspects of chemical tankers and safety tips that may be particular value to those working in: Chemical Handling, Chemical Storage, Liquefied Chemical Suppliers, Chemical Shipping, Chemical Transportation, Chemical Terminals, Bulk Chemical Services and Chemical Processing. If you are interested in finding out more about chemical tanker guideline please visit IMO official website. For any comment please Contact us
Copyright © 2011 Chemical Tanker Guide.com All rights reserved.
Brief account of Event:
The vessel was engaged with mandatory pre-wash of cargo MARPOL Annex II Cat “X” – Benzene. On completion of the pre-wash, the hose was blown by air into the barge. The hose provided from the slop barge was connected to ship’s hoses and the connection was approximately 2.5 metres below manifold level.
The Pumpman decided to open a drain cock at the manifold to verify no water and pressure was left in the line, however the line was not completely blown and a cargo/water mixture sprayed on to his arm sleeve. This mixture also spilled on to the deck.
Fig: Cargo hose connection area
What Went Well:
The Pumpman took an emergency shower on deck and was examined by the duty officer to ensure there were no chemical burns on his skin. His boilersuit was removed outside of the accommodation and sealed in a plastic bag for proper disposal.
What Went Wrong ( Critical Factors ):
1) The persons involved in hose disconnection must take in to consideration that air blowing for a set period of time may not be sufficient to declare the line free of residues and act accordingly. In this case the Pump man opened the drain too early. He did not check the pressure gauge prior to hose disconnection.
2) There was no direct supervision – officers were preoccupied with completing departure checks as the pilot was on his way to the vessel.
3) Inadequate Leadership : No cargo specific instructions given by the Master or C/O in respect of handling Benzene as required by the MCS Circular 1095 (Min safety standard – Benzene).
4) The Pumpman did not wear the correct PPE, Chemical Goggles, during hose disconnection. The consequences of a corrosive cargo splash would have been much more serious as compared to toxic one in this case.
5) Ships’ Risk Assessment did not reflect all requirements of IBC Code for Toxic cargo and preventive measures.
Related Info:
Tank cleaning fatality- case study & lessons learned
Pre-cleaning /washing of cargo tanks
Final cleaning of cargo tanks prior loading
Tank cleaning and posoning hazards
Testing of tanks and cargoes
Practical tank cleaning methods for various noxious liquid cargo
Special tank cleaning method
Determining proper tank cleaning by acid wash method
Supervision of all tank cleaning and gas freeing operations
Disposal of tank washings, slops and dirty ballast - safe method
Type & condition of tank coatings - maintenance guideline
Static electricity -How they generate & required safety precautions
Cargo tank damage during pigging operations
Tank explosion case study
Following reference publications provide useful guidance and international regulations for carrying hazardous chemicals at sea.
- SOLAS (latest consolidated edition)
- MARPOL – 73/78 (latest consolidated edition)
- BCH / IBC Code
- International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT)
- Tanker Safety Guide (Chemicals)
- Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum)
- Safety in Oil Tankers
- Safety in Chemical Tankers
- IMDG Code
- Supplement to IMDG Code (Including MFAG and Ems)
- SOPEP
- Clean Seas Guide for Oil Tankers
- FOSFA (for Oils, Seeds and Fats)
- Prevention of Oil Spillage through Cargo Pumproom Sea Valves
- CHRIS Guide (USCG)
- Chemical Data Guide for Bulk Shipment by Water (Condensed Chris)
- MSDS for particular cargo carried
- Chemical Tank Cleaning Guide
Our detail pages contain somewhat larger lists of resources where you may find more useful information.
Main Info pages!
Home page ||| Chemical hazards ||| Cargo planning & Stowage ||| Cargo loading ||| Cargo documents ||| Safe stability ||| Cargo care ||| Preparation for unloading ||| Inert gas systems |||Gas freeing ||| Nitrogen handling ||| Chemical handling Safe practice |||Handling equipments ||| Cargo & Ballast pumps ||| Cargo tanks |||Tank cleaning |||Special cargoes |||Spills emergencies |||Fire protection
Chemicaltankerguide.com is merely an informational site about various aspects of chemical tankers and safety tips that may be particular value to those working in: Chemical Handling, Chemical Storage, Liquefied Chemical Suppliers, Chemical Shipping, Chemical Transportation, Chemical Terminals, Bulk Chemical Services and Chemical Processing. If you are interested in finding out more about chemical tanker guideline please visit IMO official website. For any comment please Contact us
Copyright © 2011 Chemical Tanker Guide.com All rights reserved.