
Fig: Exploded ford store
Two days later and with the vessel now at sea, the
ventilation flaps, hatch and door of the forward store
were secured. The following day the Bosun opened the
door of the forward store and turned on the
ventilation fan. An explosion occurred and the Bosun
was killed.
What Went Wrong ( Critical Factors ):
Several valves in the de-humidifier system were
passing and the spool piece was not removed after the
tank cleaning operation. It was therefore possible for
cargo vapours to enter the forward store and with the
store room secured for sea, an explosive atmosphere
was created. The ventilation fan provided the ignition
source.
Five crew members smelt cargo vapour in the forward
store but did not report this to a senior officer. Some
of them were new to the vessel and junior in rank.
The spool piece was not removed as required by the
Company. Designed as the last line of defence, it was
found that the position and design of the spool piece
made it difficult to handle. The spool piece is 2 metres
above deck height and 50kg in weight.
Lessons learned & Recommendations:
* Use your senses! Any irregularities must be
reported to a senior officer.
* On completion of operations
spool pieces must be removed and the blanks
properly fitted. In order to make them
conspicuous, all portable bends, and spool
pieces are to be conspicuously marked and
labelled with intended purpose.
* Vessels with awkward and heavy spool pieces on
the dehumidifier system, as in this case, should
consider alternative arrangements with their
Superintendent. In this case, the Managers
replaced the spool pieces on the dehumidifier
system with a flexible hose.
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
Securing tank lids & safety precautions
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
Tank cleaning fatality- case study & lessons learned
Cargo tank damage during pigging operations
Tank explosion case study
Rubber lined tanks, for the transport of phosphoric acid, waste acids and hydrochloric acid.
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
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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
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