Page 29: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2023)

SAFETY @ SEA: ENCLOSED SPACES

Widely used IMO Resolution “As human beings we

A1050/27 and Code of Safe have a blind spot for

Working Practices are very dangers that we cannot confusing. see, touch or hear.”

Captain Kuba Szymanski, Raal Harris, CCO,

Secretary General, Intermanager Ocean Technologies Group knowledge, he says. Can the person make the right decision at Late last year, the IMO committed to review guidance gov- the crucial moment? Can they do it under pressure? “Immer- erning safe working in enclosed spaces, and plans are expect- sive techniques can help to simulate the conditions that people ed to be con? rmed at MSC107 in June 2023. may face and prepare them.” InterManager has partnered on a submission that draws at-

It’s a multi-dimensional issue, and training is not able to tention to industry-led investigations into enclosed space acci- in? uence all the factors, he says. “There are many procedural, dents. This has resulted in several distinct themes that require hardware and ship design factors which are beyond the sea- attention: design and construction, gas evolution, movement farer’s control, and we support initiatives such as those by and entrapment within the ship structure, and the human el-

InterManager to attempt to address these so that we minimize ement prevalent in many enclosed space incidents, such as risks wherever possible.” the rush to rescue a single casualty resulting in the death of

InterManager data shows that 347 people lost their lives be- many, the disregard of procedures and local adaptation of un- tween 1999 and 2023. The problem may be even greater as safe practices. there is a lack of consistent recording and reporting within the Szymanski says: “We are keen to ensure the debate looks industry, particularly by Flag States. beyond any initial mistakes made by those who died.”

InterManager’s research also shows that widely used IMO He would like to see table top exercises for of? ce staff to

Resolution A1050/27 and Code of Safe Working Practices are familiarize them with how to cope in the event of an accident. very confusing, says Intermanager Secretary General, Cap- Everyone involved in the command chain needs to have a bet- tain Kuba Szymanski. These two documents are, however, ter understanding of the dangers of working in enclosed spac- the backbone for almost all company-prepared onboard safety es and the procedures needed to ensure safe working. “And I management systems. do mean everyone.” www.marinelink.com 29

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