CONFINED SPACE

Most confined areas on a cargo ship are boilers, pressure vessels, cargo, ballast, fuel oil, or lubricating oil tanks, cargo holds, void spaces, or similar type enclosures. These spaces have restricted access, no windows for fresh air, and aren’t made for constant occupation.

Required Workplace safety gear for use in a limited area. Preventative measures and sound management controls are prioritized above PPE, which is seen as a last resort. However, the surveyor may need PPE as the first line of defense due to the dangerous nature of the environment and the relative isolation of people accessing the enclosed space. Since the risks and severity of risk to health and safety in each confined area will vary, the decision on what PPE to ultimately provide must be based on an evaluation of those factors. The following recommendations are provided as an overarching principle.