Overview

This book is an informative guide to the hazards associated with entering enclosed or confined spaces on board and is an essential resource for anyone involved in this activity.

The authors, Olaf and Erik Olsen, first considered this book after reading yet another account of an enclosed space tragedy resulting in the death of merchant seafarers. Despite the fact that the merchant marine world has been provided with guidance, regulation and codes to prevent such accidents, they continue to happen.

The informative style of this book explains the hazards associated with the activity of entering confined spaces and should provide an excellent basis for decision taking when faced with the potential hazard of an enclosed space.

Content

Authors’ Introduction

Foreword

Introduction

The Death Toll must be Cut

1 A Straightforward Approach

1.1 Systematic Approach to Safety

1.2 What is ‘Fresh Air’?

1.3 Weight of Air and Different Gases – an Introduction to Molecular Mass

1.3.1 Methane

1.3.2 Vapours Lighter than Methane

1.4 The Hazard of Invisible Gases

1.5 Temperature and Pressure Variation

2 What is so Special about Fresh Air?

2.1 Oxygen

2.2 Spaces with less than 20.9% Oxygen

2.3 The Human Need for Oxygen

2.4 Nitrogen

2.5 Carbon Dioxide

3 The Adrenalin Rush and Feeling Superhuman

4 Carbon Monoxide – A Nasty and Sinister Gas

4.1 Threshold Limit Value (TLV)

5 A Most Unpleasant Smell

6 The Hydrocarbons

6.1 Flammability of Hydrocarbons

6.2 More Waxy and Viscous Fluids

6.3 Hydrocarbon Vapours and Flammable Limits

6.4 The Chemical Industry and Alkanes

6.5 Benzene

6.6 CFCs

6.7 Ammonia

6.8 Release of Gases from Residues on Chemical Tankers

7 So Far, So Good, So What?

8 The Real World

8.1 Hazard Identification

8.2 Risk Assessment

8.3 Checklists

8.4 Signed Entry Permit

8.5 Correctly Monitor and Record

9 Tables of Toxicity

9.1 Source of Data

9.2 TLV, TWA and STEL

9.3 OEL, MEL, WEL and DNEL

10 The Nose is not Enough

10.1 Introduction to Explosimeters

10.2 Introduction to the Oxygen Analyser

10.3 Introduction to the Tankscope

10.4 Tubes and Multi-Channel Gas Detectors

10.5 Testing and Calibration of Instruments

10.6 Summary of the Various Gas Measuring
Instruments

10.7 Flammable Range Diagram

11 Closing Summary

11.1 Key Points when Preparing to Evaluate the
Atmosphere in a Compartment

11.2 Evaluating the Atmosphere of Secondary

Locations

Bibliography

Introduction

Enclosed space entry is an extremely hazardous activity that results in fatal accidents each year,

It may also be known as:

• Dangerous space entry

• Tank entry

• Confined space entry

Entry into an enclosed space should only be made when there is no alternative measures that could be taken, when all hazards have been assessed and dealt with and it has been verified that the space contains fresh air.

Details

Title: Fresh Air in Dark Places
Number of Pages: 134
Product Code: 4351
ISBN: ISBN 13: 978-1-905331-89-5 (9781905331895), ISBN 10: 1-905331-89-4 (1905331894)
Published Date: March 2010
Binding Format: Paperback
Book Height: 210 mm
Book Width: 150 mm
Book Spine: 90 mm
Weight: 0.30 kg
Author: Olaf Olsen