Person felt unwell while working in confined space

  • Safety Flash
  • Published on 28 January 2019
  • Generated on 15 June 2025
  • IMCA SF 01/19
  • 1 minute read

A worker felt dizzy and weak while cleaning a mud tank.

IOGP life saving rules: Confined space entry

What happened?

The tank watchman noticed this and initiated the emergency rescue procedures to recover the person from confined space.

Following First Aid on-board and further diagnosis of increased blood pressure, the worker had some rest and returned to his duties a few hours later.

What went wrong?

  • There was a failure to safely control the work process: permits and certificates incorrectly issued, incorrect gas-freeing checks, personal gas detector not worn, wrong isolation process (no ‘lock-out’).

  • The rescue equipment was not suitable – there were no certificates to evidence inspection of safety harness, tripod and inertia reel.

  • There was no confined space rescue plan in place.

  • Hazards not identified – The mud loaded previously had no safety datasheet hence the hazards were unknown.

Remember: Uncontrolled work in confined space can lead to fatalities!

What lessons were learned?

Thorough check of lock-out/tag-out kits, gas detectors and rescue equipment to ensure properly available and suitable for use.

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