Confined space entry fatality
- Safety Flash
- Published on 10 November 2020
- Generated on 10 December 2025
- IMCA SF 31/20
- 1 minute read
What happened?
A sad incident has come to IMCA’s attention in which one person lost his life and another was injured, as a result of confined space entry. The incident occurred on a vessel within a shipyard.
Two workers were assigned the task of spray painting the inside of a fresh water tank inside the steering gear room. One of them was spraying inside the tank while his colleague was outside the tank assisting the spraying activity. During the spraying activity, an explosion suddenly occurred; the ignition source is still under investigation. The person outside the tank was rescued and was conscious at time of rescue. However, the person inside the tank was found unconscious in the tank by the Emergency Response Team.
Both were transferred to a local hospital. Upon arrival at hospital, the person who had been found unconscious, was declared dead by a doctor. Investigation is on-going with all relevant government authorities.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.