General Hazard: Confined Spaces

Fire, asphyxiation, toxic exposures upon entry into confined

spaces during ship building and repair.
Hazard Description
Fumes from residual materials in tanks can create both
health and fire hazards. The hazard may be encountered
in spaces that have been fumigated or that have contained
bulk liquids, gases or solids that are irritants or are toxic
or corrosive. Spaces that have contained combustible
liquids or gases in bulk are potential fire hazards. Spaces
that are immediately adjacent to locations that have
contained hazardous materials may contain hazardous
gases as well.
Pyrolysis products released during hot work (e.g.,
welding, arc gouging, and flame cutting) - examples are
lead, metal fumes, nitrogen dioxide, etc.
Solvents, oils, pigments, anti-fouling and anti-rust
additives released during painting operations - create
both health and fire hazards.
Oxygen-deficient atmospheres - asphyxiation hazards
occur when gases displace oxygen, which can result from
fermentation of cargos, dry ice refrigeration, and cargos
that absorb oxygen (e.g., molasses, rusted scrap iron, and
various vegetable drying oils in bulk). Compartments that
have been recently painted and that are not ventilated,
and compartments that have been sealed for an extended
period of time may be oxygen deficient, even though tests
do not indicate the presence of flammable or toxic
contaminants.
Asbestos fibers - cause respiratory damage and chronic
disease.

Cargos that are allergenic or cause skin or respiratory

irritations.
For additional information, see OSHA's Confined Spaces
Safety and Health Topics Page.

Scenarios/Injuries
During outfitting, workers from different trades work
together in confined spaces, thereby exposing each other
to contaminants.
Before entering drydocks, Coast Guard regulations 46
CFR 35.1-1(c)(1) for tank vessels, 14 CFR 71.60(c)(1) for
passenger vessels, and 46 CFR 91.50-1(c)(1) for cargo and
miscellaneous vessels require that confined spaces (tanks,
compartments, lines) that contained flammable liquids be
cleaned of vapor while still at sea, and be certified by a
marine chemist in accordance with NFPA standard 306.
However, confined spaces should be tested again by an
industrial hygienist or marine chemist prior to entry. For
procedural details about cleaning tanks and lines, see
Savage.1
Periodic checking of confined spaces and tanks on vessels
that have carried gasoline and volatile crude oils is
required, because rust can continue to dissipate vapor
after tanks have been cleaned, and the pumping of ballast
may introduce vapor from remote areas of tanks and pipe
lines.2,3 In tanks that have contained gasoline, exposure to
lead during welding and cutting operations may result
from residual gasoline on rusty surfaces.2
Asbestos is still used in certain applications, but improved
installation methods generally control exposures.
However, removal of insulation poses a considerable
hazard. Asbestos removal in confined spaces can create
extreme concentrations of fibers.
Welding in confined spaces can yield high concentrations
of toxic airborne contaminants. For example, welding

where surfaces are coated with lead- and chromiumbased finishes and galvanized zinc coatings can yield
substantial exposures to hazardous materials. Ventilation
in confined spaces must be supplied mechanically. Where
ventilation provides insufficient protection, supplied-air
respirators must be used. For example, in some spaces,
the welder must crawl into areas where a gas torch can
generate fatal levels of nitrogen dioxide in a few minutes.2
"Skin irritation from cargos is...common."2

Controls
Also see general hazards for "Respiratory irritation and
poisoning from exposure to toxic fumes and particles
during welding and cutting operations," and "Exposures
to toxic fumes and particles during painting."
Certification and testing - potentially dangerous spaces
must be tested, inspected, and determined as safe for
entry by a marine chemist, industrial hygienist, or other
qualified person (see 29 CFR 1915.12). A record of tests
must be maintained in accordance with 29 CFR 1915.7(c)
(2). Section 29 CFR 1915.14 specifies need for
certification by a marine chemist prior to hot work.
Section 29 CFR 1915.15 specifies procedures for
maintaining gas-free conditions in confined spaces.
Section 29 CFR 1915.13 specifies procedures and
conditions for performing cold work and cleaning without
the space being certified as gas-free.
Signs - section 29 CFR 1915.16 requires that conspicuous
signs be used to indicate the results of certification
inspections.
Protocols for entry into confined spaces - precautions that
must be taken before entering are specified in 29 CFR
1915.12.
Asbestos work - the space must be isolated. Respiratory
protection, perhaps requiring flow air-line or powered

air- purifying respirators, must be used during insulation

removal operations. Portable exhaust systems equipped
with high-efficiency particulate filters are used to control
exposures on large jobs, as well as vacuum cleaners for
asbestos.
Welding and cutting operations - additional respiratory
protection is often needed when operating in confined
spaces. Hazardous surface finishes should be removed
before welding. Section 29 CFR 1915.14 specifies that
certification by a marine chemist is required before
workers may engage in hot wor