Case Study: Shore stevedore collapsed in a cargo hold.

Shore stevedore collapsed in a cargo hold during discharging on Bulk carrier.

• A panamax bulk carrier was discharging coal.
• 2 stevedores boarded and proceeded to hold #7.
• Stevedore used the forward entrance which was kept closed and did not use the aft entrance which was open.
• After 20 minutes one stevedore was seen coming up the gangway with First aid kit.
• Duty office and Duty AB were alerted that there was an incident in Hold # 7.
• The stevedore mentioned that one stevedore had collapsed in #7 hatch near Forward entrance.
• Alarm was raised and SCBA/EEBD sets arranged.
• Casualty Stevedore brought on open deck by their team.
• Resuscitation was started, and casualty was sent to hospital ashore.
  

Investigation Result

• The Forward ladder was enclosed with opening at the bottom. The aft ladder was open all the way from the top to the bottom.
• The level of cargo in hold #7 at time of accident was about 10 meters from tank-top. The lower Access of the Australian ladder was closed and sealed by the cargo.
• The gas reading was taken about 2-3 meters from deck level. The O2 level was 20.9% but the toxic gas reading was 10% soon after the accident on the multi gas detector.
• The toxic gas (Carbon monoxide gas) apparently caused the Asphyxiation (as per police investigators).
• Suitable warning signs were posted at the entrance of the cargo hold that this was a Restricted space.
• Aft entrance flap was kept open for entering the hold and the forward entrance was kept closed. There was no fault on the vessel as the stevedores are expected to use only the open entrance and not open any closed entrance.