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Avoid Unnecessary Suffocation
01 May 2004
A recent report from the Nautical International Marine Accident Reporting Scheme (MARS) described an incident in which four stevedores died.
In the hold of a cargo ship carrying a load of stripped logs, one man slipped and fell into deep recesses between the logs. Three additional men making a rescue attempt also became trapped and all four were later brought out unconscious and pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
The actual cause of death was suffocation caused by a lack of oxygen in the hold. This was due to the nature of the cargo, which depleted the oxygen supply.
Numerous other cargoes are known to have oxygen depleting properties, including metals with oxygenating characteristics and decomposable products such as vegetable oils and animal fats.
The reported accident could have been avoided if the men had utilised a portable gas detector such as the Monitox Plus supplied by Martek Marine of Rotherham UK. This compact, lightweight and reliable monitoring device responds to low oxygen conditions within seconds by emitting an ear piercing audible alarm as well as providing a visible LED alarm.
The measured oxygen value is shown on the LCD display.
The Monitox Plus is intrinsically safe and can be used even in a hazardous area. Martek Marine also offer fixed continuous oxygen monitoring systems.
Martek Marine was recently presented with the 'Investors in People' award by the Mayor of Rotherham. The ceremony came only two months after Martek's QA System was accredited to the new international quality management standard BS EN ISO 9001:2000.
MJInformation No: 19423
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