Joint Media Release: "Industry group reveals initial results from research into maritime deaths in enclosed spaces"

Joint Media Release – 8 December 2021

issued by

The Human Element Industry Group (HEIG)

“Industry group reveals initial results from research into
maritime deaths in enclosed spaces”

Enclosed space deaths continue to be one of the biggest occupational hazards aboard ship.
Several years ago, InterManager launched a survey on enclosed space deaths, which 5000 seafarers responded to. A number of issues were raised in particular:

• Procedures often seem to seafarers, difficult to understand, confusing, and do not take account of the resources, equipment and time available aboard the vessel.
• Investigations of fatalities point to failures in the victims and in particular their failure to follow procedures.
• Commercial/time pressure is a significant factor and was described as ‘verging on abuse’.
• Design and equipment added to the problems by creating hazards.
• Training was seen as being limited to tanker trades.

In response to these findings, eighteen months ago the Human Element Industry Group (HEIG) set up the enclosed space project. The project involves the HEIG members and some 50-100 maritime sector individuals examining a number of areas with a view to influencing changes in regulations, industry practice, and training, as well as improving awareness of the problems faced by seafarers. Most of the analysis is complete and it is appropriate to share some of this as HEIG moves into rolling out its action programme to deal with the problem.

Please refer to the attached file for the full Media Release.