Investigators publish report on gas poisoning mishap on Australian fishing vessel

Enclosed and confined spaces

The bow thruster machinery space had characteristics of an enclosed and confined space, but it had not been identified as such. People working there were at greater risk of harm from toxic gas or flooding with limited ability to escape.

The TAIC said the hazards determine the controls. If a space has the hazards or characteristics of an enclosed or confined space, it should be managed as such.

Multiple organisations, same workplace

Accidental discharge of hazardous liquids and the resulting gases can create hazards for dry dock workers. Lyttelton Port Company’s safety standards and management of dry dock workers did not provide adequate protection from this hazard.

TAIC said safety responsibilities can overlap if several organisations work at the same site. Also, the work can change from day to day. Safety depends on active coordination for everyone to understand the hazards, who controls them, and management of change.

The commission has recommended that Lyttelton Port Company (operator of the dry dock) ensure that systems on dry-docked vessels that could affect dry dock safety are isolated and kept safe and improve management of overlapping responsibilities of parties working in its dry dock.