Death and serious injury from oxygen-depleted tanks and void spaces continue to claim the lives of mariners on all types of vessels, and flammable gases pose a threat of explosion, particularly on tankers and bulk carriers. According to the International Magazine Organisation (MSC 1095), cargo loading, tank cleaning and gas-freeing procedures onboard tankers expose crew to the greatest risk of vapours from the products. A number of marine societies have identified long and short term dangers associated with toxic gases and the need to protect crews from the immediate dangers posed by highly toxic hydrogen sulphide and the long term damage from benzene, which has been associated with elevated levels of cancer in mariners. Last year, amended SOLAS regulations highlighted the presence of benzene in crude oil, bunker oil and other cargoes.
展开▼
