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High potential near miss: person found unconscious in confined space

What happened?

During commissioning activities, a commissioning engineer was found unconscious inside a gas valve unit (GVU).  He received CPR and regained consciousness before being transported to the hospital for further diagnosis.  Luckily, he has made full recovery.

Pressure holding tests were being conducted, controlled from an interface cabinet.  Nitrogen gas was used as the test medium.  The pressure build-up was taking longer than usual so the vendor performing the test suspected that there was a leak somewhere.  He heard a hissing sound coming from inside one of the GVUs (where the piping runs through) and suspected that the leak was coming from the piping inside the GVU.  The vendor informed the commissioning engineer about the leakage and returned to the interface cabinet.  Shortly afterwards the vendor noticed the commissioning engineer entering the GVU through the manhole opening.  The vendor rushed to the GVU, but the commissioning engineer was already overcome by the nitrogen and had collapsed inside the unit.

The commissioning engineer was rescued, CPR was administered, and he regained consciousness before being transported to the hospital supported by additional oxygen.  The engineer has since made a full recovery and is back on duty.

What went wrong?

  • The gas valve unit (GVU) is clearly a confined space; however, the experienced engineer decided to enter alone via the manhole opening;
  • There were no confined space entry controls in place at that particular GVU i.e.:
    • no confined space entry permit in place
    • no atmospheric test results at the location
    • no safety watch in place.

What lessons were learned?

Never enter a confined space unless a permit is active, and all controls are in place to ensure your safety, such as; the atmosphere has been successfully tested; a safety watch is at the entrance; you know what the rescue plan is; and you have discussed your entry with your supervisor.

Members may wish to refer to: 

Safety Event

Published: 18 June 2019
Download: IMCA SF 14/19

Relevant life-saving rules:
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