Three Longshore Workers Dead In Atmospheric Incident Within Ship’s Hold [Aracruz, Brazil – 24 July 2018]
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A report picked up from the Brazilian blog Logistica Portuaria recounts the suffocation/toxic gas related deaths of three dockworkers aboard M/V SEPITIBA BAY today at the Portocel marine terminal facility in Aracruz port, Espirito Santo, Brazil.
The tenor of the article (in its original Portuguese) provides that the workers descended into the lower hold of the vessel in order to discharge a cargo of eucalyptus logs. A rough translation of the article is provided here:
“The Dark Side of Port Hazards
24 July 2018
Severe accident in the port complex of Vitoria do Espirito Santo in Portocel, in the bar of the river at the Port of Aracruz has tragic end for 3 families of the State of Espírito Santo.
The stevedores boarded the ship M/V SEPITIBA BAY docked in Berth 102 around 12: 25, for the discharge of eucalyptus logs from the port of Rio Grande. They entered the lower hold of the ship. When arriving there one of the dockers attempted to pick up equipment and felt a strong odor and then came to passing out with a toxic gas.
Three other stevedores went to meet his friend and to help him after passing out. The rest of the suit to see the situation ran after rescue, behind oxygen mask and tube for the rescue that of beginning was provided by the crew soon was attended by the equipment of the Portocel.
The firemen arrived at the place count made the rescue following the protocols, the four stevedores sending them to the hospital.
The ship was evacuated and the Activities of Portocel are paralyzed after an accident in the basement.
Unfortunately three died and the fourth remains hospitalized in serious condition in the Hospital
The causes of the accident are being investigated by the terminal’s health and safety team, fire brigade and area-related technicians.
My sincere condolences to the TPA family
Adenilson S de carvalho
Clovis Lira da Silva
Luiz Carlos Milagres“
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Logs, notwithstanding their species, have a tendency to deplete the oxygen content of a given cargo space. Thus, the monitoring of available levels of oxygen is absolutely necessary both before and during the cargo handling process.
Apparently, no monitoring for oxygen content nor toxic gas concentrations was conducted before entry and within a given space of time three of the gang members were overcome and rendered unconscious. One other gang member was similarly overcome, but is still alive in hospital. His condition is critical.
Below, we provide photographs of the accident scene, the vessel and a geographic orientation of the vessel’s position at berth.
Translating the memorium box, above:
REPORT
With deep regret the Espirito Santo State Stevedoring Union informs of the death of THREE PORT WORKERS, today (24), in Portocel – Barra do Riacho, Aracruz
UPDATE 16 September 2018 [3:00 PM EST]: The legal conclusion: If you are in secrecy of Justice