2 Longshore Workers Dead; 1 Crew Member Hospitalized In Another Atmospheric Event [13 November 2018 – Montevideo, UR]
![2 Longshore Workers Dead; 1 Crew Member Hospitalized In Another Atmospheric Event [13 November 2018 – Montevideo, UR]](https://blueoceana.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2421259-623x200.jpg)
MARITIME BULLETIN reports today (see link below) that yet another fatal atmospheric accident occurred earlier this morning at the Uruguayan port of Montevideo.
This time reportedly during timber discharge operations aboard the M/V AMERICAN BULKER, wherein two merchant mariners succumbed to what is described as a “toxic atmosphere” during a period of time that they were “assisting” in the offloading process. One other crew member is under medical care.
We’re following this accident, hoping to understand if the nature of the atmospheric issue was oxygen deficiency or fumigant toxicity. Both have potentials.
The rash of shipboard enclosed space atmospheric deaths over the last few years simply begs for meaningful intervention. The more recent IMO requirements mandating that ships be equipped with atmospheric testing devices has not been comprehensive enough to deter these events. More needs to be done.
U.S. Longshore workers and managers are reminded that when any space has the potential of containing an atmosphere that may endanger the health of those persons entering that space, OSHA requirements mandate that a test of that atmosphere must be taken before entry.
The principal OSHA regulation:
29 CFR 1918.93(b) Determination of the hazard. When the employer knows, or has reason to believe, that a space on a vessel contains or has contained a hazardous atmosphere, a designated and appropriately equipped person shall test the atmosphere prior to employee entry to detect whether a hazardous atmosphere exists.
Link to Media Account: 2 crew died 1 hospitalized, again timber and toxic gas (111318)
UPDATE – 13 November 2018 7:35 PM EST: In a reversal of the report offered earlier today by MARITIME BULLETIN (see above), it now appears that the two victims aboard M/V AMERICAN BULKER were in fact local longshoremen who went aboard to discharge the timber cargo. According to the MARITIME EXECUTIVE report linked to below, a crew member saw the longshoremen in some distress and attempted a rescue. He was incapacitated and later hospitalized, but he lived… as did a third longshoreman. According to the latest information, it appears that the timber cargo had been fumigated with an Aluminum Phosphide preparation.
UPDATE – 26 November 2018 3:00 PM EST: From local Montevideo sources, we have been provided with a photograph that depicts the resting positions of the two longshore workers killed in this tragic incident. While we appreciate that some may feel that it is insensitive to post such an image, our overriding goal at this page is create awareness and a realistic sense of the dangerous posed to marine cargo handling workers. Moreover, no actual identities are inferred nor implied through this particular image.
Link to Media Account: Two Uruguayan Dockers Dead in Confined Space Accident (111318)
Link to Media Account: Six workers died from port accidents so far this year (111318)
Link to Media Account: An unknown poison killed two dockworkers Team of fire experts found nothing unusual in the cargo hold. (111318)
