Accidents in enclosed spaces still happen too often, despite procedures, permits and mandatory drills. The lesson from real incidents is clear: time pressure and familiarity can lead to dangerous assumptions. No enclosed space is safe until proven safe. 

SOLAS requires enclosed space entry and rescue drills for crew with entry or rescue responsibilities at least every two months. These drills should be treated as practical learning opportunities, not checklist exercises. 

A good drill should test how the crew prepares, communicates, controls the entry point, uses gas testing equipment and responds if something goes wrong. It should also test whether people feel confident to stop the job when conditions are unclear or unsafe.  

If a drill reveals confusion, missing equipment, poor communication or uncertainty about rescue roles, that is a valuable finding. Learn from it, correct it and repeat the lesson before a real emergency occurs. 

Accident reports often point to familiar procedure-related causes: no entry permit, inadequate atmosphere testing, weak supervision, poor communication, or an instinctive rescue attempt without protection. Procedures matter, but they are not enough on their own. Management has a key role in ensuring that operational pressure, time constraints and production demands do not prevent crews from stopping to reassess risks and challenge assumptions, including the assumption that a space is safe simply because the job seems easy or the space has been entered before. 

Former Gard surveyor Alf Martin Sandberg’s near-fatal experience is a strong reminder. He entered a void space without first checking the atmosphere. The incident could easily have cost him his life, and it shows that even experienced people can make mistakes. 

Watch Alf Martin telling his own story in the following video:

Before anyone enters, stop and ask: 

• Have the space and its hazards been properly assessed? 

• Has it been isolated from all sources of danger? 

• Has it been effectively ventilated, including dead areas? 

• Has the atmosphere been tested and confirmed safe? 

• Will conditions be monitored during entry where required? 

• Are all involved trained, briefed and competent? 

• Is the entry permit valid and are precautions in place? 

• Are communication, standby and rescue arrangements clear? 

 If the answer is no, or not sure, do not enter. 

Use Gard’s awareness and training material to support onboard safety meetings, drills and crew discussions. Remember, knowledge and training save lives.