Ship recycling safety must start before the first cut
Ten workers lost their lives during a ship recycling operation in Chattogram on 14 August. Their deaths have understandably renewed questions about safety standards, certification and the progress made by the ship recycling industry. Whatever the final findings on responsibility, an outcome of this scale is unacceptable. The immediate priority must be to understand how ...
The recent ship recycling operation in Chattogram resulted in the tragic loss of ten lives, reigniting discussions about safety standards and certification within the industry. While the statutory investigations will determine the full circumstances and responsibilities, a preliminary technical assessment highlights a broader safety issue that warrants attention across the sector.
The accident involved workers exposed to hydrogen sulphide, a heavier-than-air gas that can form dangerous clouds in open areas, emphasizing the need for safety controls to begin earlier in the process. The assessment also points to the dynamic nature of ballast tanks, where prolonged biological activity can lead to anoxic conditions and the formation of hydrogen sulphide, even after extensive recycling.
This underscores the importance of continuously assessing and updating safety measures throughout the recycling process to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Brief written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
