14.3 Emergency equipment requirement of IBC Code

  14.3.1 Ships carrying cargoes, for which "Yes" is indicated in column n of chapter 17, shall be provided with suitable respiratory and eye protection sufficient for every person on board for emergency escape purposes, subject to the following:

• .1 filter-type respiratory protection is unacceptable;
• .2 self-contained breathing apparatus shall have at least a duration of service of 15 min;
• .3 emergency escape respiratory protection shall not be used for fire-fighting or cargo-handling purposes and shall be marked to that effect.

  14.3.2 The ship shall have on board medical first-aid equipment, including oxygen resuscitation equipment and antidotes for cargoes to be carried, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization

  14.3.3 A stretcher which is suitable for hoisting an injured person up from spaces such as the cargo pump-room shall be placed in a readily accessible location.

  14.3.4 Suitably marked decontamination showers and an eyewash shall be available on deck in convenient locations. The showers and eyewash shall be operable in all ambient conditions.

Measures to Address the Revised Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships (MSC.581(110))

At the 110th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 110) held in June 2025, the Revised

Recommendations for Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships were adopted as IMO Resolution

MSC.581(110).

This resolution invited the Assembly to revoke resolution A.1050(27) and aims to prevent fatalities

and serious accidents related to enclosed space entry by clarifying requirements for definitions, risk

assessment, atmosphere testing, carbon dioxide (CO2) management, and emergency preparedness.

This Technical Information provides an overview of the main amendments and highlights important

points to be considered.

1. Outline

Resolution MSC.581(110) is a recommendatory instrument applicable to all ship types.

The resolution recommends that enclosed space entry should be managed within the Safety

Management System (SMS) of the Company.

The key focus areas include:

･ Treating enclosed spaces as unsafe until proven safe

･ Enhanced requirements for carbon dioxide (CO2) monitoring

･ Prohibition of single-person entry

･ Establishment of an Enclosed Space Register

･ Development of ship-specific emergency response plans

･ Strengthening of training and drills

2. Application

･ All ship types

･ All personnel who may enter enclosed spaces, including ship's crew, shore personnel, port

workers and ship operators.

3. Key Safety Requirements

3.1 Basic Principles for Enclosed Space Entry

･ All enclosed spaces should be considered unsafe for entry until declared safe (4.8)

･ Single-person entry is prohibited (3.11)

･ Entry should only be permitted following: (4.1)

- Completion of a risk assessment

- Issuance of an Enclosed Space Entry Permit

3.2 Enhanced Atmosphere Testing Requirements

All ships should carry at least two sets of gas detection equipment as required by SOLAS

regulation XI-1/7, Any ship which may carry a cargo capable of generating hazardous vapors

and which requires regular entry into the cargo space should carry two additional sets (7.3)

Based on the results of the risk assessment, the atmosphere should be tested using

calibrated instruments before entry and during entry: (7.4)

･ Oxygen content: 20.9%

･ Carbon dioxide (CO2): less than 0.5% (5,000 ppm)

･ Flammable gases or vapors: less than 1% of LFL (The assessment has determined that

there is potential for flammable gases or vapors)

･ Toxic gases: below 50% of applicable occupational exposure limits

3.3 Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

･ CO2 is a highly dangerous gas that may cause rapid unconsciousness and death (10.5.5)

･ Particular attention is required for spaces associated with bulk cargoes, organic cargoes,

or cargo residues (10.3)

3.4 Portable Gas Detectors

･ All personnel entering an enclosed space should be provided with portable gas

detectors (8.2)

･ Detectors should be capable of measuring oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), flammable

gases/vapors, toxic gases (e.g. CO), and any other gases identified by the risk assessment

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