Lessons Learnt: 閉鎖空間における窒息事故

意識向上や規制強化が長年行われているにもかかわらず、閉鎖空間での死亡事故は依然として海運業界における主要な死亡原因の一つです。国際バルクターミナル協会（IBTA）の分析によると、2000年から2024年の25年間で1,010名が死亡しており、そのうち700名（69%）が乗組員、310名（31%）が陸上作業員でした。多くの事故は、酸素欠乏や窒息が原因となっています。

これを受けて、IMOの海事安全委員会は2025年6月に「船舶における閉鎖空間立入りに関する改定勧告」を決議MSC.581(110)として採択しました。主な変更点には、ISM会社の関与強化、船舶ごとのリスク評価と登録簿の義務化、新しい定義（例：接続空間・隣接空間）の導入、CO₂濃度の上限設定、一人での立入りの禁止、ならびに担当者に対する訓練強化が含まれます。

本動画は、適切な安全対策を講じずに貨物倉に入った結果、3名の船員が死亡した実際の事故に基づいており、閉鎖空間への立入りが依然として人的・運用上の重大なリスクであることを示しています。

動画本編は英語版ですが、日本語、中国語、スペイン語の字幕付きでもご覧いただけます。

Despite years of awareness and regulatory efforts, enclosed space related fatalities remain one of the leading causes of death on ships. Based on the analysis done by the International Bulk Terminals Association (IBTA), at least 1010 ship and shore workers have lost their lives in the 25-year period between 2000 and 2024. Of those who died, 700 (69%) were crew members, and 310 (31%) were shore workers. These figures cover all types of enclosed space fatalities, arising from various causes. This video, however, focuses specifically on fatalities caused by oxygen depletion and asphyxiation, which continue to account for a significant proportion of deaths during enclosed space entry. Consequently, in June 2025, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee in its 110^th session (MSC-110), adopted resolution MSC.581(110) on Revised recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships. The key changes to the resolution are as follows:

• Highlighted the active involvement of the ISM Company;
• Minor changes and improvements to definitions;
• Removed the prescriptive example of enclosed spaces, but emphasized the need for ship-by-ship risk assessments to designate spaces, which requires involvement of the ISM Company. As part of the risk assessment process, an enclosed space register should be maintained;
• Introduced the concepts of “connected space” and “adjacent space”;
• Emphasised the shipper’s responsibility to provide cargo information and the support by the ISM Company;
• Set a maximum CO2 limit of 0.5% (5,000 ppm) and devices for testing CO2 should be used;
• Single-person entry into enclosed spaces is no longer permitted;
• Established compatibility with SOLAS requirements (e.g., Regulation III/19 – Emergency training and drills) and provided supplemental information to support the SOLAS requirements; and
• Proper training for competent persons (management level officers who can fill in the permit to work) and responsible persons (junior officers with operational level competency).

This animation is based on a real-life incident, where three seafarers tragically lost their lives due to asphyxiation after entering a cargo hold containing scrap metal without proper precautions. Through this video, we aim to highlight the human factors that continue to make enclosed space entry a persistent and deadly risk in shipping.

Watch the video here:

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