Sad state of affairs…
At 2:15 p.m. on December 7, 2023, an employee working as a pipefitter for a shipyard was tasked to inspect JP5 tanks to ensure they were safe for a permit required confined space entry and then assist with troubleshooting a repair connection. The employee entered a tank and was overcome by lack of oxygen cause by argon gas. The employee died due to asphyxiation.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard, CVN-77, JP5 tank 8-104-3-J: On or about December 07, 2023, Naval competent persons were using MSA Altair 5XiR gas detection meters with the audible alarm taped and calibrated with expired gases exposing them to hazardous atmospheres and death.
Norfolk Naval Shipyard, CVN-77, JP5 tank 8-104-3-J: On or about December 07, 2023, a Naval Competent Person tested a layered atmosphere without using a drop test or inserting probes or hoses prior to entry into the tank resulting in the employee being exposed to an oxygen deficient environment.
This event resulted in a fatality of the “competent person” assigned to assess the PRCS. He entered the space and died from Oxy-Defiency from Argon.
Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/establishment.violation_detail?id=1715495.015&citation_id=01002
