Maritime Loss Prevention:. A severe incident described in this loss prevention report involved a crew member who sustained major burn injuries. The report identifies the unauthorised use of non-approved portable electrical equipment in hazardous onboard areas as the operational vulnerability.
The control point comes before anyone enters the deck work area or pump room. Phones, smartwatches, power banks, e-cigarettes, torches and cameras may all be carried there. Standard consumer equipment has neither explosion-proof containment nor energy-limiting circuitry.
ISGOTT sets a clear threshold: portable electrical or electronic equipment entering a potentially flammable atmosphere must be intrinsically safe or specifically approved for that zone.
The practical barrier is a physical check before entry. Personal electronics remain in the accommodation, while equipment needed for the job is checked for complete Ex marking and zone approval.
At the next deck or pump-room entry, can every device being carried in be positively identified as approved for that zone?
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