The Hong Kong Marine Department has issued an information note about a fatal accident that happened on a Hong Kong registered general cargo ship caused by semi-coke cargo. Two stevedores and one bulldozer operator were found collapsed inside the stair trunk after they entered the enclosed space without following the proper procedures. The cause of death was due to the oxygen depletion atmosphere inside the stair trunk.
This incident draws the attention of the shipping industry to the dangers associated with the characteristics of semi-coke cargo. Parties concerned should treat the space inside stair trunk to cargo hold as an enclosed space and take appropriate safety precautionary measures before entering such space.
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