Worker deaths in confined spaces

Therefore, the owner decided to install the portal at the bottom. In connection to this, he consulted a contractor who gave him the cost estimates of installing the access portal at the bottom of the tank.
The contractor after carrying out his assessment told the owner of the tank that it has to be drained, and all the sludge removed before he puts the access portal. The owner of the tank, therefore, directed his supervisor to get the tank ready for the contractor.
On that fateful day, the supervisor and unskilled worker decided to get the job done. Therefore, the supervisor decided to rent self –contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). However, because the opening was small and since a ladder could not be used the supervisor decided to use a rope. In addition, because the opening was so small it was decided that the worker get in with the SCBA loosely tied on his head. After a while, the supervisor saw the worker standing at the bottom of the tank, and then he directed him to get out, however, and there was no response. He then informed the facility manager who was just standing nearby. After that, a fire rescue team was called.
The firemen on arrival assessed the situation, however, because the access portal was so small that it could not allow a fireman who has all the protective gear to enter the tank, it was decided that the tank should be cut. This was where the problem because the rescue team was not aware that the liquid in the tank was toluene that is flammable. Despite that, the rescue team had put all the necessary precautions in place because there was a team that was pouring water on the sparks that were coming out. However, at the incident, the fire explosion occurred the firemen who were pouring water stopped, and it is at that particular time that the explosion occurred.
In conclusion, the authors noted that the company had no confined space entry procedures and that the supervisor had no relevant qualifications to be in charge of the direct confined space entry. In their recommendation, they noted that all the workers working in such facilities should be trained on confined entry procedures.