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Poisoning hazards and first aid treatment onboard chemical tankers

The poison is a very toxic substance which when absorbed into the
human body by ingestion, skin absorption, or inhalation produces a
serious or fatal effect. Poison may enter the human body orally, by
inhalation, or by skin contact. After being absorbed by the body it may
affect certain organs or give a general poisonous effect. Lately the
cancerogene effects of some industrial chemicals have been noticed. This
has led to significant reductions of hereto accepted TLV- values in many
countries.

Certain substances affect the tissues locally as an irritant (cashew nut

shell oil) or cause grave damage to the eyes, skin or mucous membranes
(e g strong acids and caustic). Other substances may be absorbed by
contact to the skin without local effects (e g nitrobenzene, aniline).

Gases, in themselves non-poisonous, may be dangerous by their

displacement of air (e g nitrogen as an inert gas in cargo tanks). The
effect of a substance also depends on the temperature, its solubility in
water or (skin) fat, its volatility etc. Chlorinated hydrocarbons (e g
tetrachloride and chloroform) may cause damage to kidneys and liver
after prolonged exposures.

Symptoms of poisoning may appear many hours after contact with the
substance. Typical examples are poisoning from nitrous gases, and
methanol ( oral intake). The reason for the delay being that the
decomposition products rather than the original product are toxic.
Common symptoms of poisoning are: nausea, headache, dizziness,
difficult breathing, unconsciousness.

The human body often reacts very differently to acute and chronical
poisoning. (Acute poisoning - one contact with the poison, usually high
dose or strong concentration. Chronical poisoning - small doses or low
concentrations over a long time). E g benzene causes reduced
conscoiusness in acute poisoning but causes blood and bone marrow
damage in chronical poisoning.

Certain chemicals may cause sensitizing upon first contact. Later

contacts with the same chemical, even at lower concentrations, may
cause much stronger poisonous effects. Typical in this respect are
isocyanates ( e g toluene diisocyanates) where astmathic -affects on
sensitized persons may occur below TLV- value.

First aid treatment

All cases of poisoning, regardless of which kind of poison, require certain

basic common methods of treatment. Additionally, a few particular cases
of poisonous substances may require antidotes.

After a severe acute case of poisoning involving unconsciousness:

Bring the patient as soon as possible out into the fresh air. Rescue
personnel must not take undue risks themselves, don't therefore rush
down into tanks or pumprooms where vapour may be present- Too many
fatalities have occurred with people who have not realised that a
breathing apparatus was needed. First, keep the breathing passages free
(prevent the tongue from falling back). An unconscious person should be
laid on his side, face down, with one arm and one leg bent to prevent him
from rolling over. Loosen the clothes around the neck and waist and
remove false teeth.

Mouth to mouth artificial breathing may be necessary (avoid mouth to

mouth contact with severely poisoned or contaminated patients as the
rescuer may then be at risk). Heart massage may be necessary.

If the patient's condition does not apparently involve immediate risk for
his life the following measures are applicable:

After inhalation: The patient to be brought into fresh air with as little
effort and strain to himself as possible, Undue strain on the patient may
affect him adversely later. Even if the patient is free of all symptoms he
should be kept quiet and rest as some gases have delayed effects
(nitrogen oxides in combustion inert gas, nitrous gases). Keep the
patient in a comfortable inclined sitting position (if unconsciousness
does not prevent it).

After splash in the eyes: Immediately wash the eyes in gently flowing
water, in a washbasin, in a jug or a special plastic eye bath with a bottle
of water. The eyelids may have to be forced open and the patient told to
move the eyes in order that all parts will be thoroughly rinsed out.
Washing out the eyes may be very painful and pain-relief eye drops can
be used. Continue to wash for another 10-15 minutes. In case of acids or
alkalies (caustic) the washing must be repeated for a couple of minutes
every 15-30 min for the next 4-5 hours, preferably with a NaCl (table)
salt solution (0, 7 - 0, 9 %). A sterilising eye ointment should be applied
several times during the day.
In case of acids and alkalies: obtain medical advice!

After skin contact: Regardless of product

the area should be rinsed liberally with
water, clean sea water can be
used.Soiled clothes, rings, watches,
shoes etc must be taken off. Wash the
area thoroughly with soap and water.
Also products which do not disolve in
water will be partly removed by washing
in soapwater. (Poison dissolved in the
skin fat will then be washed off).

After swallowing: If the patient is

unaffected give him a couple of glasses
of liquid to drink for dilution of the
poison, preferably water (never any
alcoholic drink). After intake of alkalies
Fig: Chemical suit
(caustic) a drink of lemon juice can be
given, or a 1 '76 solution of acetic acid.
If available give medicine coal which absorbes a number of poisons and
which in itself is harmless (30-60 crushed coal tablets or coal granulate
in some water). Make the patient vomit, NOT, however, in the case of
corroding (acids or caustic) products or oil products like kerosenes,
gasoline, jet fuels, when vomiting may be life-threatening. Dilution of the
stomach contents, however, is important. In case of doubt: do not cause
the patient to vomit.
Vomiting can be caused by giving warm salt water (one table spoon of
salt to one glass of water). Then by putting two fingers down the throat
and moving them about gently vomiting usually follows.

After certain products antidotes should be given. The most likely cargo
for which an antidote may have to be used is acrylonitrile ("AN") and
acetone cyanohydrine. The remedy then is to douse some clean rag with
an ampoule of amyl nitrite from the medicine kit and hold it under the
patient's nose 5 times with 15 s interval.

Oxygen should be administered in cases of weak breathing. It is an IMO

Code requirement to have oxygen resuscitation equipment on board.

In cases of poisoning medical advice should be sought as soon as

possible, e.g through the various radiomedical" services. While at sea
also contact the shipper, who usually possesses a good knowledge of the
product and its after effects.

Related Info

1. Toxicology and associated hazards onboard chemical tankers

Toxicity is the ability of a substance, when inhaled, ingested, or

absorbed by the skin, to cause damage to living tissue, impairment
of the central nervous system, severe illness or, in extreme cases,
 death. The amounts of exposure required to produce these results
vary widely with the nature of the substance and the duration of
exposure to it. ....

2. Hazards of vapour given off by a flammable liquid while carrying at

sea

Vapour given off by a flammable liquid will burn when ignited

provided it is mixed with certain proportions of air, or more
accurately with the oxygen in air. But if there is too little or too
much vapour compared to the air, so that the vapour-and-air
mixture is either too lean or too rich, it will not burn. ....

3. Reactivity of various noxious liquid chemicals

Self-reaction: The most common form of self-reaction is

polymerisation. Polymerisation generally results in the conversion
of gases or liquids into viscous liquids or solids. It may be a slow,
natural process which only degrades the product without posing
any safety hazards to the ship or the crew, or it may be a rapid,
exothermic reaction evolving large amounts of heat and gases. .....

4. Most corrosive chemicals carried onboard chemical tankers

Acids, anhydrides and alkalis are among the most commonly

carried corrosive substances. They can rapidly destroy human
tissue and cause irreparable damage. They can also corrode normal
ship construction materials, and create a safety hazard for a ship.....

5. Posoning hazards & first aid treatment

The poison is a very toxic substance which when absorbed into the
human body by ingestion, skin absorption, or inhalation produces a
serious or fatal effect. Poison may enter the human body orally, by
inhalation, or by skin contact. After being absorbed by the body it
may affect certain organs or give a general poisonous effect. Lately
the cancerogene effects of some industrial chemicals have been
noticed. This has led to significant reductions of hereto accepted
TLV- values in many countries.....
6. Specific gravity,Vapour pressure and boiling point,Electrostatic
charging & measuring Viscosity
Tanks on a Chemical Tanker are normally designed to load cargoes
 of a higher specific gravity than an oil tanker. Very often the design
strength differs between groups of tanks on the same ship. ....

7. General precautions onboard chemical tankers

Additional precautions for specific cargoes are necessary and

should also be incorporated in the ship’s cargo handling
procedures....

8. Mooring precautions onboard chemical tankers

The consequences of a chemical tanker ranging along a jetty or

breaking away from a berth could be disastrous, especially during a
cargo transfer involving multiple different chemicals. Correct and
sufficient mooring is therefore of the utmost importance.

9. Berth precautions onboard chemical tankers

If an unauthorised craft comes alongside or operates in an area

which may create a danger, it should be reported to the port
authority and, if necessary, cargo transfer operations should cease.
.....

10. Cold weather countermeasures, avoiding electric storms

During cold weather, precautions should be taken to prevent

equipment and systems from freezing. Attention should be given to
pneumatic valves and control systems, fire lines and hydrants,
steam driven equipment, cargo heating systems, pressure/vacuum
valves etc......

11. Restriction on using radio equipments and other mobile devices in

cargo working areas

During medium and high frequency radio transmissions significant

energy is radiated, which can create a danger of incendive sparking
by inducing an electrical potential in unearthed steelwork.

12. Securing cargo tank lids and required safety precautions

Improper closing and sealing of cargo tank hatches can be a major

cause of cargo contamination. A properly closed and sealed tank
 hatch/opening will prevent sea water ingress and maintain a
positive pressure Nitrogen blanket in the ullage space. ....

13. Means of access (gangways or accommodation ladders) safety

precautions

Emergency towing-off wires ( fire wires) ,Ship’s readiness to move

Deckhouses and superstructures safety precautions .....

14. Precautions against static electricity

Static electricity is generated by friction that occurs between

different materials during relative motion. Electrostatic charges can
then accumulate in materials which are poor conductors of
electricity or which are good conductors but are insulated.....

15. Cargo tank entry safety precautions

On chemical tankers the entry of personnel into cargo tanks is a

more common practice than on oil tankers as a result of the
requirement for inspections between grades etc; despite this, it is
essential that the necessary checks are conscientiously made and
recorded prior to entry in order to ensure the safety of personnel,
enclosed space rescue equipment must be made ready for
immediate use. .....

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