One dead, others harmed in barge incident
One person died this morning after losing consciousness in a tank on a barge located near Pockwood Pond, according to the police.
BVI News understands that the deceased, whose identity is not yet known, was exposed to toxic chemicals around the time of their death.
According to a statement from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, three others are also experiencing respiratory issues related to the same incident.
The police said the others had also lost consciousness for a time but have since awakened.
They are receiving treatment at the Dr. D Orlando Smith Hospital.
No other details are available at this time.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Like the men was overtaken by some type of poisonous gas or something. The owner of the barge is responsible for his workers safety. Those men was exposed to some type of toxic fumes.
Too dam suspicious if that was so dangerous what is it doing in the bvi to have the guys walking in and dropping down.That mean they did not know poison on the barge
It’s called Carbon Monoxide poisoning! How’s that suspicious?
Money oooooo
Such a tragedy. Rest in peace to the fallen one and speedy recovery to the others. Let’s keep them and their families in our prayers.
1. Open unventilated closed tank for one hour before entering.
2. Wear fresh air breathing apparatus with a full tank of fresh air and the full face mask. Do not breathe the fumes, gases or toxins in the tank atmosphere.
3. Ventilate the now open tank with powerful fans until tank is certified gas free by the inspector using nitrogen, Oxygen and toxic gas detectors.
Apparently this simple standard procedure was not followed on this barge.
Seems like this could have been a classic case of confined space entry whereby the unfortunate victim entered into a space with little or no ventilation as a result of which developed either an oxygen deficient or a toxic atmoshere. This has been a well known issue in the marine industry that has been associated with numerous fatalities over decades. The procedure is to recognize the existence of confined spaces, to develop written entry and emergency procedures, to test confined spaces before entry with a properly calibrated equipment before and during entry, and at a minimum not permit entry unless the air tests safe through ventilation. This requires training of employees . Relying on respiratory protection such of supplied air breathing apparatus comes with its own issues (proper use training, equipment maintenance, limited duration of entry, and complications to rescue if required). Better to ventilate, and best to blow air in (rather than sucking it out) and to keep testing. In the end, a totally avoidable tragedy had there been considertion for worker health and safety as required by the BVI Labor Code as amended in 2012
CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO INSTAL A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR IN YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS PLACE.
in a box removes all oxygen. Pure negligence or horrible accident.