An experienced process industry worker entered a nitrogen tank and was overcome by lack of oxygen. He died before he could be rescued.

He disobeyed safety regulations. He entered a confined space with a hazardous atmosphere without adequate protection. He had been told that no work should proceed when the system is charged with nitrogen. He opened the access hatch of the nitrogen vessel. He was apparently trying to repair the level probe. As he started to reset the probe, he was overcome by lack of oxygen and fell into the vessel, landing on the baffle plates.

The coroner’s jury investigating this case suggested the access hatch should have an alarm which goes off when it is opened, alerting others to attempted entries. An in-house rescue team with life-saving equipment and a manual emergency alarm system in any potentially dangerous area were also recommended.