Specialist Hazard Control Solutions Kept Workers Safe During Vessel Maintenance of a Hunt Class Minesweeper

Case Study Overview

Between 1980 and 1989, 13 Hunt Class minesweepers and minehunters were commissioned, and eight remain in service with the UK's Royal Navy.

At 750t displacement, 60m length, 10.5m beam and 2.2m draught, the Hunt Class are the largest warships made of glass reinforced plastic (GRP). The GRP construction contributes to the vessel’s very low magnetic signature, which is required for mine countermeasures operations. Vessels undergo regular Fleet Time Service Periods, which is a short-term maintenance programme to maintain technical specifications of the ship, avoid unwanted accidents or emergencies, and protect the ship's productivity

Challenge

A vessel was due to undergo planned maintenance repairs, but because Minesweepers primarily consist of a glass reinforced plastic hull, this meant that the works could present harmful health hazards. GRP dust is created during activities such as drilling, grinding and sanding, and if the dust is inhaled, it can cause fluid to collect in the lungs and create respiratory irritation. It can also cause skin irritation. Other health hazards that need to be managed include zinc dust, which is created when repairing areas of the vessel covered in paint and coatings, this dust is combustible and an irritant. When styrene is used during repairs, if the fume is not controlled, it can affect vision, hearing loss, concentration, and balance.

There was also the challenge of maintenance works taking place in confined areas inside the vessel. This posed the risk of workers experiencing loss of consciousness or asphyxiation caused by inhaling toxic fume or vapour, or from oxygen deficiency.

Solution

For this project, RAVEX® Wandafilta Plus Kits were installed with twin VENTEX® 300M Centrifugal fans to extract dust and fume at the source. We filtered to H14 (HEPA) standard, which will capture an impressive 99.99% of 0.3-micrometer air particles, so out of 1,000,000 air particles, only 10 particles will not be captured. This system created a negative pressure, so fumes and dust could not migrate into other areas of the vessel.

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