1.

1 Suitable safety equipment

Safety equipment must be available and should be worn. This may include:

 high-visibility clothing;
 life-jackets and/or ‘dry suits’;
 gloves;
 overalls;
 non-slip and anti-static footwear (usually with toe protection);
 safety helmets;
 intrinsically safe (IS) torch or working light (equipment that is safe to use
in a flammable atmosphere).

If you have to enter confined spaces, additional specialist equipment (and training
to use it) will be needed, including:

 personal alert safety system alarm (contains motion sensors and

indicates when a person is unconscious);
 multi-gas alarm personal monitor (detects noxious gases);
 intrinsically safe (IS) radio/communications line;
 confined space rescue equipment (compressed-air breathing apparatus);
 safety harness and lifeline and location line;
 manual and automatic resuscitation system (MARS).

3. Working on board
Several hazards are common to all areas of vessels. Insects are very resilient and
can be found almost anywhere, rats have been found in holds and soiled items can
be dropped by people in all areas and should not be touched without gloves.

Ship’s equipment: Never attempt to examine any equipment on board until

you have consulted a responsible officer. Unskilled interference with safety
equipment, navigational apparatus or electrical systems can affect the
seaworthiness of the vessel, jeopardising the safety of the passengers and
crew. You would be committing a criminal offence.

Passenger areas and crew quarters: When searching these areas, be wary of sharp
objects which may be secreted in the upholstery. If you move any safety
equipment, e.g. lifejackets, you must put it back before you leave the vessel.

Stowage compartments and lockers: Beware of hazardous chemicals and

equipment. Look first and request assistance from the crew if you are not sure what
the area contains.

Toilets: As well as presenting potential health hazards, in the form of discarded

hypodermic needles, etc., toilets might contain corrosive cleaning chemicals and
disinfectants. If you need to search these areas, wear appropriate safety clothing
and equipment, particularly gloves, and wash your hands immediately afterwards.

Galleys: Electrical cooking equipment operates at high voltages and could be very
hot. Beware of broken glass, etc. in rubbish bags and bins. Some vessels are
equipped with galley lifts. These are particularly dangerous and should not be used
for gaining access.

Holds: Holds can be particularly dangerous, especially if loading or unloading is in

progress. Seek permission before entering. Wear appropriate safety clothing and a
safety helmet. Take great care as the cargo may have shifted during the voyage,
particularly if the sea has been rough.

3.1 What are the hazards?

Hazards on board vessels range in severity. You should only examine and sample
cargo on a vessel when there is no alternative. Comprehensive training is required
before entering some environments. You should never commence work without
informing the master of the vessel or the deck officer responsible.

Some of the major hazards are listed below:

Hazard Countermeasure
Working alone: There is a danger that, when working alone, you might Working
become trapped or injured and be unable to call for assistance. alone: Avoid
working alone, but
if you have to,
maintain good
communications
with someone
responsible for
checking on your
safety and always
notify someone
else of your
intentions and
location before you
start. Remember to
 check your radio
before leaving the
office.
Lighting: It is the responsibility of the vessel’s master to provide adequate Lighting: If
lighting — but this is not always possible. adequate light is
not available, e.g.
by opening hatches
or doorways, a
suitable IS torch or
working light may
be used.
Slips and falls: The deck of the vessel might be wet or coated with oil or Slips and
fish residues which add to the risk of slipping. falls: Wear
appropriate anti-
static non-slip
shoes/boots. Pay
particular attention
in the vicinity of
deck machinery,
where lubricants
may be spilt, or if
leaking cargo is
identified.
Machinery: A variety of machinery may be in use when the vessel is Machinery: Keep
berthed, including: well away from
moving machinery
 ventilation equipment; and wear high-
 generators; visibility clothing
and a safety
 winches;
helmet.
 cargo-moving machinery, including fork-lift trucks, cranes, Remember: the
conveyors or elevators. operator may have
a limited view,
particularly in the
hold. You must
observe any
instructions from
officers or crew.
Remember: in tidal
basins the ship’s
mooring lines may
require frequent
adjustment using
winches. Keep
 well away from
these operations.
Asbestos: Modern vessels should not contain any hazardous asbestos, but Asbestos: Pay
older vessels may contain asbestos as fire-proofing or thermal insulation. particular attention
when on older
vessels or vessels
registered in
countries with
lower standards.
Do not disturb any
pipe-lagging or
insulation. If you
consider there may
be a risk, leave the
area immediately
and notify the
master.
Ship’s equipment: You may be offered the chance to use safety equipment Ship’s
supplied by the vessel. However, you should not do so unless you have equipment: It
been trained how to use it and are satisfied that it is in working order. should not be
necessary to use
equipment
supplied by the
master of the
vessel. If needed,
official equipment
should always be
used — with the
appropriate
training.
Cold stores: Cold stores may have self-locking mechanisms and may Cold stores:
contain a special atmosphere to preserve the goods. They are often
maintained at -25 °C or lower.  Always
station
someone
outside the
door to call
for
assistance
if you get
into
difficulty.
 Check that
there is
 adequate
oxygen and
that there
are no
other
hazardous
gases in the
store before
you enter.
 Wear
insulation
clothing to
protect you
from the
cold.
 Limit the
amount of
time you
spend in
the cold
store to
make sure
your core
body
temperature
does not
drop too
low.

Contact with oils and other spills: You might come across oil spills or Contact with oils
leaking cargo. The oil or cargo could be hazardous, either by contact or by and other spills: If
inhalation. you see a spillage
or leak from a
container, check to
see if it has been
identified. Unless
it has been
absolutely ruled
safe by a
competent person,
withdraw
immediately and
notify the master.
Avoid all contact
with spills even if
they are deemed
 safe, as you may
suffer a skin
reaction. Seek
proper medical
attention if any
symptoms occur.
Remember: even
chemicals that
are safe on their
own may react
together (or with
atmospheric
water vapour)
releasing toxic
fumes or giving
off sufficient heat
to cause injury or
start a fire.
Excessive noise: Many items of noisy machinery may be at work on a Excessive
vessel even when it is berthed, including: noise: You should
assess the risk and
 ventilation equipment; limit exposure or
 generators; use ear-defenders.
Prolonged
 winches;
exposure to even
 cargo-moving machinery, including fork-lift trucks, cranes, moderate noise
conveyors or elevators. levels can damage
hearing.
Remember:
excessive noise
can hinder
communication
and reduce your
awareness of
other hazards.
Confined spaces: As mentioned earlier, confined spaces on board ships, Confined
including: spaces: Never
enter any
 ballast tanks, confined spaces
 storage lockers, without the
 cargo holds and tanks, and
appropriate
training and
 engine and machinery rooms equipment. A risk
can pose a wide range of hazards, including toxic fumes and substances. assessment should
always be carried
 out and permission
sought from the
master or the deck
officer in charge
before you enter
any confined
space.

2.3 Using ladders

Do not use a portable ladder to gain access to a vessel. However, if you need to use
one for another reason, it must be of good construction, well-maintained and of
adequate strength (ladders marked ‘For domestic use’ must not be used). Also take
the following safety precautions:

 secure the ladder at both ends to prevent slipping;

 make sure it extends at least one metre above the place you are trying
to get to and keep both hands free while climbing;
 attach tools to a tool belt and store other equipment in a bag carried
over your shoulder;
 always face the ladder when climbing or descending;
 and move one rung at a time.
 SEAMANSHIP 1
RESEARCH WORK
(FINAL)

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Stock keeping

Paint application
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Surface Preparation
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