PALAWAN POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE, INC.

Manalo Extension, Barangay Milagrosa

Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
TeleFax: 048-434-2393
Basic Education Department

SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

GRADE 12

MODULE: 7
INTRODUCTION TO MARITIME
SAFETY
 OBSERVANCE OF SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

IMPORTANCE OF OBSERVING SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

Lesson: Safe Working Practices

SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Safe working practices are an integral part of any task or operation on board. It is so vital
for ship operation that the system is laid in the context of safety instead of work processes. This
is done to make sure that safety is always upheld and prioritized
The system commonly known as safety management system (SMS) is being implemented
not only on board but on all fields of work to ensure that there is a safety net in any work
environment. In the maritime industry, the International Maritime Organization adopted the
system and outlined it on the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
In the preamble to the ISM Code, the IMO states, "The cornerstone of good safety
management is commitment from the top. In matters of safety and pollution prevention, it is the
commitment, competence, attitude, and motivation of individuals at all levels that determine the
end result.”
SMS is an integral component or the ISM Code as it underlines all the important policies,
practices, and procedures that are to be followed to ensure safety of crew and cargo. Because of
this, all vessels are required to establish safe working practices. With the establishment of the
SMS, there is now a unified safety system that guides the safe conduct of works on board. This
ultimately helps standardize safety procedures and protocols implemented and commended by
the IMO, classification societies, and concerned maritime organizations.

SAFE WORKING PRACTICES

In the SMS, the safe working practices are given great importance especially when it
comes to the: (1) dangerous works; (2) proactive measures; (3) safety procedures; and (4) best
practices.
The goal of best working practice is for the seafarers to be safety conscious while
efficiently executing the task. With this, the shipping industry continuously makes innovative
ways for the safe and effective execution of the various operations on board. Improvements
could be seen through technological advances, work procedures, work ethics, regulations, among
others.
Improvements vary greatly from ship to ship, but because of the frequent threats to life on
board, there are common work procedures that help eliminate, if not lessen, the danger posed by
the working environment.
Here are some of the most common work procedures.
Risk Assessment
According to International Maritime Organization, risk is the combination of the
frequency and the severity of the consequence, Risk assessment, on other hand, is a process of
mitigating the effects of risk by limiting the possibility of reoccurrence (frequency) and lowering
the impact of the dangerous outcome (consequence).
The risk assessment process starts way before the start of the job or task. Because of this,
it is also considered as a proactive measure because the process anticipates possible risks that can
happen before the actual task starts.
The risk assessment is comprised of three basic steps, although other versions might have
more.
1. Identification of hazards
2. Recognition of possible risks
3. Utilization of preventive measures
If used properly, the risk assessment is a very powerful process to mitigate hazards and
risks.

Checklist
The checklist is an integral part of the work process on board. This is document acts as a
simple and easy way to make sure that actions are taken to ensure the safe work process of the
job. As with any other checklist, the crew or team assigned to the task must go through the list,
and if that item is already prepared or executed, a check mark ( ) is drawn. Some of the
common items in the checklist are the following:
Is the personal protective equipment (PPE) available and in good working condition?
Is/are the _______ turned off/switched off/isolated/locked/sealed, etc.?
Has the weather forecast been consulted?
Is the work location prepared and ready? 8
Are the following tools or equipment available and in good working condition?
Are the emergency equipment prepared and ready?

Unfortunately, because of the checklist's simple nature, many seafarers do not take the
document seriously. To ensure that every item in the checklist is taken into consideration, some
company procedure requires another crew usually the supervising officer, to double-check and
countersign the document.
Work Permit
A permit is a document that underlines the job and the crew being authorized by the
master and or the company. The reason tasks or operations on board need this kind of
authorization is that it includes high risk or complicated processes to name some. In this
document, all of the crew involved in the job should sign the document and cannot involve
someone who has not signed.
Another important aspect of the work permit is the authorization for the time duration of
the task. It is important for the scheduled time to be followed. Most of the tasks that involve
permit need a lot of cooperation from different departments on board. Machineries and
equipment could be shut down or isolated and daily operations could possibly be put at halt to
accommodate the special nature of the task.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Gears, tools, and equipment that are used to protect the crew during the execution of the
task are a vital part of safe working practices. The purpose of personal protective equipment is to
reduce the crew's exposure to hazards when engineering and administrative controls, among
others, are not possible or effective to reduce the risks to acceptable levels.
All shipping companies and any work industries that involve high risks on work
processes now imply the use of these protective equipment. It is also one of the main campaigns
of the ISM Code.
Although using PPE to some extent protects the wearer, they do not, however prevent or
eliminate the presence of the risk. PPE have the serious limitation of not completely protecting
the crew from risk exposure and may just increase the exposure if not used properly. For
example, the hard hat or helmet can protect the wearer to some extent, or a body harness, when
improperly worn, could result in injuries when the wearer falls from an elevated platform.
However, the PPE could be very effective when used with other control measures. PPE
vary depending on the work nature. Nonetheless, there are basic protections that are used on
daily operations. The following are some examples.
 The hard hat or helmet protects the head when there is possibility of falling materials or
the work location is too narrow that bumping the head is unavoidable. Straps should be
put on as well to prevent the hard hat from accidentally falling especially when working
on high location or working on deck where there are strong winds.
 The filter mask is used when working with paint or chemicals. This gear prevents the
hazardous gases from entering the respiratory system. There are different kinds of masks
for different chemicals, so using the appropriate one for the job is essential. Another type
of mask is the dust mask. This mask cannot be used when dealing with hazardous gases.

 Gloves protect the hands from any kind of exposure. There are also different kinds of
gloves. Cotton is used for daily work; leather for mooring operation and rope handling:
rubber for chemicals and harmful solutions; and a special kind of mask for handling
electrical works.

 Goggles are used to protect the eyes from various elements like dust, sea breeze, wind,
accidental chemical splashes, etc. The construction of the equipment provides maximum
protection as it completely shields the eyes from elements.

 Safety shoes are an important part of daily work gears. The shoes are specifically tailored
to protect the wearer from many accidents that the feet might be exposed to. The outer
covering is made of leather that prevents absorption. They also have a very thick and
serrated sole for effective grip and to enhance friction. The tip is reinforced with steel to
protect the feet from heavy falling objects. The rubber boots are also used to avoid
getting wet while the winter boots to preserve heat and protect the feet from freezing
temperature.

 The body harness is a body strap used to protect the wearer from falling when the hook is
latched. Many years before, a safety belt with hooks was used when working on high and
elevated location. However many incidents are recorded that falling with the safety belt
on will ultimately prevent the wearer from falling but will also cause extensive fracture
and bone dislocation, leaving the wearer in some instances invalid. The body harness,
however, has more support structure protecting the wearer's back. Nowadays, there are
some advanced body harnesses capable of absorbing the shock of the fall and transferring
it to a flexible hook similar to a budge jumper's safety line.
 The coverall or boiler suit is a protective suit that is worn by the crew during work. The
suit covers the whole body except for the head, hands, and feet. The garment protects the
wearer from burning surfaces, scratches and weather. Another important feature of the
suit is that its colouring is highly visible. Reflective patches are also incorporated in the
design as these reflect light and are highly useful during night-time or in poorly
illuminated locations.

 Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is a device that could provide breathable air.
Unlike any device that also provides air, this device is not dependent on a remote supply.
The air is compressed and stored in a cylindrical tank that could be carried like a back-
pack. The air is released by opening the regulator and is connected to a face mask. Some
types of SCBA can start the release of air by simply breathing in with the mask on. This
type is called a demand type regulator wherein the negative pressure inside the mask
when breathing in automatically opens the tank and releases air

 Multi gas detector is a device that detects the amount of oxygen and other toxic gases in
the atmosphere. There are two kinds of detector in use -the portable handheld type and
the box type. Both have different functions when entering the enclosed space. The box
type is used as a preparatory measure to gauge the makeup of the atmosphere inside. The
detector box is attached to a hose that is dropped inside the enclosed space to read the
composition of air on different levels especially if the space is massive.
The handheld type is used during entering the enclosed space. The detector is
attached to the chest pocket and must be turned on for the entire duration the crew is
inside the space. The detector gives an audible alarm when the oxygen is depleted beyond
the safe value or when toxic gases go up to critical levels. To guarantee efficiency, users
must ensure that both types are fully charged.

Portable Multi Gas Detector

  Portable ventilators. Some spaces are not installed with ventilation system as originally
there is no use of ventilating such spaces. However, these places will be entered at some
point for inspection or maintenance purposes. When this happens, a portable ventilator is
used to supply outside air to the enclosed space. Because it is portable, it could be carried
to any locations on board. Normally powered by electricity, it is replaced by a pressurized
air-powered type when it is too dangerous for electrically powered equipment to be used
in close proximity to highly volatile gases.

DANG EROUS WORKS AND UNSA FE PRACTICES

Doing dangerous works forms a daily and accepted work environment on board. The
ship's environment is composed of machinery that is constantly moving due to the nature of its
purpose; same as a bus or an airplane, it is built to be mobile. And even at a stop, the ship is
constantly moving because of its location; it floats on a liquid surface causing it to constantly
move. This unique working environment creates many dangers because simply we, as humans,
are not used to a constantly moving environment.
Other dangerous works expose the body to varying and extreme temperature-from the
engine room that could average to 40°C on normal condition to working on an exposed location
during winter where temperature could drop to -20°C.
Other working conditions would require seafarers to work on the ship's exterior shell
called the hull or on the highest point of the vessel to do paint jobs or even go down a 20-meter
long ladder to the cargo hold. Also, entering spaces with little to no oxygen or enclosed spaces
with high level of dangerous fumes is just part of a day-to-day activity on board.
With the magnitude of risks faced by seafarers every day, you might think extra safety
precautions are put into place and are seriously followed. However, the case is the opposite. In
the safety management system, there is an extensive safety procedure that underlines almost
every imaginable risk on board but on the actual work process. These safety procedures are
sometimes taken for granted because of complacency or by the high work demand.
Because of the many pressures to finish different tasks on board, unsafe practices begin
to thrive. Risks are not identified, and if identified, they are not controlled because the control
measures are seen as an additional job. Taking work shortcuts are regarded as efficient work
measures because following the proper procedure can be time-consuming. Accidents are
becoming an accepted way of working on board.
Because of these misconceptions, many companies and maritime organizations underline
the creation of extra measures to prevent continuous unsafe practices. On the following pages are
some of the work processes that involve high risks together with the suggested safe working
practices and PPE to use to prevent such risks.
High Location and Overside
Working on elevated location is a routine job on board. Elevation or high location does
not only refer to going up but also going down, for example, entering a cargo compartment 8
storeys deep. Working over the side is more difficult to perform. In the absence of a platform, a
makeshift platform called the bosun's chair is used. Having no experience on how to rig and land
the bosun's chair is very dangerous.

Risk
 Danger of falling
Safe working practices
 When using ladders, make sure the ladder is certificated and quality- approved. Look for
defects and dents as these significantly affect the strength of the ladder. Also, make sure
to secure the ladder on both sides to prevent it from falling.
 Monitor the weather forecast as change in wind speed could increase risks when working
on high exposed location. This is the same as rain and humidity as these make surfaces
wet or damp, making it dangerous to work.
 Limit the frequency of going up and down the ladder as it increases chances of falling.
Thus, make sure tools and equipment to be used are complete before going up. Also,
avoid putting tools in pockets as they may accidentally fall. Put them in a toolbox or
container, and use a rope to heave it up and down rather than carrying them during
climbing up and down.
PPE
 Body harness
 Helmet or hard hat
 Cotton gloves
 Safety shoes
 Goggles
 Coverall

Enclosed Space Entry

An enclosed space refers to any space where movement of air is very minimal, thus
making the environment oxygen deprived. Aside from oxygen depletion, the enclosed space can
also develop toxic gasses due to cargo residues or simply because of leaking of pipelines that
contain gases or oils
 Illumination is also a problem as most of these spaces are not tended to be illuminated.
The entry to the enclosed space is also a big problem as it could be steep like a tunnel, either
going vertically or horizontally
Because of the considerable number of risks when entering an enclosed space, a lot of
safety preparations are being done to ensure that risks could be avoided or lessened.

Risks
 Suffocation, asphyxiation, or inhalation of toxic fumes
 Slips, trips, and falls
 Heat exhaustion
 Cuts and lacerations due to sharp edges
Safe working practice
 Always do the checklist and risk assessment, and secure work permit. These documents
ensure that all preparations are being executed.
 Emergency equipment should be on standby for possible rescue. Illuminate the enclosed
space as much as possible.
 Ventilate the space for at least 6 hours before entry. Make sure that the air is able to
circulate effectively by opening another exit to create an exhaust.
 Check the atmosphere if the oxygen level is sufficient and the toxic gases are
manageable. Check again the atmosphere after ventilation.
 Check the temperature level as it affects the quality of breathable air.
 Limit the entering party as much as possible.
 Make sure that there is an effective means of communication from outside to inside party
and vice versa.
 Post a lookout on the outside of the entrance point to continually monitor the party inside.
PPE
 Coverall
 Safety shoes
 Helmet
 Gloves
 Multigas detector
 Headlight or flashlight
 Portable radio
 Body harness
 Portable ventilators
 Emergency equipment on standby
 SCBA
 Stretcher
 Lifting device for recovery

Hot Works and Welding

This task refers to any work that uses or generates heat and fire. Hot works and welding
normally happens on a designated area like the workshop on the engine room. This space is
equipped with fireproofing capabilities and equipment. However, if the task calls for this kind of
procedures outside the workshop, a permit should be requested by the working team and
approved by the department head and the Master and in some cases, by the company.

Risks
 Burns due to the sparks emitted
 Sore eye due to the smoke produced by the welding equipment
 Explosion due to gas leakage
 Fire due to sparks landing on combustible materials
 Cuts due to cutting and grinding tools
Safe working practices
 Always secure work permit as there are designated locations for hot works and welding
procedure. On board, the engine workshop designated location for hot works and
welding.
 If working outside of the workshop, make sure the area is free combustible materials.
 Only authorized, trained, and accredited personnel could use the welding machine.
 If working on an unventilated or enclosed space, use a filtering mask.
 Check the tools and equipment for any defects or deterioration
PPE
 Face shield
 Leather gloves
 Coverall
 Safety shoes
 Filtering mask
Mooring
Mooring refers to the process of securing the ship or any watercraft to an invulnerable
structure specifically, in this context, a berth. Mooring operation is one of the most dangerous
operations on board. Although dangerous, it is a shipboard process that is unavoidable due to the
nature of the job. Ships must be secured when loading and unloading cargoes to prevent them
from moving constantly. To secure the ship, big ropes or mooring lines are used, averagely the
size of your arms, to tie the ship to the berth. These lines are loosened and tightened by
mechanical winches, but securing them to a post is done manually Because of the complexity
and strenuous nature of the task, accidents are bound to happen if safety procedures and good
working practices are not observed.

One of the most dangerous situations during mooring operation is when a crew is
standing within the recoiling zone of the mooring lines when they break. These zones are called
the snap-back zones. As these locations are not easy to identify, it becomes hard for the crew to
find a safe place to operate during mooring. Because of this, most ships paint or mark the deck to
identify where not to put your feet.

Risks
 Being hit, crushed, or dragged by the mooring line
 Being crushed or pinned by the rotating winch
 Feet being caught by the mooring line
 Blisters from handling mooring lines
Safe working practices
 Avoid tight mooring lines.
 Do not step on the mooring line even if it is not moving.
 Always be aware of the snapback zones.
 Do not rush or run.
 Always wear the complete PPE with consideration of the weather conditions.
 Always be attentive to hand signs as making verbal communication is difficult with so
many noises.
 Do not do anything uncertain. If in doubt, ask.
PPE
 Coverall
 Safety shoes
 Portable radio
 Leather gloves
 Helmet
Electrical Works
Almost all of the equipment on board are run through the use of electricity. To avoid any
electrical problems, routine checks are being done to ensure that critical equipment are
continuously running. Because of this routine check, it is sometimes taken for granted, and the
crew doing the checks, who is supposed to be the expert, ends up being electrocuted.
To the other occasions, electrocution happens due to ignorance of common electrical
safety procedures. On board, most electrical-related accidents happen inside the crew's personal
room or commonly known as cabin on shipboard context.

Risk
 Electrocution
Safe working practices
 Always unplug unused electrical equipment.
 Check the voltage of the outlet versus the equipment.
 Do not overload the outlet or do octopus connection.
 Do not tamper with or alter electrical lines and components.
 Avoid wetting electrical lines or outlets.
 Before tampering with electrical items, make sure they are turned off.
 When performing maintenance on electrical panels, use an electrical tester to examine if
the lines are electrically charged or not.
 Use rubber or leather gloves when doing electrical maintenance.
 When doing routine checks on electrical panels, make sure you are standing on rubber
matting as it will not conduct electricity.
PPE
 Coverall
 Safety shoes H
 Helmet
 Rubber or leather gloves
 Tester
Paint and Chemicals
Using paint and chemicals is an essential part of ship maintenance. Paints are used to coat
surfaces to prevent or delay rusting. The ship is made of metal, and the sea is charged with salt
that is a catalyst for rusting. Without the paint, the ship will not last long. However, the paint
itself is also a chemical on its own. Some paints are so harmful that it can cause respiratory
problem when inhaled and even cause skin irritation or, to greater extent, deterioration when
consistently exposed. Furthermore, paint has additives like thinner, hardener, and resins that
make it even more harmful.
Chemicals are used extensively compared to paints. Chemicals are used cleaning like detergents
and stain remover. Other acid-based chemicals are used to clean the toilet to disinfect it. And
disinfectants are one of the strongest forms of cleaning chemical agents. Bleach is also widely
used on board and, with repetitive skin exposure, could cause the skin to dry up. Other powerful
chemicals are used to clean machinery parts from dirt, oil, and soot. With the extensive use of
industrial grade chemicals on board, it is important to know how to handle all chemicals.
All chemical products have a document called material safety data sheet (MSDS) that
underlines the makeup of the chemical, the hazard it possess, and the safe handling procedure
and emergency procedure when exposed. This document is very important that it is required to
be posted where the chemical is stored for easy access and reference.

Risks
 Suffocation
 Respiratory problem
 Skin disease
 Blindness when accidentally splashed on the eye
Safe working practices
 Always read the precaution on the label and the MSDS.
 Do not atomize chemicals or use spray type as it enhances absorption thru inhalation.
 Open the exhaust fan or ventilate the area when drying paint.
 Put markings or caution note in areas where chemical evaporation is in progress.
 Use the proper gloves and appropriate filtering mask when handling chemicals and
paints.
 Use goggles or face shield especially when paint and chemical splash is highly possible.
 Do not transfer chemicals in other container as residue in the new container or the
container itself could create dangerous chemical reaction.
 Always put on the cap or seal the chemical containers after use to prevent accidental
inhalation.
 Adhere to the right mixing ratio and procedure when mixing chemicals.
PPE
 Coverall
 Safety shoes
 Helmet
 Rubber gloves
 Filter mask
 Goggles
Assessment.
I. Identify what are being asked in the following statements.

________________ 1. This is a protective suit that is worn by the crew during work.

________________ 2. This used to supply outside air to the enclosed space.

________________ 3. This gear prevents the hazardous gases from entering the respiratory
system.

________________ 4. This is a device that can provide breathable air.

________________ 5. These protect your hands from any kinds of exposure.

________________ 6. This gear is specially tailored to protect the wearer from many accidents
that the feet might be exposed to.

________________ 7. This is a device that detects the amount of oxygen and other toxic gases in
the atmosphere.

________________ 8. This used to protect the eyes from varied elements like dust, sea breeze,
wind, accidental chemical splashes, etc.
________________ 9. It protects your head when there is possibility of falling materials or the
work location is too narrow that bumping your head is
unavoidable.
________________10.This is a body strap used to protect the wearer from falling when the hook
is latched.
II. Fill out the table below. List all possible personal protective equipment and safety
devices that are essential when conducting the following dangerous works.

Dangerous Work Essential Personal Protective Equipment and Safety

Devices

1. Working on high
location and
overside

2. Being in an
enclosed space
entry

3. Doing hot works

and welding

4. Mooring

5. Doing electrical
works

6. Handling paint and

chemicals