Chapter 11
SAFE MOVEMENT ON BOARD SHIP
General advice to seafarers: Seafarers and others on board must take care for their own health and safety in moving around the ship and in particular, must cooperate with any measures put in place for their safety.
Seafarers must take care as they move about the ship. The following list identifies points which are often overlooked:
· Seafarers should watch out for tripping hazards, and protrusions such as pipes, framing, etc.
· The possibility of a sudden or heavy roll of the ship should always be borne in mind.
· Suitable footwear should be worn that will protect toes against accidental stubbing and falling loads, will afford a good hold on deck and give firm support while using ladders. Extra care should be taken when using ladders whilst wearing sea boots.
· It is dangerous to swing on or vault over stair rails, guardrails or pipes.
· Injuries are often caused by jumping off hatches, etc.
· Manholes and other deck accesses should be kept closed when not being used; guardrails should be erected and warning signs posted when they are open.
· Spillage of oil, grease, soapy water, etc. should be cleaned up as soon as practicable.
· Areas made slippery by snow, ice or water should be treated with sand or some other suitable substance.
· The presence of temporary obstacles should be indicated by appropriate warning signs.
· Litter and loose objects (e.g. tools) should be cleared up.
· Wires and ropes should be coiled and stowed.
· Lifelines should be rigged securely across open decks in rough weather.
· Stairways and ladders are usually at a steeper angle than is normal ashore.
· Ladders should be secured and ladder steps kept in good condition; care should be taken when using ladders and gangways providing access to or about the vessel, particularly when wearing gloves.
· The means of access to firefighting equipment, emergency escape routes, and watertight doors should never be obstructed.
Que: What factors are considered for Safe movement aboard a ship?
Chapter 12
NOISE, VIBRATION AND OTHER PHYSICAL AGENTS
Basically, this deals with harmful noise levels and vibrations.
As a simple guide, there may be a problem if:
· seafarers have to shout to be clearly heard by someone only 2 meters away;
· seafarers’ ears are still ringing after leaving the workplace;
· seafarers are using equipment that causes loud explosive noises, such as cartridge-operated tools or guns;
· seafarers are exposed to high-level impact noise from hammering on metal benches, chipping machines or metal endplates on the decks of roll-on/roll-off ferry vessel ramps;
· there is machinery such as diesel engines, generators, etc. running in a confined space like a ship’s engine room;
· seafarers not engaged in the provision of entertainment (e.g. waiters) have to enter or remain in noisy areas such as discos and nightclubs on cruise ships whilst carrying out their duties.
Que: What Harmful noise levels may be expected on a ship?