Chapter 18
PROVISION, CARE AND USE OF WORK EQUIPMENT
All seafarers must have training to use or supervise work equipment and must be aware of risks involved.
Seafarers specifically designated to carry out repairs, modifications, maintenance or servicing to work equipment, or who supervise such work, also need adequate training for that purpose.
Duty of seafarers: All seafarers must comply fully with all instructions or training in respect of the use of any work equipment. No seafarer should operate any item of work equipment unless they are trained, and authorized.
Dangerous parts of work equipment: Every dangerous or exposed working part of work equipment is provided with appropriate guards or protection devices. Such guards or protection devices must be maintained and/or replaced as necessary.
All guards or protection devices provided should:
· be of substantial construction;
· not give rise to any additional hazard;
· not be easily removed;
· be situated at a sufficient distance from the danger zone;
· not restrict the view of the operator of the equipment more than is necessary; and
· be so constructed that they allow operations necessary to fit or replace parts and for the carrying out of maintenance work, but restrict access the work area.
A DANGER ZONE means the zone within or around work equipment where the presence of a seafarer would expose them to risk.
Hand tools: Damaged or worn tools are NOT used. Cutting edges of tools MUST be kept sharp and clean. Repairs of the tools must be done by a competent person.
Wherever practicable, a tool in use should be directed away from the body, so that if it slips it does not cause injury. However, when using a spanner more control is gained by pulling towards the body. When using a tool with a cutting edge, both hands should be kept behind the blade.
A chisel is best held between thumb and base of index finger with thumb and fingers straight, with palm of hand facing towards the hammer blow.
A saw should not be forced through the material being cut: it should be pushed with a light, even movement.
Portable power-operated tools and equipment: Power-operated equipment is dangerous unless properly maintained, handled and used, and must be operated by trained persons. Before work begins, personnel should ensure that power supply leads and hoses are in good condition, laid safely clear of all obstructions and do not obstruct safe passage.
The risk of electric shock is increased by perspiration.
When it is not practicable to use low voltage tools, other precautions are taken by using special shockproof MCBs.
The risk associated with portable electric tools also applies to portable electric lamps.
Indoor tools should not be used on ships outside the accommodation because water can provide a contact between live parts and the casing, increasing the risk of a fatal shock
Chain linkages or similar devices should be fitted between sections of pneumatic hose to prevent whiplash in the event of breakage. Alternatively, safety valves that close off the lines can be used.
Accessories and tool pieces (drill bits, chisel, etc.) should be absolutely secure in the tool. In particular, retaining springs, clamps, locking levers and other built-in safety devices on pneumatic tools should be replaced after the tool piece is changed. Accessories and tool pieces should not be changed while the tool is connected to a power source.
Correct safety guards should be securely fixed to appliances requiring them and should be checked for security before starting any operation. Such guards should only be removed when the equipment is not operating.
If removal whilst operating is essential for maintenance or examination of the equipment, the following precautions should be taken:
· Removal should be authorized by a responsible person, and only a competent person should carry out the work or examination.
· There should be adequate clear space and lighting for the work to be done.
· Anyone working close to the machinery should be told what the risks are and instructed in a safe system of work and precautions to take.
· A warning notice should be conspicuously posted.
During temporary interruptions to work (e.g. meal breaks, and on completion of a task), equipment should be isolated from power sources and left safely or stowed away correctly.
When a work operation causes high noise levels, hearing protection should be worn. When flying particles may be produced, the face and eyes should be protected.
The vibration caused by reciprocating tools (pneumatic drills, hammers, chisels, etc.) or high-speed rotating tools can give rise to a permanent disablement of the hands known as ‘dead’ or ‘white’ fingers. Seafarers should be advised not to use them for more than 30 minutes without a break.
Workshop and bench machines (fixed installations): Fixed installations should only be operated by trained personnel. The operator should check a machine every time before use, and ensure that all safety guards and devices are in position and operative, that all tool pieces (drill bits, cutting blades, etc.) are in good condition, and that the work area is adequately lit and free from clutter.
No machine should be used when a guard or safety device is missing, incorrectly adjusted or defective, or when it is itself in any way faulty. If any defect is identified, the machine should be isolated from its power source until it is repaired.
During operations, personnel should ensure that work pieces are correctly secured in position, and that machine residues (swarf, sandings, etc.) do not build up excessively and are disposed of in a correct and safe manner.
Whenever machinery is left unattended, even if only briefly, the power supply should be switched off and isolated, and the machinery and any safety guards should be rechecked before resuming work.
Abrasive wheels: Abrasive wheels should be selected, mounted and used only by trained persons and in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions. They are relatively fragile and should be stored and handled with care.
Manufacturers’ instructions should be followed on the selection of the correct type of wheel for the job in hand.
Before a wheel is mounted, it should be brushed clean and closely inspected to ensure that it has not been damaged in storage or transit.
A wheel should not be mounted on a machine for which it is unsuitable
The speed of the spindle should not exceed the stated maximum permissible speed of the wheel.
A strong guard, enclosing as much of the wheel as possible, should be provided and kept in position at every abrasive wheel, both to contain wheel parts in the event of a burst and to prevent an operator having contact with the wheel.
The side of a wheel should not be used for grinding: it is particularly dangerous when the wheel is appreciably worn. Use appropriate wheels/discs for the job.
The work piece should never be held in a cloth or pliers.
Eye protection should always be worn for grinding operations.
Hydraulic/pneumatic/high-pressure jetting equipment: Seafarers using hydraulic/pneumatic/high-pressure systems should have received adequate training and be competent to use such equipment. Manufacturers’ operating guidelines should be followed at all times. Equipment should not be operated at pressures that exceed manufacturers’ recommendations.
Before starting work, seafarers should ensure that the equipment and supply systems are in sound condition, and that incorporated safety devices are in place and functioning correctly. Where equipment is defective or suspect, systems should be shut down, isolated and depressurized to allow effective replacement or repair. Such repairs should only be carried out by authorized competent personnel using approved components.
Before activating a pressure system, and also when closing it down, the recommended checks should be made to ensure that no air pockets (Air locks) or trapped pressure are in the system, because these may cause erratic action of the equipment.
When handling hydraulic fluid, personnel should ensure that:
· the correct grade is used when topping up systems;
· spillages are cleaned up immediately;
· any splashes of such fluid onto skin areas are cleaned off immediately – many such fluids are mineral based;
· naked lights are kept away from equipment during service/test periods – hydraulic fluids may give off vapours that may be flammable.
In the event of a high-pressure release of oil, air or any other substance that penetrates the skin, medical advice should be sought immediately. This can result in “Blood Poisoning”.
Seafarers using high-pressure jetting equipment should wear the correct protective equipment. Warning notices should be displayed on approaches to areas where such work is being undertaken to warn other seafarers of the use of a high-pressure system in the area.
When compressed air is used, the pressure should be kept no higher than is necessary to undertake the work satisfactorily.
Compressed air should not be directed at any part of a person’s body. Do not use it to clean your body.
Hydraulic jacks: Jacks should be inspected before use to ensure that they are in a sound condition and that the oil in the reservoir reaches the minimum recommended level.
Before a jack is operated, care should be taken to ensure that it has an adequate lifting capability for the work for which it is to be used, and that its foundation is level and of adequate strength.
Jacks should be applied only to the recommended or safe jacking points on equipment.
Equipment under which seafarers are required to work should be properly supported with chocks, wedges or by other safe means – never by jacks alone. Jacks can FAIL.
Jack operating handles should be removed if possible when not required to be in position for raising or lowering the jack.
BULLDOG GRIPS
· The use of bulldog grips is discouraged, and they must not be used on lifting wires or mooring wires.
· Do not use where the rope is likely to be subjected to very strong vibrations.
· Do not use with plastic-coated wire rope.
· It is important that where bulldog grips are used, they are installed correctly as per the manufacturer’s instructions.