Chapter 2
Safety Induction
This chapter introduces Safety. Central theme is already covered.
Chapter 3
Living on Board
Elements causing Accidents
FATIGUE:
- Fatigue interferes with thinking processes and cause accidents. Prevent it.
Preventing fatigue
- Ensure that everyone is rested at the start of work.
- Take scheduled rest periods.
- Use rest periods to get adequate, uninterrupted sleep (research suggests the body needs about 8 hours of sleep in each 24 hours in total).
- Eat regular, well-balanced meals, but eat lightly before sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine before sleep.
- Record hours of rest accurately, so that if there are workload pressures at particular times, this becomes apparent to management.
Que: How do you prevent Fatigue?
HOT and COLD climates
Both affect your work and Body. Body must be covered for both conditions and take measures to avoid dehydration. Skin must be protected by using various creams and sun blocks.
Cold weather-related injuries/conditions:
Frostbite/frostnip can damage the skin and tissue of the parts of the body that are left exposed to freezing temperatures. Extremities, specifically hands, feet, ears, nose and lips, are particularly vulnerable. Clothing that protects the extremities should be worn.
Hypothermia is caused when the body’s core temperature falls below 35°C (95°F) and is life threatening. It is usually caused by being in a cold environment such as being outdoors in cold conditions for a long period of time or falling into cold water.
Que: What risks are expected from exposure to Cold climates?
Working clothes:
Clothing should be appropriate for the working conditions. Working clothes should be close-fitting with no loose flaps, pockets or ties, which can catch up in moving parts of machinery or on obstructions or projections. If there is a risk of burning or scalding, as in galleys, clothing and shoes should adequately cover the body and material should be of low flammability, such as cotton.
Shirts or overalls provide better protection if they have long sleeves. Long sleeves should not be rolled up. Long hair should be tied back and covered. Industrial or safety footwear should be worn when appropriate.
Que: What are appropriate working clothes?
Shipboard housekeeping: Good housekeeping reduces accidents
- Good housekeeping is an essential element in promoting health and safety on board.
- Equipment and other items should be safely and securely stored. This ensures not only that defects are discovered but also that articles can be found when required.
- Fixtures and fittings should be properly maintained.
- All work and transit areas should be adequately lit.
- Electric circuits should not be overloaded, particularly in cabins.
- Garbage and waste materials should be cleared up and disposed of correctly and promptly.
- Doors and drawers should be properly secured.
- Emergency signage and fire and life-saving equipment should be kept clear at all times (Should not be obstructed for viewing).
- Instruction plates, notices and operating indicators should be kept clean and legible, and should not be obstructed by other items.
- Aerosols may have volatile and inflammable contents. DO NOT SMOKE WHILE USING ANY KIND OF AEROSOL SPRAYS (Including deo’s).
Que: How do you describe “Good house keeping on a ship”?
Substances hazardous to health
Many substances found on ships are capable of damaging the health of those exposed to them. They include not only recognised hazard substances, such as dangerous goods cargoes and asbestos, but also some maintenance and cleaning substances. For example, caustic soda and bleaching powders or liquids can burn or penetrate the skin. They may react dangerously with other substances and should never be mixed. Always treat unknown substances with caution. READ SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED WITH THE SUBSTANCES.
Common personal injuries
Hand injuries
Gloves are a sensible precaution with limitations.
Foot injuries
Unsuitable footwear (such as sandals, and flip-flops) gives little protection if there is a risk of burning or scalding, for example, and may lead to trips and falls. Care should be taken to keep feet away from moving machinery, bights of ropes and hawsers.
Eye injuries
Great care should be taken to protect the eyes. Appropriate protective goggles should be worn for any work involving sparks, chips of wood, paint or metal, and dangerous substances.
Head injuries
It is important to remember to duck when stepping over coamings, etc. to avoid hitting the head on the door frame, and head protection should be worn where appropriate.
Cuts
To avoid cuts, all sharp implements and objects should be handled with care. They should not be left lying around where someone may accidentally cut themselves. In the galley, sharp knives and choppers should not be mixed with other items for washing up but cleaned individually and stored in a safe place. Broken glass should be swept up carefully, not picked up by hand.
Burns and scalds
Burns and scalds are commonly caused by hot pipelines and stoves, as well as by fires. Every hot machine and every container of scalding liquid should be regarded as a hazard, capable of causing injury, and adequate precautions should be taken.
Faulty electrical equipment can cause severe burns as well as an electric shock. Equipment should be checked before use and if something appears wrong, it should be reported. DO NOT USE FAULTY EQUIPMENT.
Que: What are common personal injuries?
Misuse of tools
Injury can be caused by the misuse of tools. It is important always to use the correct tool for the job, and to make sure it is used in the right way. READ INSTRUCTION PROVIDED WITH TOOLS. Tools should never be left lying around where they can fall on someone or be tripped over. After a job is finished, they should be put away in a safe place.
Manual handling
It is easy to strain muscles when manual handling. Pulled muscles may be avoided if proper lifting techniques are used. CALL FOR HELP WITH HEAVY LOADS.
Mooring
Mooring and unmooring operations can result in potentially serious accidents. Personnel should never stand in the bight of a rope or near a rope under tension, and they should treat ropes on drums and bollards with the utmost care.
Electrical hazards
Unauthorized persons should not interfere with electrical fittings. No personal electrical appliance should be connected to the ship’s electrical supply without approval from a responsible officer.
Sunglasses
The bright light from the sun reflecting off the surface of a calm sea or from ice caps in the Polar regions, or from the vessel itself, can dazzle the seafarer and cause damage to the eyes.
In these conditions, seafarers working on the bridge or on the open deck should wear sunglasses, which are an important piece of protective equipment.
Rubbish collection
Items should never be removed by hand from the bin. DO NOT HANDLE RUBBISH/GARBAGE WITHOUT GLOVES.