Guidelines on Working Aloft or Over side on board Ships

What do you mean by Aloft work?

Aloft work: - Means a work being performed at a height above 2 meter of any Deck
on board ship and involving risk of falling, resulting in an injury.

Occasions: - 1. Radar repairing/repairing/maintenance on main mast.

2. Electric/welding/painting/maintenance on main mast/funnel or

Tools and Equipment required for working: -

1. Bosun Chair: - A bosun's chair (or boatswain's chair) is

a device used to suspend a person from a rope to perform work
aloft. Originally just a short plank (Dimensions should be Length
60mm X Breadth 20mm X Thickness 2mm)

2. Gant line: - More than 16mm Polypropylene rope

used to sustain bosun’s chair of sufficient length.

3. D Shackle: - 4 in number “D” Shackles used for fixing blocks

on fitting on height.

4. Blocks: - 2 in number blocks separate for bosun chair and life

line
5. Safety Net: - use for rig down below the Bosun chair to person
falling down.

6. Safety Harness: - For personnel safety prevent from falling.

7. Tool belt/Box: - use carrying tools on height.

8. Safe working permit form: - to obtain work permit from safety

officer.

9. Tags:- to post notice to prevent accident.

10. Lock: - to lockdown the switch board/ system operating panel.

11. Working Tools: - Tools with lanyard for working on height.

12. Snooter/Wire Sling: - For fixing block with available fitting on height.

Rigging Arrangement:-

1. First of all, you have to reach to location where you want to work with proper
safety.
2. Then fix snooter and block with D shackle on strong anchor point.
3. Attach gant line with bosun chair with double sheet bend
4. Reeve gant line through block and hoist bosun chair, tie other end of gant line
on strong anchor point.
5. Then rig/ fix safety net down below the bosun chair that should on separate
strong anchor point.

Hazards Involved

1. Falling from a height on ships deck.

2. Personal Injury whilst working on the Mast.
3. Personal injury by falling objects.
4. Fines/ Protests incurred due to non-compliance with Port Regulations
 SAMPLE CHECKLIST FOR WORKING AT HEIGHTS

This checklist provides the basic requirements for working safely at heights.
Occupiers and employers should ensure and maintain a safe working environment
for working at heights.

Sl.No Items Yes No Remarks

1. Every open side or opening into or through which a person may fall
is covered or guarded by an effective barrier to prevent falls.

2. Where covers are used for openings, are these covers securely fixed
to prevent accidental displacement?

3. Every open side of a staircase is provided with a substantial handrail

and lower rail or other effective means and maintained.

4. Every open side of a staircase is provided with a substantial handrail

and lower rail or other effective means and maintained.

5. Where any work at height is to be carried out, is safe means of

access to and egress provided?

6. Is there a Fall Prevention Plan (FPP) developed and implemented?

7. Where hazardous work at height is carried out, is a permit-to-work

(PTW) for hazardous work at height available and implemented?

8. Has risk assessment (RA) been conducted and are safe work
procedures (SWP) developed for the works?

9. Are the hazards and risk control measures communicated to all

workers?

10. Have all workers received the necessary instruction, information and
training for them to perform work at heights?

11. Is there adequate supervision to ensure that safe work practices for
working at heights are in place?

12. Is sufficient and secured anchorage provided?

13. Are workers instructed on the proper method to wear and use the
safety harness or restraint belt, as well as attach it to the lifeline or
anchorage point?

14. Are the anchorage and anchorage line of the travel restraint system
or fall arrest system inspected by a competent person before use by
the workers?

15. Is every ladder and step-ladder used of good construction, sound

material and adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used?

16. Where formwork erection, dismantling or shifting is to be carried out,

is a method statement, safe work procedures and risk assessment
for the works available?

17. At the fixed edge of the formwork structure, is the open side guarded
by effective means to prevent falls?

18. Are persons involved in formwork (i.e. formwork supervisor,

formwork workers) adequately trained?

Guidelines/safety Precautions
As a general rule, personnel should not be permitted to work Aloft work when the
vessel is underway unless it is absolutely necessary and as determined by the
Master.

1. Personnel under training shall not be assigned aloft or over side related jobs.
2. The power source to potential hazards such as ships whistle, radar, etc. should
be isolated from their power source and accidental activation prevented by the
use of warning signs and / or removal of fuses)
3. The area below the workspace should be, as far as possible cordoned off to
prevent injury to passer-by due to falling debris / accidental dropping of objects.
4. Equipment to be used by the personnel working aloft or over side should be
securely housed in tool belts / bags. Tools / equipment that cannot be carried
on a person should be hoisted to the place of work in secure containers.
5. Only equipment and ropes in good order should be used. Ladders must be
safely secured against slippage. Securing points should be of adequate
strength.
6. Personal protection gear such as work harnesses, helmets, goggles, gloves
appropriate to the job being executed should be used by personnel involved in
working aloft / over side.
7. Upon completion of the jobs, all equipment must be removed from the site and
warning notices / isolated systems restored to normal condition.
Concerned personnel must be notified of completion of the job.
 8. The Permit should contain a clear indication as to its maximum period of
validity. (Usually, shall not exceed one day /24 Hours)
9. Working Aloft or Over side is considered to be a Critical Operation.

Control Measures to be taken while working Aloft

1. Proper PPE shall be donned at all times.

2. All equipment and ropes to be used for the job shall be thoroughly inspected.
(Stages, Ropes used for fixing staging, ropes used as lifelines, Safety Harness,
Lines used for securing tools and the Ladder).
3. Adequate non-skid shoes to be worn.
4. Ensure area is clear of any slipping hazard.
5. Harness and lifeline to be used at all times.
6. All concerned personnel to be informed.
7. Safety Line connected to the safety harness must have only sufficient slack to
allow for free movement of the personnel.
8. Weather / Vessels condition should be suitable for work.
9. Safety nets to be rigged were applicable.
10. Company-specific Working Aloft checklist to be complied with.
11. Follow safe practices as per COSWP.
12. Electrical connections shall be isolated prior to commencing work on electrical
components and EIC to be issued.
13. Display notices/ placards prohibiting the operation shall be placed at all
controls of Ships whistle, Radars, MH/HF device as applicable.
14. Sufficient personnel to attend the person working aloft at all times.
15. Whilst lowering any objects, safety lines/ buckets to be used.
16. Prior lowering any objects, ensure that all personnel in space are clear
underneath.
17. If Painting is to be carried out within the jurisdiction of any port, approval must
first be sought from the port Authorities.
18. Before working aloft, it's important to make sure you have the correct permit-
to-work. have performed a risk assessment and that you consider any
potential hazards (this could include bad weather or strong currents). It's also
safe practice to inform crewmates of your plans to carry out such work, both
verbally and by putting warning signs in place, and to ensure any equipment
nearby (such as the whistle, funnel, radar scanner or radio antenna) is
switched off and made safe.
19. It is vital that all equipment and tools are examined prior to commencing work, to
ensure they are of the right quality and in good condition.