SAFE AND UNSAFE

WORKING
PRACTICES
ONBOARD SHIP
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1.1 SUITABLE
SAFETY
EQUIPMENT
Safety equipment must be available and should
be worn. This may include:
high-visibility clothing;
life-jackets and/or ‘dry suits’;
gloves;
overalls;
non-slip and anti-static footwear (usually with
toe protection);
safety helmets;
intrinsically safe (IS) torch or working light
(equipment that is safe to use in a flammable
atmosphere).

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 personal alert safety system alarm (contains motion sensors and
indicates when a person is unconscious);

ENTERING multi-gas alarm personal monitor (detects noxious gases);

intrinsically safe (IS) radio/communications line;

CONFINED confined space rescue equipment (compressed-air breathing

apparatus);

SPACES safety harness and lifeline and location line;

manual and automatic resuscitation system (MARS).
 This section contains guidance on how to board vessels safely. The legislation
requires the master of a vessel to provide safe means of getting on and off the
ship for anyone with legitimate business on board. This includes customs
officers carrying out their duties.

2. ACCESS TO Access to vessels will normally be provided by the accommodation ladder or

gangway, which must be safely secured. Where the gangway crosses water,
VESSELS safety nets should also be in place.

You must never attempt to board a vessel until you are sure it is safe to do so.
Ladders or gangways are often slippery or iced-up. Non-slip safety footwear will
reduce the risk of an accident, but you should still take care — particularly if it
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is dark. In addition to the guidance below, you should also read the section on
working at heights.
 2.1 BOARDING
FROM THE QUAY
When you board a vessel from the quayside, you should use the
accommodation ladder or gangway provided. Before using them,
check that:
the gangway or ladder is properly rigged and secured;
it is deployed at a safe angle and extends one metre above where
you are going;
the safety nets are in place if you are crossing over water;
if you are boarding a roll-on/roll-off ferry, you should do so via
the gangway unless the vehicle ramps are the only means of
access;
where the ship’s decks are below the level of the quay, access
equipment should be provided on the vessel. Do not try to jump
on board — you might slip or fall;
remember that in tidal locations the vessel might rise or fall
between your arrival and departure so the access might have
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changed, e.g. be steeper or not reach properly. If in doubt, ask
the master or the deck officer responsible to make it secure.
 2.2 BOARDING FROM
ANOTHER VESSEL
Boarding one vessel from another can be particularly hazardous. Try
to avoid it if at all possible. Never attempt this if a vessel is moving.
Where it is necessary, it is normally the responsibility of the ship
lying outboard (i.e. furthest from the dockside) to provide safe
access to the other vessel. The only exception is where the outboard
vessel has a much lower freeboard (i.e. the deck is much lower, so
access would involve climbing), in which case the vessel with the
higher freeboard is responsible for giving you safe access. This will
usually involve using rope ladders and is the only time you should
use them for gaining access. Don’t try to climb a rope ladder unless
you have been shown how to do so safely.

Remember: you must always wear a lifejacket when boarding one

vessel from another, and take extreme care — particularly in poor
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weather.
 2.3 USING LADDERS
Do not use a portable ladder to gain access to a vessel. However, if
you need to use one for another reason, it must be of good
construction, well-maintained and of adequate strength (ladders
marked ‘For domestic use’ must not be used). Also take the following
safety precautions:
secure the ladder at both ends to prevent slipping;
make sure it extends at least one metre above the place you are
trying to get to and keep both hands free while climbing;
attach tools to a tool belt and store other equipment in a bag
carried over your shoulder;
always face the ladder when climbing or descending;
and move one rung at a time.
Take extra care if you are wearing safety clothing such as a lifejacket
or hard hat in case they catch on the rungs.

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 2.4 PERSONNEL CARRIERS
Personnel carriers are occasionally used by staff who board mobile
off-shore drilling units. These are one of the more hazardous means
of access and must be used only by people who have been specially
trained. The oil industry can help with training any official staff who
are likely to use personnel carriers. Any operations involving use of
personnel carriers must be well planned and closely supervised. If
you are to board a mobile off-shore drilling unit by this method, you
should:
understand how the transfer is to take place and be satisfied it is
safe;
wear a lifejacket and any other safety clothing you or your
manager consider necessary;
make sure that the standby vessel and rescue boat are in
attendance;
obey all instructions given to you by the person supervising the
transfer.
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This type of boarding must not take place in poor (stormy) weather.
 Several hazards are common to all areas of vessels. Insects are very resilient and
can be found almost anywhere, rats have been found in holds and soiled items can
be dropped by people in all areas and should not be touched without gloves.

3. WORKING
Ship’s equipment: Never attempt to examine any equipment on board until you
have consulted a responsible officer. Unskilled interference with safety equipment,
navigational apparatus or electrical systems can affect the seaworthiness of the
ON BOARD vessel, jeopardising the safety of the passengers and crew. You would be
committing a criminal offence.

Passenger areas and crew quarters: When searching these areas, be wary of sharp
objects which may be secreted in the upholstery. If you move any safety Page 06
equipment, e.g. lifejackets, you must put it back before you leave the vessel.
 Stowage compartments and lockers: Beware of hazardous chemicals and equipment. Look first and
request assistance from the crew if you are not sure what the area contains.

Toilets: As well as presenting potential health hazards, in the form of discarded hypodermic needles, etc.,
toilets might contain corrosive cleaning chemicals and disinfectants. If you need to search these areas,

3. WORKING
wear appropriate safety clothing and equipment, particularly gloves, and wash your hands immediately
afterwards.

ON BOARD
Galleys: Electrical cooking equipment operates at high voltages and could be very hot. Beware of broken
glass, etc. in rubbish bags and bins. Some vessels are equipped with galley lifts. These are particularly
dangerous and should not be used for gaining access.

(CONT.) Holds: Holds can be particularly dangerous, especially if loading or unloading is in progress. Seek
permission before entering. Wear appropriate safety clothing and a safety helmet. Take great care as the
cargo may have shifted during the voyage, particularly if the sea has been rough. Page 06
3.1 WHAT ARE THE HAZARDS?

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 Hazard Countermeasure

Working alone: Avoid working alone, but if you have to,

Working alone: There is a danger that, when working alone, maintain good communications with someone responsible for
you might become trapped or injured and be unable to call checking on your safety and always notify someone else of your
for assistance. intentions and location before you start. Remember to check
your radio before leaving the office.

Lighting: If adequate light is not available, e.g. by opening

Lighting: It is the responsibility of the vessel’s master to
hatches or doorways, a suitable IS torch or working light may be
provide adequate lighting — but this is not always possible.
used.

Slips and falls: Wear appropriate anti-static non-slip

Slips and falls: The deck of the vessel might be wet or coated shoes/boots. Pay particular attention in the vicinity of deck
with oil or fish residues which add to the risk of slipping. machinery, where lubricants may be spilt, or if leaking cargo is
identified.

Machinery: Keep well away from moving machinery and wear

high-visibility clothing and a safety helmet. Remember: the
Machinery: A variety of machinery may be in use when the
operator may have a limited view, particularly in the hold. You
vessel is berthed, including:ventilation
must observe any instructions from officers or crew.Remember:
equipment;generators;winches;cargo-moving machinery,
in tidal basins the ship’s mooring lines may require frequent
including fork-lift trucks, cranes, conveyors or elevators. Page 11
adjustment using winches. Keep well away from these
operations

Asbestos: Modern vessels should not contain
any hazardous asbestos, but older vessels
may contain asbestos as fire-proofing or
thermal insulation.
Ship’s equipment: You may be offered the
chance to use safety equipment supplied by
the vessel. However, you should not do so
unless you have been trained how to use it
and are satisfied that it is in working order.
Cold stores: Cold stores may have self-locking
mechanisms and may contain a special
atmosphere to preserve the goods. They are
often maintained at -25 °C or lower.
Asbestos: Pay particular attention when on older
vessels or vessels registered in countries with
lower standards. Do not disturb any pipe-lagging
or insulation. If you consider there may be a risk,
leave the area immediately and notify the
master.
Ship’s equipment: It should not be necessary to
use equipment supplied by the master of the
vessel. If needed, official equipment should
always be used — with the appropriate training.
Cold stores:Always station someone outside the
door to call for assistance if you get into
difficulty.Check that there is adequate oxygen and
that there are no other hazardous gases in the
store before you enter.Wear insulation clothing to
protect you from the cold.Limit the amount of time
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you spend in the cold store to make sure your core
body temperature does not drop too low.
 Contact with oils and other spills: If you see a spillage
or leak from a container, check to see if it has been
identified. Unless it has been absolutely ruled safe by a
competent person, withdraw immediately and notify
Contact with oils and other spills: You
the master. Avoid all contact with spills even if they
might come across oil spills or leaking
are deemed safe, as you may suffer a skin reaction.
cargo. The oil or cargo could be hazardous, Seek proper medical attention if any symptoms
either by contact or by inhalation. occur.Remember: even chemicals that are safe on
their own may react together (or with atmospheric
water vapour) releasing toxic fumes or giving off
sufficient heat to cause injury or start a fire.

Excessive noise: Many items of noisy machinery

may be at work on a vessel even when it is Excessive noise: You should assess the risk and limit
exposure or use ear-defenders. Prolonged exposure to even
berthed, including:ventilation
moderate noise levels can damage hearing.Remember:
equipment;generators;winches;cargo-moving
excessive noise can hinder communication and reduce your
machinery, including fork-lift trucks, cranes, awareness of other hazards.
conveyors or elevators. Page 11
 Confined spaces: As mentioned earlier,
confined spaces on board ships, including:
Confined spaces: Never enter any confined spaces
ballast tanks,
without the appropriate training and equipment. A
storage lockers,
risk assessment should always be carried out and
cargo holds and tanks, and permission sought from the master or the deck officer
engine and machinery rooms in charge before you enter any confined space.
can pose a wide range of hazards,
including toxic fumes and substances.

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