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Som 1.2 Control of Substance Hazardous To Health (Coshh)
Som 1.2 Control of Substance Hazardous To Health (Coshh)
PURPOSE
The purpose of this procedure is to detail the procedure for Control of Substances Hazardous to
Health in accordance with Company practice in order to minimize risk of illness, personal injuries
and damage to the external environment.
SCOPE
This document describes the plan for managing hazardous material and procedures for storing,
handling and use of hazardous substances in COMPANY managed vessels and worksites.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Master
The Master shall be responsible for the implementation of this instruction and for ensuring that
statutory requirements, such as COSHH are complied with.
Safety Officer
The Safety Officer shall carry out spot checks to ensure that the relevant data is maintained and that
the necessary controls are implemented as defined in statutory specifications such as COSHH.
He/she will instigate worksite training and assessments on the use and risk to personnel of all
hazardous substances in conjunction with others, as deemed appropriate.
It is the Safety Officer responsibility to maintain and update files containing the register and MSDS
of chemicals on-board, and carrying out assessments on the use, risk to personnel, storage and
handling of all hazardous substances on the vessel.
It is the Safety Officer responsibility to ensure that a Material Safety Data Sheet (in the English
Language) have been received with each chemical/substance, and to check if the chemical is new to
the worksite. He shall also update the MSDS file onboard.
It is the Onshore Procurement Department’s responsibility to put a “hold” on any chemicals which
are to be sent to the vessel if MSDS (as required) is not available, or if the chemicals are not
properly labelled.
The Head of Department are responsible for ensuring that MSDS are available at the worksite for
the chemicals that they use. They shall ensure that their personnel are aware of the content in these
MSDS and the controls necessary for storage, use and handling of the substance are implemented
onboard.It is every person’s responsibility to follow the procedures and instructions, and use
compulsory personal protective equipment when handling hazardous substances.
All chemicals (except off the shelf aerosols) in use shall be evaluated for use to minimize any
environmental and safety risks to the environment and users. The evaluation and approval of the
use of chemical (including lubricants and oils) on shipboard shall be subjected to the following
considerations:
- Availability of proper storage area.
- Need to fulfill the operations requirement. (Are there any substitutes?)
- Hazard as stated in the MSDS.
- Availability of secondary containment or spill kit.
- Ease of disposal of wastes.
- Availability of permits (if applicable).
Storage areas of chemicals must be clearly marked with “CHEMICAL STORGE AREA” and
appropriate safety warning signage. All containers of the chemicals must be labeled clearly
showing the chemical names and hazardous signs. All transferring of chemicals must be done
within containment by either using an electrical pump, a manual hand pump or funnels. Personnel
handling chemicals must don the correct PPE at all times.
Company shall ensure that the exposure to chemical substances and products containing hazardous
substances is minimized. Below are a range of substances regarded as hazardous to health:
Substances or mixture of substances classified as dangerous to health
Substances with workplace exposure limits
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED
GP MARITIME PRIVATE LIMITED
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CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE HAZARDOUS PREPARED BY-DPA APPROVED BY- CEO
TO HEALTH (COSHH)
Biological agents (bacteria and other micro-organisms) – if they are directly connected with
the work or if the exposure is incidental to the work (e.g., exposure to bacteria from an air-
conditioning system that is not properly maintained)
Any kind of dust if its average concentration in the air exceeds the levels specified in COSHH
or respective applicable regulations
Any other substance which creates a risk to health, including: asphyxiates (i.e., gases such as
argon and helium, which, while not dangerous in themselves, can endanger life by reducing
the amount of oxygen available to breathe), pesticides, medicines, cosmetics or substances
produced in chemical processes.
The general principles governing safety precautions for hazardous substances are similar for all
classes of material.
They are based on controlled containment of the material in storage and in use, controlled release
and disposal of excess or unwanted material and protection in the event of accidental release.
Specific precautions will be stated on the label and/or in the applicable MSDS. Hazards and risks
associated with the use of chemicals should be controlled in a systematic manner with the
requirement to eliminate the hazard or risk wherever practicable. If it is NOT practicable to
eliminate the risks, then the risks need to be reduced through other means. The last level of control
is to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) against the risk. This latter approach does
nothing to minimize or alter the original risk, and any failure of the PPE exposes the wearer to the
full hazard potential. This is why the controls are referred to as the ‘hierarchy of controls’, as you
must start with the first control measure of elimination, and work downwards only if it is not
practicable to implement that control measure. Note that once the primary control measure has been
selected, then the use of various other control measures may be utilized to further reduce the risk to
an acceptable level
Radioactivity
Everything in the world is made up of atoms. Some atoms are unstable and change or decay, until
they become more stable, emitting their surplus energy as radiation. These atoms are called
radionuclides, and radioactivity is the spontaneous emission of radiation from the atomic nucleus.
Radionuclides are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat. Even our bodies
contain them. Many radionuclides were formed long before our own solar system came into
existence, while some are continually created in the Earth's atmosphere by the action of cosmic
rays.
b. preserving food
c. diagnosing disease and injury and (in larger doses) treating diseases like cancer
d. defense, in nuclear weapons, submarine propulsion and armour piercing shells
e. power generation.
When living tissue is exposed to ionizing radiation, it will absorb some of the radiation's energy and
may become damaged. This may lead to acute and/or chronic health effects such as cancer.
Radiation Injury
Unless adequate protective measures are taken during procedures requiring the use of radioactive
materials, it is probable that the specified dose limitations will be exceeded. In extreme cases,
severe injury may be caused to persons as a result of their exposure to radiation.
Injury due to radiation exposure may reveal itself within a few weeks, but some or all
manifestations of the injury may not appear for many years. Injuries may be caused in several ways:
a. The intensity of radiation from an unshielded source may be so high that, under the worst
conditions of exposure, a person could receive in a few hours, a dose of radiation which would
cause severe injury
b. Also, if a person accumulates a sufficiently large dose of radiation over all or part of his
working life, as perhaps, the result of a number of relatively small doses received over a long
period, he may still suffer injury.
c. All radiation doses to the testicles are a potential source of injury, both to the person receiving
the dose and to any later descendants of the exposed individual.
Protective Measures
There are three basic techniques that may be deployed to protect the individual who shall carry out
the radiography and others who may be affected by the work. The techniques are shielding,
increasing distance and / or reducing exposure time.
There are several methods available to achieve these protective measures which include the
following:
a. The radiography source should be fit for purpose and able to withstand all contingencies
which may arise
b. Protective equipment, including handling equipment, source container and radiation shields
should be sufficient to minimize doses and avoid accidental exposure
c. The design and construction of stores and radiography sites must be to effect minimal
radiation doses and avoid accidental exposure
d. Proper use of radiation measuring instruments and personal monitors to detect and assess
potential radiation hazards and measure personal doses
e. Display of adequate warning labels, notices and markings so that all potentially hazardous
areas and equipment are clearly defined
f. Formulation of and compliance with comprehensive safe working procedures including
working rules, emergency procedures and a method for accounting for sources
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED
GP MARITIME PRIVATE LIMITED
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CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE HAZARDOUS PREPARED BY-DPA APPROVED BY- CEO
TO HEALTH (COSHH)
g. Adequate instruction and training of all personnel involved in the use of radiation sources and
in the appropriate safety procedures
h. Allocation of responsibility in all aspects of the use of radiation sources
i. Maintenance of clear and adequate records of all relevant data.
Asbestos may be encountered on any of the worksites, therefore guidance and general information
must be available for personnel, if contact with asbestos is likely.
If planned work involves the removal, disturbance or handling of asbestos or asbestos based
materials, specialist procedures, equipment and personnel will be required to undertake this
operation.
The Master and / or Technical Superintendent are to be informed BEFORE any asbestos materials
are disturbed, to ascertain the enormity of the operation.
An asbestos register has been compiled for the worksites. The register shows the type and location
of all known asbestos on board.
However, it is possible that asbestos exists in other locations but was not detected during the
survey, and therefore does not appear on the register.
Asbestos is the common name given to a number of naturally occurring inorganic silicates with
complex compositions and of fibrous, crystalline structure. The three main types are listed below.
However, it is rarely possible to identify by color the type of asbestos present in a manufactured
product, and high temperatures (for example around the exhausts and hot water pipes of engines)
and ageing may change the color of certain types of asbestos.
a. Chrysotile (known as “white asbestos”) is the commonest type. It is a fine, silky, flexible,
white to grey/green fiber
b. Amosite (known as “brown asbestos”) is a straight, brittle, light grey to pale brown fiber
c. Crocidolite (known as “blue asbestos”) is a straight, flexible, fiber, lavender grey to bluish
green in colour.
d. All types of asbestos area risk to health. However, blue and brown asbestos are considered to
be especially harmful.
Health Hazards
Airborne asbestos fibers are dangerous. They may be present in air which looks dust free to the
naked eye. When fibers from materials containing asbestos are inhaled, they may penetrate to the
deepest part of the lung where they may cause diseases. Additionally, care should be taken that
asbestos fibers do not penetrate the skin where they may produce wart-like lumps—as far as is
known those lumps are not in themselves cause of alarm.
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED
GP MARITIME PRIVATE LIMITED
SHIPBOARD OPERATION MANUAL VER NO. :1/ 15/07/2023 PAGE 6 of 11
REV NO. :0/ 15/07/2023 SECTION – SOM 1.2
CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE HAZARDOUS PREPARED BY-DPA APPROVED BY- CEO
TO HEALTH (COSHH)
Asbestos fibers may be released when a material containing asbestos is disturbed, or whenever such
materials crack, flake or crumble, etc. This can even occur, for example, when a nail is driven into a
panel to hang up some light article.
The ideal form of control would of course be the complete removal of all asbestos from the
worksite. However, such an operation should never be undertaken except by qualified specialist
contractors following a strictly controlled safety regime. The following paragraphs describe
measures to be taken on ships where asbestos is present and there is a need to ensure adequate
protection from asbestos dust.
Any personnel who is, or is believed to be, working regularly in the vicinity of asbestos to which he
might in consequence be exposed should be told of its location and should be instructed by the Site
Manager / Master to report immediately to him any defects (such as cracks or flaking) or any
deterioration in the condition of the asbestos.
If the condition of any asbestos in the worksite is or may be defective the following steps should be
taken:
a. All personnel should be informed and access to the site must be restricted to as few personnel as
possible
b. If circumstances permit, the defective site must be covered or sealed in order to minimize the
risk of dust inhalation
c. Repair and maintenance work by personnel must only be undertaken if, for safety reasons,
where it is absolutely necessary. Every consideration should be given to having the work
undertaken in port by qualified personnel
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED
GP MARITIME PRIVATE LIMITED
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CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE HAZARDOUS PREPARED BY-DPA APPROVED BY- CEO
TO HEALTH (COSHH)
d. Any worksite where there is, or is thought to be, airborne asbestos should be reported to the Site
Manager / Master or Management of the worksite as appropriate
e. Personnel who has been exposed to asbestos dust, or who has worked with asbestos at the
worksite, should be advised to make a record of the dates and circumstances, and to inform his
own medical practitioner thereof
f.Where repairs etc. involving asbestos are to be done by shore-based personnel, the repairer should
be informed as soon as possible of the nature and extent of any asbestos work anticipated, and,
if possible, of the type of asbestos.
WELs is occupational exposure limits and is set in order to help protect the health of the personnel.
WELs is concentrations of hazardous substances in the air, averaged over a specified period of
time, referred to as a Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Two time periods are used:
long-term (8 hours);
short-term (15 minutes) – Short-Term Exposure Limits (STELs) are set to help prevent effects
such as eye irritation, which may occur following exposure for a few minutes.
Substances that have been assigned a WEL are subject to the requirements of COSHH.
These Regulations require employers to prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances. Under
COSHH, control is defined as adequate only if:
1. the principles of good control practice are applied,
2. any WEL is not exceeded and
3. exposure to asthmagens, carcinogens and mutagens are reduced as low as is reasonably
practicable.
Effects of exposure to substances hazardous to health vary considerably depending on the nature of
the substance and the pattern of exposure. Some effects require prolonged or accumulated exposure.
The long-term (8-hour TWA) exposure limit is intended to control such effects by restricting the
total intake by inhalation over one or more work shifts, depending on the length of the shift. Other
effects may be seen after brief exposures. Short-term exposure limits (usually 15 minutes) may be
applied to control these effects. For those substances for which no short-term limit is specified, it is
recommended that a figure of three times the long-term limit be used as a guideline for controlling
short-term peaks in exposure. Some workplace activities give rise to frequent short (less than 15
minutes) periods of high exposure which, if averaged over time, do not exceed either an 8-hour
TWA or a 15-minute TWA. Such exposures have the potential to cause harm and should be subject
to reasonably practicable means of control unless a ‘suitable and sufficient’ risk assessment shows
no risk to health from such exposures.
Both the long-term and short-term exposure limits are expressed as airborne concentrations
averaged over a specified period of time. The period for the long-term limit is normally eight hours,
when a different period is used this is stated. The averaging period for the short-term exposure limit
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED
GP MARITIME PRIVATE LIMITED
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CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE HAZARDOUS PREPARED BY-DPA APPROVED BY- CEO
TO HEALTH (COSHH)
is normally 15 minutes, such a limit applying to any 15-minute period throughout the working shift.
Exposure to substances hazardous to health should be calculated according to the approved method.
Selection of substances should be a joint task between Onshore Management and worksite
Personnel. Every effort shall be made to substitute toxic or harmful substances with a less toxic or
harmful substance, whenever this is practicable. Careful consideration shall be paid to Workplace
Exposure Limit.
In order to manage the risk from Hazardous Substances, the company will ensure that a suitable and
sufficient assessment is carried out as to whether hazardous substances are liable to be present
onboard the vessel
All hazardous substances required onboard vessels shall be assessed for hazards and risks by the
Technical Superintendent prior to approval for purchase.
Technical Superintendent who authorizes a VPR shall ensure that where any hazardous substance is
requested they state “Hazardous Substance” on the requisition, and include (if available) the
chemical name and/or UN number prior to sending it to the HSSEQ Department.
Once the requisition is received, the Technical Superintendent shall check the “Hazardous
Substance” listed on the PR against the WEL List. If the hazardous substance is referenced within
the list and hence has been previously assessed, then the Buyer shall proceed with the purchase.
If the hazardous substance is not referenced within the list, it shall be the responsibility of the
Technical Superintendent to request from the approved manufacturer/supplier of the product a
MSDS prior to purchase, and verify that the requisitioned product can be delivered on or before the
planned delivery date.
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED
GP MARITIME PRIVATE LIMITED
SHIPBOARD OPERATION MANUAL VER NO. :1/ 15/07/2023 PAGE 9 of 11
REV NO. :0/ 15/07/2023 SECTION – SOM 1.2
CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE HAZARDOUS PREPARED BY-DPA APPROVED BY- CEO
TO HEALTH (COSHH)
It is important that as much information as possible is provided, including type of substance, where
it is used, worked on, handled or stored, and how the Company designated waste management
contractor will ultimately dispose of it.
The packaging of health hazardous substances shall be in accordance with the requirements laid
down in the IMDG Code for packages, portable tanks and bulk containers.
A substance or mixture classified as hazardous and contained in packaging shall bear a label
including the following elements:
a. The name, address and telephone number of the supplier(s);
b. The nominal quantity of the substance or mixture in the package made available to the general
public, unless this quantity is specified elsewhere on the package;
c. Product identifiers;
d. Where applicable, hazard pictograms in accordance with IMDG Code (see Appendix C);
e. Where applicable, signal words in accordance with the classification of the hazardous
substance or mixture;
f. Where applicable; hazard statements in accordance with the classification of the hazardous
substance or mixture.
g. All health hazardous substances shall be accompanied and delivered with MSDS and each
vessel shall maintain a MSDS Register for hazardous substances used onboard.
The MSDS should provide a clear description of the data used to identify the hazards. Below
minimum information provided in below table should be included, where applicable and available,
on the MSDS under the relevant headings. If specific information is not applicable or not available
under a particular subheading, the MSDS should clearly state this. Additional information may be
required by competent authorities.
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED
GP MARITIME PRIVATE LIMITED
SHIPBOARD OPERATION MANUAL VER NO. :1/ 15/07/2023 PAGE 10 of 11
REV NO. :0/ 15/07/2023 SECTION – SOM 1.2
CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE HAZARDOUS PREPARED BY-DPA APPROVED BY- CEO
TO HEALTH (COSHH)
Storage areas of chemicals must be clearly marked with “CHEMICAL STORAGE AREA” and
appropriate safety warning signage. All containers of the chemicals must be labelled clearly
showing the chemical names and hazardous signs. All transferring of chemicals must be done
within containment by either using an electrical pump, a manual hand pump or funnels.
Personnel handling chemicals must follow the instructions mentioned in the MSDS regarding the
PPE.
Necessary personal protective equipment and first-aid measures shall be provided in the vicinity.
Transportation of hazardous substances shall follow the IMDG Code.
Such materials, which include corrosive materials, should always be stored separately from other
materials, preferably in dedicated storage locations.
Care must also be taken to separate materials that could react with each other, either naturally or as
a result of spillage, fire or contact with water.
All storage facilities for such materials should be prominently marked to indicate the presence and
nature of the materials and provided with such security as may be required for the safety of the
material and of personnel.
All such materials must have appropriate labels indicating the contents of each package or
container, the hazards it presents, and the safety precautions to be observed or taken.
Flammable Materials
Flammable materials contained in drums or bottles are used in some operations, in laboratories, and
elsewhere onboard the vessels.
Storage at point of use should be limited to one container or one day supply, whichever is the
greater, and should be in specially constructed cabinets or bins.
Dispensing from drums into smaller containers must be undertaken is separate dedicated areas.
Foodstuffs
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED
GP MARITIME PRIVATE LIMITED
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REV NO. :0/ 15/07/2023 SECTION – SOM 1.2
CONTROL OF SUBSTANCE HAZARDOUS PREPARED BY-DPA APPROVED BY- CEO
TO HEALTH (COSHH)
No matter what the type of container, any food product, or product used in the preparation, serving
and consuming of food or drink, must be kept well away from cleaning materials and any other
product or material which could affect the food product or create a health hazard to those persons
consuming the food or drink.
Manual Handling
Incorrect methods of handling hazardous substances can easily result in physical injury
Appropriate PPE, particularly gloves, should always be worn
Ordinary ladders should not be used in storage areas
Mobile steps must be maintained in good condition and should always be locked in position
before they are used
Personnel should never stretch to place or retrieve goods on shelves or racks
Mobile steps should be used and be placed so that it is not necessary to stretch
Personnel must never climb up racks or shelves for any purpose.
In the event of an accident, incident or emergency related to the unplanned release of hazardous
substances including asbestos at the workplace, the Company must ensure that immediate steps are
taken and only those persons who are responsible for carrying out of repairs and other necessary
work are permitted in the affected area and that such persons are provided with appropriate PPE
and any necessary specialized safety equipment and plant, which must be used until the situation is
restored to normal.
The initial incident notification should be formally sent out and subsequently the incident
investigation should be formed where at least the Master, Safety Officer and others as appropriate.
This document is strictly CONTROLLED and part of the company SMS. Once printed, scanned or photocopied will be deemed as UNCONTROLLED