Code of Safe working Practices

OBJECTIVES & CONTENTS

 OBJECTIVES
• Intended primarily for seaman of UK
registered vessels
• Addressed to everyone on board regardless of
rank or rating
• Recommends safe working practices during
work in order get cooperation from all.
• Those not engaged in work are aware of the
work hazards and do not indulge in risk
impeding or needlessly interfering with the
work.
 CONTENTS
• Code arranged in sections which deal with broad areas of
concern.
• Introduction gives regulatory framework for health and
safety and responsibilities under that framework.
• Section1 Safety Management , statutory duties & advice
to those working on board. Safe practices to be followed.
. Section2 Areas to be covered in introducing a new recruit
to safety procedures on board with respect to health and
safety on board.
. Section 3 Various safe working practices common to all
ships
. Section 4 Safety for specialist ship operations.
 RISK ASSESSMENT
• Necessity of Work.(i.e. wait until day light)
• Availability of rescue & emergency services
• Use of stabilizer fins to avoid rolling
• Adjust course and speed
• Permit to work & company checklist
• Rigging lifelines
• Lifejackets with harness
• Adequate PPE , torches, waterproof suit, shoes
• Deck illumination , check waves direction
• Communication
• Always plan for and expect the unexpected
 WORKING ALOFT / OVERSIDE
1)Persons working overside may not be able to give full attention to
their job and Guard against falling objects. Proper staging necessary
2)Persons under 18 years or less and persons less than 12 months at
sea should be adequately supervised.
3) Working aloft to wear harness; lifelines; helmets. A proper net to
be rigged for working aloft.
4)Other than during emergency persons not to work overside when
vessel underway but if necessary to be done to keep lifeboat /
rescue boat ready.
5) Whistle to be kept off & necessary instructions posted on bridge.
6)Working aloft in way of cargo operations should be prohibited but if
required to be done to be carefully monitored.
7)Placing of tools to be carefully done in order it does not fall on
persons aloft. Tools to be handled with extra care.
8) When working on stage care to be taken that the wood is
proper ,Ropes are good. Lifelines are used.Stages well secured.
Great care should be taken when hoisting lowering the stages.
( same for bosun chair)
 Entering Confined Spaces
• Check atmosphere oxygen 21%. Check atmosphere Regularly
• Do not enter a tank until the space is well ventilated and
atmosphere is thoroughly checked.
• Permit to work is filled up signed by the officer
• Keep SCBA if space deficient , do not attempt rescue without
taking suitable precautions
• EEBD’S not to use for fire fighting
• Competent person to make risk assessment
• Blank off pipelines if dangerous
• Illumination proper
• Attendant at entrance experienced
• Lifelines to be long enough
• Check hold ladders
• After completion ensure everyone is back and no one left.
 HANDLING ROPES AND WIRES
• Ropes being used to be continuously checked from
inside and outside for deterioration, lay to be proper,
splice if any to be good with min 3 lays and protruding
tails.
• Wire ropes to be properly installed, maintained &
lubricated. The eye splice should be proper with 8 tucks
of splice. Eyes formed by compression fittings ferrules
should be proper.
• Proper test certificates should be available on board for
wires and ropes in use.
• Wires to be checked frequently for wear and tear and
no broken strands.
• For lifting appliances ropes and wires the checks to be
made as per Dock safety regulations and chain register.
• On stations the Hawsers in use to be proper
with no damages and elongation. The stoppers
to be in good condition.
• Ropes , wires should not pass through sharp
bends , angles.
• Do not stand in the bight of rope or wire.
• Never stand in the moorings when under
strain to avoid snap back
• When heaving ropes / wires on drum great
care to be taken to ensure strain coming on
the rope / wire in question.