Upon completion of this section the trainees should have a good
understanding of safe working practices safety and protective devices available
to protect against potential hazards aboard a ship precautions to take prior
to entering enclosed spaces familiarization with international
measures concerning accident prevention and occupational health
it is important to follow safe working routines and practices at all times
to assure both your and others safety on board the ship important elements in the
formula for safe working practices include safe work analysis identifying
hazards that might occur making sure the personal responsible for the work is
aware of all its potential dangers preventing accidents there are various
safety and protective equipment devices available to protect against hazards on
board a ship safety and protective equipment must always be in good
condition and be stored in places where it is easily accessible all personnel on
board are obliged to use the protective equipment available on board the safety
and protective equipment can be divided up into the following categories
personal safety and protective equipment job-related safety and protective
equipment personal safety and protective equipment includes items such as helmet
safety boots gloves boiler suit safety glasses ear
protection job-related safety and protective equipment includes items such
as lifeline harness for arresters respiratory protection such as a dust
filter dust mask and breathing appliances it is important to know the
difference between when to use dust masks and when to use breathing
apparatuses it is important that all personnel on board are aware of the
dangers of entering enclosed spaces which precautions to take
and what safety equipment to use an enclosed space is one with restricted
access that is not subject to continuous ventilation and in which the atmosphere
may be hazardous due to oxygen deficiency or the presence of
hydrocarbon gas toxic gases or inert gas this definition includes areas such as
cargo tanks ballast tanks fuel tanks water tanks lubricating oil tanks sewage
tanks coffer dams etc many of the fatalities in enclosed spaces have
resulted from entering the space without proper supervision or adherence to
agreed procedures the procedure for entering enclosed spaces and which
safety equipment to use may vary from company to company and ship type to ship
type here are some important questions to ask before entering has the space
being thoroughly ventilated and oxygen level measured have arrangements been
made for continuous ventilation our rescue and resuscitation equipment
available for immediate use beside the compartment entrance has a system of
communication between a person at the entrance and those in the space been
agreed make sure you are familiar with your vessels procedures before entering
enclosed spaces in trying to reduce the number of accidents it is important that
not only accidents but also near accidents are reported accidents should
not have to take place before actions are taken to remove or reduce hazards
some accidents can be avoided if the possible hazard
is reported studies have shown that there is a close connection between near
accidents and serious or major injuries many injuries and accidents could have
been avoided if near accidents had been reported