9. Code of Safe Working Practice 

9.1.1 Introduction to Safe Working Practice Frame Work with respect to Health & Safety Onboard Ships 

The Code of safe working practice provides guidance on safe working practices for many situations that commonly arise on ships, and the basic principles can be applied to many other work situations that are not specifically covered. However, it should not be considered a comprehensive guide to safety. This advice contains should always be considered in conjunction with the findings of the Company’s or employer’s risk assessment, and any information, procedures or working instructions provided by the manufacturer, supplier or any other source should be followed.

Specific recommendations for the use of PPE regarding head protection include safety helmets, bump caps, hair protection. Safety helmets are most commonly provided as protection against falling objects. They can also protect against crushing or a sideways blow, and chemical splashes. 

Bump cap is an ordinary cap with a hard penetration-resistant shell. They are useful as protection against bruising and abrasion when working in confined spaces such as a main engine crankcase or a double bottom tank. 

Hairnets and safety caps 

Seafarers working on or near to moving machinery should always be aware of the possibility of their hair becoming entangled in the machinery. Long hair should always be covered by a hairnet or safety cap when working with or near moving machinery. 

Specific recommendations for the use of PPE regarding hearing protection include Earmuffs, earplugs. 

Earplugs: The simplest form of ear protection is the earplug. This type, however, has the disadvantage of limited capability of noise level reduction. 

Earmuffs provide a more effective form of hearing protection. They consist of a pair of rigid cups designed to completely envelope the ears, fitted with soft sealing rings to fit closely against the head around the ears.

Specific recommendations for the use of PPE regarding face and eye protection include Goggles and spectacles, facial shields. 

The main causes of eye injury are: 

• infra-red rays (gas welding); 

• ultra-violet rays (electric welding); 

• exposure to chemicals; or 

• exposure to flying particles and foreign bodies. 

Face and eye protectors are available in a wide variety, designed to international standard specifications, to protect against these different types of hazards.

Specific recommendations for the use of PPE regarding respiratory protective equipment include dust masks, respirators, breathing apparatus. 

The respirator selected must be of a type designed to protect against the hazards being met. 

The dust respirator gives protection against dusts and aerosol sprays but not against gases. 

Types of respirators include the following: 

• The positive pressure-powered dust respirator incorporates a battery-powered blower unit, connected by a tube to the face mask to create a positive pressure in the face piece. This makes breathing easier and reduces face-seal leakage. 

• The cartridge-type of respirator consists of a full face-piece or half-mask connected to a replaceable cartridge containing absorbent or adsorbent material and a particulate filter. It is designed to provide protection against low concentrations of certain relatively non-toxic gases and vapours. 

• The canister-type of respirator incorporates a full face-piece connected to an absorbent or adsorbent material contained in a replaceable canister carried in a sling on the back or side of the wearer. This type gives considerably more protection than the cartridge type.

Specific recommendations for the use of PPE regarding hand and foot protection include gloves, gauntlet, safety boots and safety shoes. 

Gloves 

The exact type of glove selected will depend on the kind of work being undertaken or the particular substance being handled and, in these cases, expert advice should be followed. 

The following are general rules: 

• Leather gloves should generally be used when handling rough or sharp objects. 

• Heat-resistant gloves should be used when handling hot objects. 

• Rubber, synthetic or PVC gloves are generally best for handling acids, alkalis, various types of oils, solvents and chemicals in general. 

Footwear 

Foot injuries most often result from the wearing of unsuitable footwear (e.g. sandals, plimsolls and flip-flops) rather than from failure to wear safety shoes and boots. It is nevertheless strongly advisable that all personnel whilst at work on board ship wear appropriate safety footwear. Injuries are commonly caused by impact, penetration through the sole, slipping, heat and crushing.

Specific recommendations for the use of PPE regarding protection from fall include Safety belt, safety harness and life lines. All personnel who are working at height (i.e. in any position from which there is a risk of falling) should wear a safety harness (or belt with shock absorber) attached to a lifeline. If a vessel is shipping frequent seas, nobody should be required to work on deck unless absolutely necessary. However, where this is unavoidable, persons on deck should wear a harness and, where practicable, should be secured by lifeline as a protection from falls, and from being washed overboard, or against the ship’s structure. Inertial clamp devices allow more freedom in movement.

Specific recommendations for the use of PPE regarding body protection include safety suits, safety belts, harnesses, aprons, high-visibility clothing. 

Special outer clothing may be needed for protection when personnel are exposed to particular contaminating or corrosive substances. This clothing should be kept for the particular purpose and used for relevant works. 

High-visibility clothing should be worn when it is important to be seen to be safe, e.g., during loading and unloading operations.

Specific recommendations for the use of PPE regarding protection against Drowning, Hypothermia include Lifejackets, buoyancy aids and lifebuoys, Immersion suits and anti-exposure suits. Where work is being carried out overside or in an exposed position where there is a reasonably foreseeable risk of falling or being washed overboard, or where work is being carried out in or from a ship’s boat, a lifebuoy with sufficient line should be provided. In addition and, as appropriate, a working lifejacket, a personal flotation device or a buoyancy aid should be worn. Where necessary, personnel should be provided with thermal protective clothing to reduce the risks of cold shock.

Seafarer duties and Responsibilities 

• take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others on board who may be affected by their acts or omissions; 

• cooperate with anyone else carrying out health and safety duties, including compliance with control measures identified during the employer’s or Company’s risk assessment; 

• report any identified serious hazards or deficiencies immediately to the appropriate officer or other responsible person; and 

• make proper use of plant and machinery, and treat any hazard to health or safety (such as a dangerous substance) with due caution.

Under the regulations, it is also an offence for any person intentionally or recklessly to interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health and safety. 

• All seafarers required to use protective equipment must be properly instructed and trained in its use. This should include being advised of its limitations and why it is needed. A record should be kept of who has received training. 

• Seafarers must wear the protective equipment or clothing supplied when they are carrying out a task for which it is provided, and follow appropriate instructions for use. 

• PPE should always be checked by the wearer each time before use. Seafarers should comply with the training they have received in the use of protective items, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.