MCA AMENDS ITS CODE OF SAFE WORKING PRACTICES
The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has published an updated version of the ‘Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers’. The amendments give advice on improving health and safety of seafarers, primarily for those on board UK registered ships. But surveyors should also take note.
The Code provides guidance on safe working practices for the many and numerous situations that occur on ships.
However, it should not be considered a comprehensive guide to safety and its advice should always be considered in conjunction with the findings of the operators’ risk assessment, and any information, procedures or working instructions provided by the manufacturer, supplier or any other source should be followed, UK MCA notes.
Safety risks onboard can lead to death, permanent disability, temporary disability or reduced work capability. Occupational health and safety risks may arise from work-related hazards or from the general living and working conditions on board.
If some risks are cannot be avoided, appropriate control measures should be used to minimise the hazards that may cause injury, disease or death. Harmful exposure may have short-term or long-term adverse health effects.
The above risk risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
– Ambient factors, like noise, vibration, lighting, ultra-violet light, non-ionising radiation and extreme temperatures. – Inherent hazards, such as the vessel’s structure, means of access, ergonomic hazards and hazardous materials such as asbestos. – Hazards arising from work activities, such as work in enclosed spaces, use of equipment and machinery, working on and below deck in adverse weather, dangerous cargo and ballast operations, and exposure to biological hazards or chemicals.
– Health risks, such as fatigue and impacts on mental occupational health; and the emergency and accident response. The new code can be found at
http://bit.ly/2GPvh3r
UPDATED GUIDELINES FOR THE CARRIAGE OF CALCIUM HYPOCHLORITE IN CONTAINERS
The International Group of P&I Clubs (IG Clubs) and the shipping line members of the Cargo Incident Notification System (CINS) have issued a revised version of the guidelines for the carriage of calcium hypochlorite in containers.
The Guidelines were first issued in May 2016, with version 2.0 of the Guidelines issued in January 2017 to take account of the package limit of 100lb drums under US measurement as well as the package limit of 45kg net weight.
The revised version 3.0 of the Guidelines seek to provide continuity in terms of the referencing of the package limit and provide clarity as to the nature of the guidelines.
At normal temperatures calcium hypochlorite decomposes very slowly and releases heat. However, at higher temperatures the rate of decomposition increases and if the heat is not able to escape from within the material then its temperature increases, along with the rate of decomposition.
A self-accelerating reaction can result in a violent decomposition of the calcium hypochlorite releasing heat and oxygen. This has resulted in serious fires and explosions.
The packaging and quantity can have an impact on self-accelerating decomposition.
The United Nations Manual of Tests and Criteria provides self-accelerating decomposition test (SADT) methods for determining the properties of substances classified as self-reactive. These tests can also be used to evaluate oxidizers such as calcium hypochlorite. The International Group of P&I Clubs advice in this paper is also based on the critical ambient temperature (CAT) method used to determine self accelerating properties.
Download the new guidelines at:
http://bit.ly/2EUVjR8
The Report • March 2018 • Issue 83 | 15
Safety Briefings
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