PPE(PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT) AND SAFETY

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Hard hats shall be worn at all times while on deck during cargo operations, docking/undocking operations or at anytime when the possibility exists that a head injury will result from falling objects or by contact with vessel structure, cargo, equipment, etc.

• Eye protection shall be worn at all times when grinding, chipping, sandblasting, working with chemicals, or anytime there is a chance of eye injury.

• Ear Protection shall be worn in high noise areas. These areas include: the engine room, generator rooms, steering gear room, hydraulic rooms, and as needed in temporary, high noise areas. Hearing protection shall be worn when using deck scalers, scaling/needle guns, “growlers/bumble bees”, or other similar equipment that could be a noise hazard.

• Skin protection shall be worn anytime there is risk of heat or chemical burn.  Company supplied coveralls are available.

• Appropriate footwear shall be worn for the job and job location.  Unprotected “bare” feet, open healed sandals, clogs and  “flip-flops” are strictly prohibited at all times aboard ship.  Tennis shoes/sneakers are inappropriate while working on deck and in the Engine Room.

• Hand Protection is required when hands are exposed to hazards, which may cause cuts/lacerations, abrasions, punctures, chemical burns, thermal burns, or contamination from a hazardous substance.

• Safety belts are to be worn when rigging the IMO pilot ladder, working over-the-side, when rigging the ship's gangway, or whenever there is a chance of falling.

• Respiratory Protection is required when working in areas where there is a potential for contamination to the atmosphere by harmful dust, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays or vapors.

• Environmental procedures shall be followed as outlines in the vessel’s waste management plan.

Use of Tools:

Be cognizant of the following safety issues whenever using tools.

• Make safety part of the discussion of the work to be done.
• Survey the work area prior to commencement of activity to identify hazards and how they are to be avoided.
• Use the right tool for the right job
• Ensure that the tools and other equipment are in proper operating condition.  If not, notify your supervisor and replace before using.
• Ensure that operators are instructed in the safe operation of the equipment.
• Ensure that other personnel are not exposed to hazards by the operation of the equipment.
• Wear proper personal protective equipment.

Deck Safety:

• Never walk under a container as a crane is lifting it.  Take the extra time needed to allow the container to be moved before transiting the area.
• When in port during Cargo Operations, use the offshore side or the tunnels to travel fore and aft. Don't linger on deck, even on the offshore side.
• Carry two flashlights whenever you have to enter a cargo hold.
• Never work between hatches when the hatches are open or when they are working cargo in/on that hatch.
• Hard hats and Hi-Visibility Vests shall be worn at all times while on deck during cargo operations, docking/undocking operations or at anytime when the possibility exists that a head injury will result from falling objects or by contact with vessel structure, cargo, equipment, etc..
• Mooring  - Tying up the ship and letting go the ship are always dangerous. Don't stand in the bight of the line. Stand well clear of lines under heavy tension such as tugboat wires and the vessel's mooring lines. Anyone not necessary for the actual operations should be elsewhere. If any lifting is required, make sure there is sufficient crew to do the job.  The retention of mooring lines on the gypsy head is prohibited.  Upon completion of mooring, all mooring lines must be stopped-off and made fast on bits in a seaman-like manner

Going Ashore Safety:

• When going ashore, keep in mind; the terminal can be an extremely dangerous place. If transportation is provided, use it. Where no transportation is provided, use the Safety Walkways. Do not take shortcuts through the container aisles; the drivers to not expect you to be anywhere but in the walkways. Keep your eyes open at all times. Follow all terminal rules, be alert and use extra caution when you are required to walk in and around terminal areas.

Engine Room Safety:

           

• Wear ear protection at all times when in the engine room.
• Stow all tools and equipment safely after their use.
• Hands & Fingers - Do not use your finger, hands or other parts of your body to stem a hot oil or steam leak.  Never use your fingers to line up a hole.
• Use tools properly and use the proper tool to accomplish the job at hand.  The improper use of tools and the use the wrong tool for the job, can lead to injury.  Take the necessary time to get the proper tool to accomplish the job safely.
• Be familiar with engine room escape routes and the location of the 10- minute Emergency Escape Breathing Devices.
• Pipes & Connections- Before you break a pipe connection or remove a fitting make sure the line is not filled with a hot substance, such as steam or hot oil. Make sure the pressure is low.
• Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as appropriate to accomplish the job safely.  This PPE may include: work gloves, rubber gloves, safety glasses, facemasks, aprons, coveralls, welding gear, respirator, hardhat, ear protectors, safety belt/harness, safety lines, and safety barriers.  If the proper safety gear is not readily available, contact your immediate supervisor or department head before you start on the job.

Tank Safety and Confines Space Entry:

• No person is permitted to enter a confined space alone. USSM has detailed procedures (Pr. 10.6) that are to be followed to ensure safe entry into confined spaces.
• While the size of the space is irrelevant, most confined spaces in the workplace contain at least one of these four basic characteristics:

1.      The space’s entry or exit opening is limited or restricted, making it difficult for someone with life-saving equipment to enter in an emergency;

2.      The space contains known or potentially hazardous atmospheres, oxygen-deficiency, or toxic or flammable substances;

3.      The space is not designed for continuous occupancy by employees;

4.      Employees may become engulfed by fumes or entrapped in the space.

• Typically, areas such as access holes, pipes, tunnels, cold storage rooms, tanks, cargo holds, and void spaces are labeled as confined spaces. Another good rule-of-thumb test is whether the area is large enough for an employee to work in, but is not designed for continuous employee occupancy.

Special precautions:

• Never go into a tank by yourself.
• Make sure the tank is properly lighted and ventilated.
• Do not go into a tank without a back-up or spare flashlight.
• Someone should be standing outside the tank ready to render assistance. If necessary, use portable UHF radios for communication.
• Never enter a tank until it is tested for oxygen content and explosive favors and it has been found to be safe for entry.

Galley Safety:

• Always wear rubber-soled shoes when working in the Galley.

• There is no smoking while working in the Galley.
• The galley should be spotless before and after each meal.
• Be Safety conscious at all times, keep your work area clean and safe.
• Do everything possible to avoid and eliminate fire hazards and know the extinguishing methods available in the Galley.
• Hook back reefer doors when necessary for them to be open and check frequently to be sure the reefer alarm system is working.
• Keep all knives and other tools in good working condition, including electrical equipment, utensils, glasses, and crockery.
• Stow all foods and equipment so nothing will fall on someone's head when a cabinet or locker is opened.