LESSON 6:
EXPLAIN HOW TO OBSERVE SAFE
WORKING
PRACTICES (OSWP)
SAFETY ONBOARD
Some of the reasons why accidents happen aboard
ships is due to dangerous or unsafe environment,
environmental factors, variable standards of safety,
and the most known- human error. The table below
shows that most accidents happen in the work place.
In order to reduce the number of accidents, personal
protective equipment or PPE were designed to comply
with the standards on safe working practices. These
safety working practices are inculcated among the crew
through constant training and seminar.
Hard hat or helmet, safety gloves, goggles, safety vest,
working clothes, facemask, safety shoes, and ear
protection are some of the equipment we use onboard
for protection.
Hazard when entering enclosed spaces
Hazard is everywhere aboard ships. An open manhole,
scattered/loose objects and incompetent crew assigned to
do the task may impose danger to anyone. Painting inside
the ballast tank is an example of a job which requires
several safety procedures before the start of the job since
it is considered as an enclosed space.
Planning and assessing the risks shall be carried-out and
ensured that mitigation measures are followed. Constant
monitoring of responsible officers and personnel to the crew
working inside the tank is critical.
A competent person is a person with sufficient theoretical
knowledge and practical experience to make an assessment of
the likelihood of a dangerous atmosphere being present or
subsequently arising in the space.
The Safety Officer ensures that an “Enclosed Space Entry
Permit” is properly documented prior the start of the job. No
crew should be allowed to enter any enclosed space without
permission from the Chief Officer or the Chief Engineer.
Precautions to be undertaken prior to entering
enclosed spaces
Before the start of work, a “Toolbox Meeting” is set in order to
discuss the job plan and the risks that the crew may
encounter. The Safety Officer prepares a Risk Assessment and
checklists involved for the task. Risk Assessment covers all
activities onboard, operations, job, and task including non-
routine repairs.
The first step for the task is for the Chief Officer or the
“Responsible Officer”, to prepare the enclosed space
entry permit which is valid for Eight (8) hours. The
enclosed space entry permit is a checklist which must
be complied. The first part of the checklist is the “Pre-
Entry Preparations”, which involves Risk Assessment,
isolation of the tank, securing the tank opening and
testing the gas content are a few key points from the
checklist.
The second part of the checklist is the “Pre-entry
Checks” where the confirmation on the approval of the
Master, the completion of the first part of the checklist,
emergency procedures and the names of the crew
entering the enclosed space.
Importance of adhering to safe working practices at
all time
The Company’s Safety Management System is carefully
set to meet the requirements in observing safe working
practices aboard ships. Each member of the team has a
duty to keep the working environment safe. Any deviation
from these safe working practices will result to an
unprecedented accident which may lead to injury, or worst
is death.
To mention a few cases published by MI News (Marine
Insight) on August 10, 2017 an Engine Cadet suffered
second degree burn on both hands when he was asked by
the Third Engineer to top up the cooling system on one of
the four main engines. The cadet is not a qualified
personnel to do the job since he does not have enough
knowledge for the task. The Third Engineer has the
responsibility to carry-out the job.
Another incident which was published by MI News Network
on July 21, 2017 is the Death of an Inspector who entered
the cargo hold. To summarize the incident, the foreman
checked the oxygen content of hold 4 but was not able to
test the rest of the holds since he was called to the ship’s
office to discuss the discharge plan.
Meanwhile, a grain inspector boarded the ship and went
directly inside cargo hold 3 which was open that time. The
Grain Inspector collapsed upon reaching the tank top and
was declared dead by the rescuers. Later on, they tested
the oxygen content of the hold and was found at 12
percent.
SAFETY ONBOARD
hank you
