The Marine Department today (Dec 15) urged
all vessel owners and operators to remind their crew members to
strictly observe safety practices to avoid the potential risk
of danger.
The call is
made following an investigation into an earlier fatal accident
in which a coxswain died after falling into the cargo hold of
a vessel when it was operating on cargo loads at a container terminal.
It emerged that a number of irregularities contributed to the
accident.
A Coroner's
Court inquiry into the accident recommended that owners and crew
members of vessels be brought to the attention of the importance
of observing safety guidelines relating to the means of access
and safe movement of personnel working on board a vessel.
Major points
in the guidelines include:
- To ensure the provision and maintenance of a safe means of
access to any place on the ship;
- All deck surfaces used for transit about the ship and all
passageways, walkways and stairs must be properly maintained
and kept free from substances liable to cause a person to slip
or fall;
- Areas used for loading or unloading of cargo or for other
processes for transit should be adequately and appropriately
illuminated to ensure that the surroundings are clearly seen
without illusions.
- Any opening, open hatchway or dangerous edge should be fitted
with secure guards or fencing, except for the situation where
the opening is a permanent access way or hindrance to necessary
work progress might be posed;
- All ladders aboard a vessel must be of good quality and strong
enough to cater for the needs. Ladder providing access to the
hold must comply with the required standards.
- Workers moving on board a vessel must stay alert to guard
themselves from potential dangers;
- When deck cargo is being lashed and secured, special measures
may be needed to ensure safe access to the top of, and across,
the cargo; and
- Hatchways opened for operations have to be closed as soon
as after the work unless there is an exceptional need.
Details of the safety guidelines are contained in the "Code
of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen", which is available
for sale at the Marine Department's Mercantile Marine Office
at 3/F, Harbour Building, Central, Hong Kong.
For enquiries, please call 2852 4406.
Saturday, December 15, 2001
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