Annex 4 - Training of Terminal Personnel Involved In Loading and/or Unloading Bulk Carriers
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC/Circular.1160 - Manual on Loading and Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes for terminal Representatives - (16 May 2005) - Annex - Manual on Loading and Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes for Terminal Representatives - Annex 4 - Training of Terminal Personnel Involved In Loading and/or Unloading Bulk Carriers

Annex 4 - Training of Terminal Personnel Involved In Loading and/or Unloading Bulk Carriers

 Loader/unloader operator training should include:

  • 1. The general hazards of loading and/or unloading Bulk Carriers (ref. BLU Code (Code of Practice for the Safe Loading and Unloading of Bulk Carriers) and BC Code (Code of Safe Practice for Solid Bulk Cargoes) )

  • 2. The dangerous effect improper loading and/or unloading can have on a ship.

Practical aspects to be included in the training should include:

  • The BLU Code so that they understand and appreciate both the obligations it places on their terminal, and the limitations of the ships the terminal personnel are loading and/or unloading.

  • The correct operating instructions for the ship loader or unloader they are operating.

  • A basic understanding of the mechanical and electrical components of the loader and/or unloader such as travel drives, braking arrangements, ropes and rope care, grab/trolley winches, conveyors, operating and wind limits, storm anchoring.

  • Emergency procedures such as fire on ship, terminal, or loader and/or unloader; mooring incidents, emergency stops.

  • The correct techniques and patterns to be used to load or unload a ship, depending on the type of and number of loaders or unloaders being used.

To load a ship:

Loader operators should have an appropriate understanding of how to:

  • Distribute the cargo in each hold in accordance with the agreed cargo plan to ensure the ship remains upright, and is neither stressed nor twisted.

  • Ensure no hold is overloaded or overfilled, and that the ship can be safely trimmed on completion.

  • Ensure loading efficiency is maximized, as per the agreed loading/deballasting plan.

  • Ensure safety and environmental protection procedures are followed.

  • Ensure that good communications are maintained between the loader operator and the designated ship's officer, and between master and terminal representative.

To unload a ship:

Unloader operators should have an appropriate understanding of how to:

  • Unload the cargo from each hold in accordance with the agreed unloading plan to ensure that the ship remains upright and is not stressed or twisted.

  • Remove the cargo from the holds by either grab or continuous unloader in a manner that minimizes the risk of damage to the ship's structure.

  • Ensure that good communications are maintained between the unloader operator and the designated ship's officer, and between master and terminal representative.

  • Assess the risks arising from cargo sticking in frames and on hopper sides and facilitate, if possible, its safe removal without risk to the safety of terminal personnel and ship's crew members, or risk of damage to ship.

Terminal representative training

The terminal representative should:

  • 1. Have a thorough understanding of the underlying principles related to the loading and/or unloading of bulk carriers as described in the BLU Code.

  • 2. Know how to implement all aspects of the BLU Code.

  • 3. Understand and manage the ship/shore interface in relation to the operations and limitations of the terminal, its cargo handling equipment and procedures, the planning, control and monitoring of cargoes, relevant properties of the cargoes being handled, berthing/mooring operations and emergency procedures.

The training, assessment and certification of trainees should be carried out by competent persons within the framework of existing training standards and national health and safety legislation.

Parent topic: Annex - Manual on Loading and Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes for Terminal Representatives
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