Appendix 3 – Hazard Anticipation, Identification, Evaluation and Control
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee-Marine Environment Protection Committee Circulars - MSC-MEPC.2 Circulars - MSC-MEPC.2/Circular.3 – Guidelines on the Basic Elements of a Shipboard Occupational Health and Safety Programme – (5 June 2006) - Annex – Guidelines on the Basic Elements of a Shipboard Occupational Health and Safety Programme - Appendix 3 – Hazard Anticipation, Identification, Evaluation and Control

Appendix 3 – Hazard Anticipation, Identification, Evaluation and Control

  1 Potential hazards on the vessel and created by the vessel should be systematically anticipated, identified, evaluated and controlled. Hazards that should be discovered, evaluated and controlled by the SOHSP include hazards addressed by the organization and by the Administration, and other hazards that are causing or likely to cause illness, death or serious physical harm to workers or the public. Types of hazards to consider may include:

  • .1 hazardous atmospheres due to oxygen deficiency, flammable or toxic gases or vapours, and biological agents;

  • .2 chemical hazards and the proper handling of vessel generated hazardous wastes;

  • .3 physical hazards including noise, vibration, radiation, electricity, uncontrolled mechanical energy, shifting cargoes that may engulf a crewmember;

  • .4 ergonomic factors including fatigue, workstation design, and poor team practices;

  • .5 collisions, groundings, or rammings and their resultant impacts; and

  • .6 drowning.

  2 Methods of anticipation include:

  • .1 systematic requirements for vessel and equipment design and modification review by qualified occupational health and safety personnel;

  • .2 periodic management review of the vessel and its operation, its equipment, and its fitness-for-purpose;

  • .3 a procurement system that automatically requires consideration of occupational health and safety aspects of items ordered;

  • .4 consideration of fitness for current conditions; and

  • .5 systematic review of vessel and shore side team practices.

  3 Methods of identifying hazards include:

  • .1 vessel inspections;

  • .2 industrial hygiene exposure assessments of chemical and biological hazards including inhalation and dermal exposure routes, and physical hazards such as vibration and ergonomic hazards;

  • .3 job safety analyses including risk assessment, both statistical and expert opinion based;

  • .4 employee hazardous condition notification system including easy to understand labelling system for all possible mechanical and chemical hazards; and

  • .5 review of available occupational health and safety data to identify trends.

  4 Methods of hazard evaluation include:

  • .1 comparison of industrial hygiene exposure levels to standards identified in the SOHSP (e.g., standards required by regulation or prudent levels adopted by the company in the absence of regulatory requirements); and

  • .2 risk analysis tools:

    • 2.1 hazard effects and control analysis;

    • 2.2 hazard control analysis;

    • 2.3 fault tree analysis of possibilities based on expert opinion;

    • 2.4 management oversight and risk analysis; and

    • 2.5 task hazard analysis.

  5 Methods of hazard control are hierarchical. In order of preference, they include:

  • .1 inherent safe design and verification of design output to design requirements;

  • .2 material substitution such as:

    • .2.1 non-hazardous insulation for asbestos lagging;

    • .2.2 citrus based cleaning agents for solvent-based cleaning agents; and

    • .2.3 non-toxic paint for toxic paint.

  • .3 Engineering controls such as:

    • .3.1 closed gauging;

    • .3.2 vapour recovery systems; and

    • .3.3 climate-controlled spaces such as control booths in engine-rooms.

  • .4 Administrative controls such as:

    • .4.1 systematic review for fitness of vessel for operations;

    • .4.2 standard operating procedures that incorporate safe work practices. Some activities that might require standard operating procedures with integrated safe work practices include:

      • .4.2.1 machinery start-up and shut-down operations;

      • .4.2.2 emergency response to machinery failures;

      • .4.2.3 getting underway and entering port operations;

      • .4.2.4 cargo loading and unloading operations;

      • .4.2.5 response to unplanned or emergency situations during cargo operations;

      • .4.2.6 man overboard procedures;

      • .4.2.7 lifeboat launching procedures;

      • .4.2.8 watchkeeping procedures;

      • .4.2.9 team working procedures such as:

        • .1 bridge resource management taught in simulators with practice by actual team members; and

        • .2 pre-job planning and briefings;

      • .4.2.10 job hazard/safety analyses (JHAs/JSAs);

      • .4.2.11 emergency procedures; and

      • .4.2.12 systematic inspection of incoming equipment and equipment in use to ensure conformation to specifications identified in the SOHSP (for example, personal protective equipment).

    • .4.3 an easy to understand labelling system for all possible mechanical and chemical hazards;

    • .4.4 occupational medical surveillance programmes tailored to vessel and cargo hazards; and

    • .4.5 specific programmes that need special attention within the overall SOHSP:

      • .4.5.1 respiratory protection programme;

      • .4.5.2 hearing loss prevention programme;

      • .4.5.3 safe lifting procedures; and

      • .4.5.4 permit-to-work programmes for operations such as:

        • .1 lock out and tag out;

        • .2 tank or hold cleaning operations;

        • .3 confined space entry;

        • .4 hot work operations, including a gas-freeing programme; and

        • .5 working aloft.

  • .5 occupational health and safety equipment control, calibration, and maintenance procedures;

  • .6 security procedures to control entry and exit of personnel to and from the vessel;

  • .7 basic safety rules such as:

    • .7.1 You shall not do things, which are unsafe in order to get the job done. If a necessary activity is unsafe, report it to your supervisor so it can be evaluated and alternate methods developed.

    • .7.2 Mechanical guards must be kept in place at all times when machinery is being operated. Do not remove or disable any safety device!

    • .7.3 No person may operate a piece of equipment unless they have been trained and are authorized. Notify your supervisor that you need training if you are asked to perform a function you did not learn in meeting the requirements for your level.

    • .7.4 Use your personal protective equipment whenever it is required.

    • .7.5 Obey all safety warning signs.

    • .7.6 Smoking is only permitted in designated locations and may be entirely prohibited at certain times, such as during cargo transfer operations.

    • .7.7 Good housekeeping is an important part of accident prevention. Replace all tools and supplies after use. Do not allow rubbish or debris to accumulate where they will become a hazard;

  • .8 employee assistance and wellness programmes;

  • .9 pre-employment chemical tests for dangerous drugs;

  • .10 incentive programmes such as:

    • .10.1 safety awards;

    • .10.2 bonuses; and

    • .10.3 vessel competitions;

  • .11 disciplinary policy that provides for progressive consequences depending on the severity and/or repetition of the violation of a safety rule;

  • .12 personal protective equipment such as:

    • .12.1 safety glasses, goggles, hearing protection, safety shoes, protective clothing, chemical protective booties, respiratory protection; and

    • .12.2 impervious gloves for food handlers as appropriate; and

  • .13 preventive maintenance of the vessel and equipment and basic housekeeping programmes.

Parent topic: Annex – Guidelines on the Basic Elements of a Shipboard Occupational Health and Safety Programme
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