When a new ship is put in operation, the air quality should
be tested by a competent qualified person with specialist training
in occupational exposure. The tests should be carried out in consultation
with the ship's safety delegate and any other relevant authorities.
Vessel owners should consider testing the air quality in conjunction
with tests of the ventilation system to ensure proper maintenance
and functioning of the ventilation system. Situations which indicate
the necessity to conduct air quality monitoring include worker complaints
(e.g. headache, dizziness, stinging of the eyes or respiratory system),
indications that the ventilation system itself has deteriorated, and
changes in vessel operation which are substantially different from
that for which the original ventilation system was verified.
All tests results verifying the adequacy of the ventilation
system should be documented and kept with the ship's records. Appendix 3 provides recommendations
for conducting air quality monitoring in ro-ro cargo spaces.