3.3.2.1 Fumigation in transit should only be carried
out at the discretion of the master. This should be clearly understood
by owners, charterers, and all other parties involved when considering
the transport of cargoes that may be infested. Due consideration should
be taken of this when assessing the options of fumigation. The master
should be aware of the regulations of the flag State Administration
with regard to in-transit fumigation. The application of the process
should be with the agreement of the port State Administration. The
process may be considered under two headings:
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.1 fumigation in which treatment is intentionally
continued in a sealed space during a voyage and in which no aeration
has taken place before sailing; and
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.2 in-port cargo fumigation where some aeration
is carried out before sailing, but where a clearance certificate for
the cargo hold(s) cannot be issued because of residual gas and the
cargo hold(s) has been re-sealed before sailing.
3.3.2.2 Before a decision on sailing with a fumigated
cargo hold(s) is made it should be taken into account that, due to
operational conditions, the circumstances outlined in 3.3.2.1.2 may
arise unintentionally, e.g., a ship may be required to sail at a time
earlier than anticipated when the fumigation was started. In such
circumstances the potential hazards may be as great as with a planned
in-transit fumigation and all the precautions in the following paragraphs
should be observed.
3.3.2.3 Before a decision is made as to whether
a fumigation treatment planned to be commenced in port and continued
at sea should be carried out, special precautions are necessary. These
include the following:
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.1 at least two members of the crew (including
one officer) who have received appropriate training (see 3.3.2.6)
should be designated as the trained representatives of the master
responsible for ensuring that safe conditions in accommodation, engine-room
and other working spaces are maintained after the fumigator-in-charge
has handed over that responsibility to the master (see 3.3.2.12);
and
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.2 the trained representatives of the master should
brief the crew before a fumigation takes place and satisfy the fumigator-in-charge
that this has been done.
3.3.2.4 Empty cargo holds are to be inspected
and/or tested for leakage with instruments so that proper sealing
can be done before or after loading. The fumigator-in-charge, accompanied
by a trained representative of the master or a competent person, should
determine whether the cargo holds to be treated are or can be made
sufficiently gastight to prevent leakage of the fumigant to the accommodation,
engine-rooms and other working spaces in the ship. Special attention
should be paid to potential problem areas such as bilge and cargo
line systems. On completion of such inspection and/or test, the fumigator-in-charge
should supply to the master for his retention a signed statement that
the inspection and/or test has been performed, what provisions have
been made and that the cargo holds are or can be made satisfactory
for fumigation. Whenever a cargo hold is found not to be sufficiently
gastight, the fumigator-in-charge should issue a signed statement
to the master and the other parties involved.
3.3.2.5 Accommodation, engine-rooms, areas designated
for use in navigation of the ship, frequently visited working areas
and stores, such as the forecastle head spaces, adjacent to cargo
holds being subject to fumigation in transit should be treated in
accordance with the provisions of 3.3.2.13. Special attention should
be paid to gas concentration safety checks in problem areas referred
to in 3.3.2.4.
3.3.2.6 The trained representatives of the master
designated in 3.3.2.3 should be provided and be familiar with:
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.1 the information in the relevant Safety Data
Sheet; and
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.2 the instructions for use, e.g., on the fumigant
label or package itself, such as the recommendations of the fumigant
manufacturer concerning methods of detection of the fumigant in air,
its behaviour and hazardous properties, symptoms of poisoning, relevant
first aid and special medical treatment and emergency procedures.
3.3.2.7 The ship should carry:
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.1 gas-detection equipment and adequate fresh
supplies of service items for the fumigant(s) concerned as required
by 3.3.2.12, together with instructions for its use and the occupational
exposure limit values set by the flag State regulations for safe working
conditions;
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.2 instructions on disposal of residual fumigant
material;
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.3 at least four sets of adequate respiratory
protective equipment; and
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.4 a copy of the latest version of the Medical
First Aid Guide for Use in Accidents Involving Dangerous Goods (MFAG),
including appropriate medicines and medical equipment.
3.3.2.8 The fumigator-in-charge should notify
the master in writing of the spaces containing the cargo to be fumigated
and also of any other spaces that are considered unsafe to enter during
the fumigation. During the application of the fumigant the fumigator-in-charge
should ensure that the surrounding areas are checked for safety.
3.3.2.9 If cargo holds are to be fumigated in
transit:
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.1 After application of the fumigant, an initial
check should be made by the fumigator-in-charge together with trained
representatives of the master for any leak which, if detected, should
be effectively sealed. When the master is satisfied that all precautions
detailed in 3.3.2.1 to 3.3.2.12 have been fulfilled (refer to model
checklist in appendix 3) then the vessel may sail. Otherwise, provisions
outlined in 3.3.2.9.2 or 3.3.2.9.3 are to be followed.
If the provisions of 3.3.2.9.1 are not satisfied,
either:
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.2 After application of fumigants, the ship should
be delayed in port alongside at a suitable berth or at anchorage for
such a period as to allow the gas in the fumigated cargo holds to
reach sufficiently high concentrations to detect any possible leakage.
Special attention should be paid to those cases where fumigants in
a solid or liquid form have been applied which may require a long
period (normally from 4 to 7 days unless a recirculation or similar
distribution system is used) to reach such a high concentration that
leakages can be detected. If leakages are detected, the ship should
not sail until the source(s) of such leakages is(are) determined and
eliminated. After ascertaining that the ship is in a safe condition
to sail, i.e. no gas leakages are present, the fumigator-in-charge
should furnish the master with a written statement that:
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.2.1 the gas in the cargo hold(s) has reached
sufficiently high concentrations to detect any possible leakages;
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.2.2 spaces adjacent to the treated cargo hold(s)
have been checked and found gas-free; and
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.2.3 the ship’s representative is fully
conversant with the use of the gas-detection equipment provided.
or:
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.3 After application of the fumigants and immediately
after the sailing of the ship, the fumigator-in-charge should remain
on board for such a period as to allow the gas in the fumigated cargo
hold or spaces to reach sufficiently high concentrations to detect
any possible leakage, or until the fumigated cargo is discharged (see
3.3.2.20), whichever is the shorter, to check and rectify any gas
leakages. Prior to his leaving the ship, he should ascertain that
the ship is in a safe condition, i.e. no gas leakages are present,
and he should furnish the master with a written statement to the effect
that the provisions of 3.3.2.9.2.1, 3.3.2.9.2.2 and 3.3.2.9.2.3 have
been carried out.
3.3.2.10 On application of the fumigant, the fumigator-in-charge
should post warning signs at all entrances to places notified to the
master as in 3.3.2.8. These warning signs should indicate the identity
of the fumigant and the date and time of fumigation. A specimen of
such a warning sign is given in appendix 2.
3.3.2.11 At an appropriate time after application
of the fumigant, the fumigator-in-charge, accompanied by a representative
of the master, should check that accommodation, engine-rooms and other
working spaces remain free of harmful concentrations of gas.
3.3.2.12 Upon discharging his agreed responsibilities,
the fumigator-in-charge should formally hand over to the master in
writing responsibility for maintaining safe conditions in all occupied
spaces. The fumigator-in-charge should ensure that gas-detection and
respiratory protection equipment carried on the ship is in good order,
and that adequate fresh supplies of consumable items are available
to allow sampling as required in 3.3.2.13.
3.3.2.13 Gas concentration safety checks at all
appropriate locations, which should at least include the spaces indicated
in 3.3.2.5, should be continued throughout the voyage at least at
eight-hour intervals or more frequently if so advised by the fumigator-in-charge.
These readings should be recorded in the ship’s log-book.
3.3.2.14 Except in extreme emergency, cargo holds
sealed for fumigation in transit should never be opened at sea or
entered. If entry is imperative, at least two persons should enter,
wearing adequate protection equipment and a safety harness and lifeline
tended by a person outside the space, similarly equipped with protective,
self-contained breathing apparatus.
3.3.2.15 If it is essential to ventilate a cargo
hold or holds, every effort should be made to prevent a fumigant from
accumulating in accommodation or working areas. Those spaces should
be carefully checked to that effect. If the gas concentration in those
areas at any time exceeds the occupational exposure limit values set
by the flag State regulations, they should be evacuated and the cargo
hold or cargo holds should be re-sealed. If a cargo hold is re-sealed
after ventilation it should not be assumed that it is completely clear
of gas and tests should be made and appropriate precautions taken
before entering.
3.3.2.16 Prior to the arrival of the ship, generally
not less than 24 hours in advance, the master should inform the appropriate
authorities of the country of destination and ports of call that fumigation
in transit is being carried out. The information should include the
type of fumigant used, the date of fumigation, the cargo holds which
have been fumigated, and whether ventilation has commenced. Upon arrival
at the port of discharge, the master should also provide information
as required in 3.3.2.6.2 and 3.3.2.7.2.
3.3.2.17 On arrival at the port of discharge the
requirements of receiving countries regarding handling of fumigated
cargoes should be established. Before entry of fumigated cargo holds,
trained personnel from a fumigation company or other authorized persons,
wearing respiratory protection, should carry out careful monitoring
of the spaces to ensure the safety of personnel. The monitored values
should be recorded in the ship’s log-book. In case of need or
emergency the master may commence ventilation of the fumigated cargo
holds under the conditions of 3.3.2.15, having due regard for the
safety of personnel on board. If this operation is to be done at sea,
the master should evaluate weather and sea conditions before proceeding.
3.3.2.18 Only mechanical unloading that does not
necessitate entry of personnel into the cargo holds of such fumigated
cargoes should be undertaken. However, when the presence of personnel
in cargo holds is necessary for the handling and operation of unloading
equipment, continuous monitoring of the fumigated spaces should be
carried out to ensure the safety of the personnel involved. When necessary,
these personnel should be equipped with adequate respiratory protection.
3.3.2.19 During the final stages of discharge,
when it becomes necessary for personnel to enter the cargo holds,
such entry should only be permitted subsequent to verification that
such cargo holds are gas-free.
3.3.2.20 Upon completion of discharge and when
the ship is found free of fumigants and certified as such, all warning
signs should be removed. Any action in this respect should be recorded
in the ship’s log-book.