7.1.1 Procedures for safe lashing and securing
operations should be included in the ship's Safety Management System
as part of the ISM Code documentation.
7.1.2 Upon arrival of the ship, a safety assessment
of the lashing positions and the access to those positions should
be made before securing work commences.
7.2
Operational procedures
7.2.1
Container deck
working
7.2.1.1 Transit areas should be safe and clear
of cargo and all equipment.
7.2.1.2 Openings that are necessary for the operation
of the ship, which are not protected by fencing, should be closed
during cargo securing work. Any necessarily unprotected openings in
work platforms (i.e. those with a potential fall of less than 2 m),
and gaps and apertures on deck should be properly highlighted.
7.2.1.3 The use of fencing is essential to prevent
falls. When openings in safety barriers are necessary to allow container
crane movements, particularly with derricking cranes, removable fencing
should be used whenever possible.
7.2.1.4 It should be taken into account that,
when lifting lashing bars that can weigh between 11 and 21 kg and
turnbuckles between 16 and 23 kg, there may be a risk of injury and
severe illness as a result of physical strain if handled above shoulder
height with the arms extended. It is therefore recommended that personnel
work in pairs to reduce the individual workload in securing the lashing
gear.
7.2.1.5 The company involved with cargo operation
should anticipate, identify, evaluate and control hazards and take
appropriate measures to eliminate or minimize potential hazards to
prevent in particular with harmful lumbar spinal damage and severe
illness as a result of physical strain.
7.2.1.6 Personnel engaged in containership cargo
operations should wear appropriate Personnel Protective Equipment
(PPE) whilst carrying out lashing operations. The PPE should be provided
by the company.
7.2.1.7 Manual twistlocks should only be used
where safe access is provided.
7.2.1.8 Containers should not be stowed in spaces
configured for larger sized containers unless they can be secured
under safe working conditions.
7.2.2
Container top working
7.2.2.1 When work on container tops cannot be
avoided, safe means of access should be provided by the container
cargo operation terminal, unless the ship has appropriate means of
access in accordance with the CSAP.
7.2.2.2 Recommended practice involves the use
of a safety cage lifted by a spreader to minimize the risk to personnel.
7.2.2.3 A safe method of work should be developed
and implemented to ensure the safety of lashers when on the top of
container stows on deck. Where practical, the use of fall prevention
equipment should take precedence over fall arrest equipment.
7.2.3
Failure to provide
safe lashing stations on board/carry out lashing by port workers
7.2.3.1 Where there are lashing and unlashing
locations on board ship where no fall protection, such as adequate
handrails are provided, and no other safe method can be found, the
containers should not be lashed or unlashed and the situation should
be reported to shoreside supervisor and the master or deck officer
immediately.
7.2.3.2 If protective systems cannot be designed
to provide safe protected access and lashing work positions, in all
cargo configurations then cargo should not be stowed in that location.
Neither crew nor shore workers should be subjected to hazardous working
conditions in the normal course of securing cargo.
7.3.1 In line with section 2.3 (Inspection and
maintenance schemes) of the Revised guidelines for the preparation
of the cargo securing manual (MSC.1/Circ.1353) all ships should
maintain a record book, which should contain the procedures for accepting,
maintaining and repairing or rejecting of cargo securing devices.
The record book should also contain a record of inspections.
7.3.2 Lighting should be properly maintained.
7.3.3 Walkways, ladders, stairways and fencings
should be subject to a periodic maintenance programme which will reduce/prevent
corrosion and prevent subsequent collapse.
7.3.4 Corroded walkways, ladders, stairways and
fencings should be repaired or replaced as soon as practicable. The
repairs should be effected immediately if the corrosion could prevent
safe operations.
7.3.5 It should be borne in mind that turnbuckles
covered with grease are difficult to handle when tightening.
7.3.6 Storage bins and their carriers should be
maintained in a safe condition.