Annex 5 - Hazards
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
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 5 - Hazards

Annex 5 - Hazards

 Terminal representatives should be aware that the following hazards may be encountered at the ship/shore interface during the loading and/or unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes.
Hazard Possible sources or causes
Fall from heights
  • Gangways - typical Bulk Carrier gangways are unsuitable and unsafe for use at many bulk terminals.
  • Inadequate fencing of open holds and dangerous edges.
  • Accessing/egressing ship's holds.
  • Removing cargo from stairs, ladders and side frames in ship's holds.
  • Working on top of hatch covers.
  • Weather conditions and tidal movements.
Moving equipment and vehicles
  • Movement of ship loaders and/or unloaders.
  • Movement of mobile plant on terminal:
    • - Payloaders, skid steer loaders, tractors and trailers
    • - Cars, trucks and lorries
    • - Cranes and lift trucks.
  • Operation of mobile plant in ships' holds.
  • Inadequate barriers at terminal edges where mobile plant is operating.
Falling objects
  • Lifting and suspension of grabs.
  • Material falling from grabs.
  • Personnel on deck walking under the grab.
  • Lifting and suspension of mobile plant from terminal to ship and from hold to hold.
  • Lifting and suspension of loading chutes, spouts and arms.
  • Lifting and suspension of welding and other equipment into hold to carry out damage repairs.
  • Cargoes falling from ships' hold structures, frames, beams, ledges and ladders.
  • Personnel lowering or raising equipment in and out of holds with personnel still at work underneath.
  • Personnel monitoring cargo operations standing too close to where grab is working, and at risk of being struck by grab, or by a breaking grab rope.
Slips, trips and falls
  • Wet or slippery surface from ice, cargo or oil spillage on ship or terminal.
  • Badly stowed ropes, hoses and equipment on ship or terminal.
  • Unmarked obstacles on ship's decks such as manhole covers, securing eyes, safety stanchion sockets.
  • Climbing and working on and around loose and unstable material in ship's holds.
  • Personnel handling ship's stores on terminal edge.
Fire or explosion
  • Dust created by certain cargoes may constitute an explosion hazard.
  • Flammable gases emitted by certain bulk cargoes may give rise to a fire or explosion hazard.
  • Incompatible materials which may react dangerously.
  • Materials liable to spontaneous combustion.
  • Bunkering operations.
  • The use and refuelling of mobile plant in ships' holds.
  • Smoking and the use of naked flames.
  • Hot work.
  • Combination carriers including holds, pumps and pipelines not gas free when unloading dry bulk, or with slop tanks or wing tanks not inerted.
Hazardous substances
  • Dangerous goods.
  • Cargoes liable to oxidation, oxygen reduction and emission of toxic fumes, particularly when wet.
  • Cargoes corrosive to skin and eyes, and to ships structures, particularly when wet.
  • Cargoes liable to cause oxygen depletion e.g. metals, vegetable/fruit products, forest products.
  • Accumulation of dangerous gases in cargo spaces or in adjacent spaces. Failure to observe Confined Space Entry and Atmospheric Testing procedures.
Health hazards due to dust
  • Dusty cargoes.
  • Spillage from loading and/or unloading equipment.
  • Incorrectly operated and/or maintained loading and/or unloading equipment causing excessive dusting.
  • Tipping and storage of cargo on terminal.
Strains and sprains
  • Manual handling such as shovelling, scraping of cargo in ship's holds.
  • Operating mobile plant in ship's holds.
  • Operating grab unloaders and similar equipment.
  • Handling mooring lines.
Tidal movements and wind conditions
  • Gangway becoming unsafe.
  • Collision between loader and/or unloader and ship's structure or gear.
  • Failure of unloader and/or loader braking system in high winds, leading to collision with ship.
  • Runaway of loader and/or unloader and/or transporter cranes in high winds.
Berthing and moving ships
  • Collision between berthing ship and loader and/or unloader on terminal.
  • Breaking mooring lines - risk to personnel on ship and terminal from "snap-back" effect.
  • Passing ships.
Inadequately trained personnel
  • Terminal, contractor or temporary employees assigned to work in terminal or on ship without adequate induction or job specific training.
  • Ship's personnel unfamiliar with the ship, or with the ship’s operations.
Other activities that can occur on an around any terminal
  • Failure of persons or organizations controlling different operations to co-operate in ensuring a safe place of work. For example, inadequate control of the activities of personnel, contractors, hauliers, visitors, other ships and port users.
Parent topic: Annex - Manual on Loading and Unloading of Solid Bulk Cargoes for Terminal Representatives
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