SWP: Access and Egress to Cargo Holds

Ref No: POS_SWP 04_Accessing Cargo Holds

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Date: 05/07/21

Key Hazards

Risks

Personal Protective Equipment

• Working atmosphere toxic, explosive or deficient in Oxygen

• In rush of liquid gasses or solids

• Exposure to disease bearing organisms (weil’s disease Etc)

• Falls down shafts or sumps

• Potential disturbance of organic matter that could release Toxic, Explosive gasses.(Sludge, rust and

left over cargo) .

• Asphyxiation

• Fire/explosion

• Drowning

• Infection/asphyxiation/ chemical burns

• Trapping

Do

• Supervisor Team Leader to check access

  /egress to the vessel and cargo hold is in good repair, correctly positioned and in working order before commencement of operation (if this is not satisfactory the safety cage can be used on the crane).

• Ensure cargo hold hatch is open and is naturally ventilated.

• Atmosphere to be tested before entry.

• Workers to be logged in and out.

• Atmosphere to be monitored every time the cargo hold is closed and reopened.

• Only the number of workers required to carry out the work safely to enter the cargo hold.

• Stop working immediately if an alarm is raised or you hear an Air Horn.

• Information from the agent is collated before a ship enters the Port. The information includes details of cargo and previous cargos.

• A discharge plan details the sequence for unloading and the holds are opened to allow ventilation in correlation with the discharge plan.

• Care must be taken when loading/discharging cargoes that have been loaded leaving dead space.

• Before entry into the cargo hold is granted a pre-test is carried out determining the oxygen levels within the hold and this is recorded on the permit.

• Should the monitors determine there is a risk from low levels of oxygen entry into the cargo hold is prohibited until remedial action is carried out.

• Information is shared with employees through the Toolbox Talks prior to work commencing and the Confined Spaces Risk

Assessment made available.

Do Not

 No cargo hold will ever be entered without the authority of the ship’s Master.

 Do not enter cargo holds or enter dusty areas such as warehouses especially during tipping, loading and pushing activities if you are not required and authorised to do so.

 Do not enter a cargo hold until atmospheric monitoring tests have been carried out to ensure that it is safe to do so.

 Work if under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

 At no time will lone working be prohibited inside the ship’s cargo hold.

 Eat, Smoke or use mobile devices (including headphones) whilst working.

Specific Training Requirements:

• Confined space entry training where appropriate.

• Atmosphere monitoring training where appropriate.

• Use of breathing apparatus where appropriate.

• Workers to be trained in the use of monitoring equipment and evacuation procedures.

Risk Assessments:

• POS 01_Working at Heights

• POS 02_Use of Ladders

• POS 05_Slips & Trips

• POS 07_Stress

• POS 09_First Aid

• POS 10_Young and Inexperienced Workers

• POS 13_Inclement or Extreme Weather

• POS 15_Confined Spaces

• POS 18_COVID 19

SWPs:

• POS_SWP 05_Safe Work in Confined Spaces

• POS_SWP 08_Use of Lifting Gear

• POS_SWP 09_Emergency Evac From Hold

• POS_SWP 11_Use of man riding lifting cage during COVID 19