Many of the substances and materials used onboard for various purposes can be dangerous and/or hazardous to the health of those using them. This section describes some of the hazards which may be encountered on board and the requirements for the safe handling and use of these materials.
In addition to the contents of this section, the UK Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers is to be consulted for detailed guidance. For every dangerous or hazardous material,substance or product handled on board, a MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET (MSDS) is to be provided and available to all personnel working with the material. These data sheets must be clearly posted in all areas where the materials in question are stored and used. For example inchemical store(s) and paint lockers, along with any other place the items are regularly stored.Refer to A07 “ Preventing HSQE Events". All dangerous materials are only to be used in accordance with the manufacturer instructions.
Dangerous, hazardous or irritating substances are to be handled only under instruction from a responsible officer. The responsible officer is to instruct, inform and train crew, so that they understand the risks arising from their work with dangerous or hazardous materials and are fully aware of the precautions that must be taken.
As with all parts of this system, where a dangerous or hazardous materials or substance is not specifically mentioned here, the requirements of good seamanship and common sense should be applied and the course of action that best protects the health and safety of all involved should be followed.
A properly ventilated and secure storage area is to be used to store all chemicals, and materials must only leave this area under the clear instruction of a responsible officer. Materials having different properties and safety concerns, are to be properly segregated and the storage area is to provide protection and security from accidental spillage or damage to containers from the vessel’s motion in a seaway. There must be no possibility of other important equipment such as mooring lines becoming damaged by chemical spills.
Original containers are always to be used to identify the contents and avoid confusion. Chemicals must never be used from unlabeled containers and containers are to be properly sealed and secured after use. MSDS are to be posted up adjacent to each type of chemical and the particular dangers of each are to be highlighted.
Chemicals must always be handled with great care and appropriate personal protective equipment must be used. This equipment is to consist of eye protection, rubber gloves, apron and other PPE as dictated by the MSDS and manufacturer instructions . Care is to be taken not to breathe in chemical vapours. Eye wash liquid is to be available as a first aid measure to remove chemicals from the eyes and skin.
Detergents are commonly used throughout the ship for a variety of reasons including laundry, galley and general cleaning purposes. They do not normally present serious hazards in handling, Care must be taken when handling strong or concentrated detergents and in cases where there may be prolonged contact with the skin. This can cause a degreasing effect of the skin and subsequent skin irritation.
It is therefore recommended that gloves are to be worn in such circumstances. Where gloves are not practical, a good quality barrier cream is to be used. Splashes of neat detergent onto the skin are to be washed with plenty of water followed by, if necessary, a moisturising cream or similar substance. If contact is made with the eyes, then again water is to be used in copious amounts to flush the eyes clear.
MSDS and manufacture instructions must always be consulted before using detergents and cleaning products, and appropriate PPE must be worn according to recommendations.
Paints and thinners present significant fire and explosion hazards due to their volatile nature. They also have toxic properties if vapours are inhaled. They must only be stored in the designated fire protected locker which is to be kept well ventilated. Drums of paint and thinners must be kept closed to reduce vapour release to a minimum. No type of hot work is to be carried out in or near the paint locker unless suitable precautions are taken, including removal of all paint drums. MSDS must be available and posted up at the locker for all types of paint stored.
Enclosed areas where painting is being carried out are to be kept well ventilated and appropriate fire precautions taken. Smoking is not permitted in any internal space during painting and until paint has fully dried.
Paint spraying equipment must only be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and with great care. During paint spraying, the body is to be kept fully covered to prevent accidental penetration of the skin. Eye protection and respirator masks are also to be used.
Health hazards may exist from contact with some oils used for fuel, lubrication and hydraulic systems. Certain materials such as residual fuel oil or used engine lubricating oils contain polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH’s) which are known to be carcinogenic. In addition to any carcinogenic effects, a range of skin diseases ranging from irritation to severe oil acne may occur.
When handling oil or waste oil, direct contact with the skin must be avoided by the use of protective gloves and / or barrier creams.
Additionally, further protection is to be utilised as appropriate, i.e. use of aprons and eye protection. This is particularly the case with degraded oils that may have undergone chemical changes during use, and therefore may exhibit different characteristics from their MSDS.
Adhesives, in many cases emit fumes that are highly flammable and toxic if inhaled. Additionally, some “super glues” are very powerful and bond materials on contact. In all cases adhesives must only be used for their intended purposes in accordance with the maker’s instructions. They must only be stored in a sealed manner and if possible in a well ventilated room. During use, appropriate ventilation must be provided in order to prevent build-up of toxic or explosive vapours and fire precautions and equipment must be observed and available. Handlers are to wear appropriate respiratory protection where appropriate.
A careful watch should be kept on any signs of a crew member suspected of solvent abuse such as inhaling the vapours of adhesives. If this is suspected, then the seafarer is to be reported to the Master who will report the occurrence to the office for follow-up action. The abuse of solvents is a breach of the Company Drug and Alcohol Policy.
The risks posed to health by asbestos are well recognised by the Company, and to this end every ship has been provided with an Asbestos Management Plan.
In addition, all equipment or stores purchases must be 100% asbestos free.
Pesticides used on board ships may be classed as dangerous goods. Some of the gases used for fumigation are flammable and may create a fire hazard. All fumigants are highly toxic and exposure to fumigants must be kept to the minimum practical level.
A number of accidents have occurred from fumigation processes.
Fumigation in port must only be carried out under the supervision of a specialist company, usually involving the evacuation of the crew to a hotel or other location. Fumigation during a voyage is to be carried out under the supervision of the Master however, must only be carried out if absolutely essential, with the Ships Management Teams written approval, the approval of the vessel’s flag state and the approval of the administration of the state where the vessel will call next.
Where there is any doubt that the fumigant tablets have fully decomposed prior to arrival at the discharge port, self-contained breathing apparatus must be worn until all fumigant residues have been removed and the cargo spaces have been thoroughly ventilated.
The Master must ensure that personnel involved in the fumigation process are trained in its use and are provided with all the information and protective equipment required. The fumigant must only be used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions with which the trained personnel are to be thoroughly familiar. This is to include knowledge concerning the 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. A comprehensive risk assessment is to be undertaken.
If fumigant tablets are applied in a retrievable form, their residues are to be removed immediately on arrival at the discharge port. In cases where no means of retrieval are provided, a vessel must not discharge her cargo until safe working conditions have been established both on board and ashore.
When a new substance is to be used onboard, the Company is to ensure that the supplier provides the correct MSDS for the substance at the time it is delivered. The MSDS is to be stored in SMMS. Every consumable item has the option to store documents against its record, and this is to be used for MSD Sheets.
Whenever a new substance is to be used onboard, a proper risk assessment must be conducted.
The Company is to apply the law of the European Union when determining which chemicals and cleaning substances may be used onboard the vessel.
Any substance banned for use in the European Union by any of the following regulations, may not be sourced for the ship:
- REACH Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation
- RoHS Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive
- SRR Ship Recycling Regulation
In addition, any substance prohibited by the following United States legislation may not be sourced or supplied for the ship:
- TSCA Toxic Substances Control Act