1Safe atmosphere

1 Safe atmosphere

(1) The master of the vessel must take precautions to prevent access by persons to a cargo space that may have an unsafe atmosphere.

(2) The master of the vessel must take precautions to prevent access by persons to a cargo space that has been fumigated until the atmosphere in the space is safe.

Note There are recommendations on appropriate safety measures to be taken when using pesticides on vessels in the Supplement to the IMDG Code. Other authorities, such as port authorities, may have additional requirements that must be met.

(3) If cargo operations might reduce the safety of the atmosphere, such as in a ro-ro vehicle deck, the master must ensure that ventilation machinery is operating.

2 Lighting

Lighting of the vessel must comply with the following:

(a) there must be illumination of at least:

(i) 10 lux on each access route; and

(ii) 20 lux on any accommodation ladder, gangway or ladder that provides access to the vessel;

(b) there must be at least 50 lux in any working area that is illuminated by shipboard lighting;

(c) the level of light in adjacent areas must be reasonably uniform;

(d) any artificial illumination must be arranged so that glare and dazzle is minimised and there are no heavy shadows that may conceal a danger in cargo handling or access.

Note Additional guidance on measuring illumination is contained in AS/NZS 1680.1:2006 Interior and workplace lighting — General principles and recommendations as in force on 1 January 2017.

3 Protective fencing — open hatchways

(1) An open hatchway that is a permanent fixture must be securely fenced in accordance with clause 8 if the hatchway is not:

(a) entirely surrounded by coamings at least 750 mm high; or

(b) otherwise inaccessible.

(2) The intermediate rail mentioned in paragraph 8(c) is not required if the hatch coaming is between 400 mm and 750 mm high.

(3) Fencing is not required for the side of a hatchway if fencing is fitted between the hatchway corners and the side of the vessel.

4 Protective fencing — upper decks

(1) All upper decks to which persons have access for loading or unloading must be securely fenced on each outer edge with a bulwark or guardrails at least 1 m above the deck and designed, constructed and placed to prevent a person from accidentally falling overboard.

(2) The bulwark or guardrails must be continuous, although sections may be removed for a loading or unloading operation to the minimum extent necessary for that purpose.