15Functions and duties of person in charge

15 Functions and duties of person in charge

15.1 It is the function of the person in charge to direct the tasks relevant to the loading or unloading of the ship and to ensure that they are carried out in a safe and orderly manner.

15.2 It is the duty of the person in charge to take all reasonable steps necessary to discharge his or her function, and in particular to ensure as far as practicable that:

(a) all operations are performed in compliance with this Order; and

(b) the materials handling equipment of the ship has been tested, thoroughly examined and inspected as required by this Order; and

(c) persons are not engaged in loading or unloading unless they have been given adequate instruction and training concerning the risks involved and precautions to be taken; and

(d) all persons are reasonably protected against accidental injury arising from the loading or unloading of the ship, and from movement of unsecured cargo or other objects on the ship; and

(e) persons not engaged in the loading or unloading of the ship or having any other proper function in connection with the loading or unloading, do not remain:

(i) in the vicinity of cargo-handling operations; or

(ii) on any deck where roll-on/roll-off loading or unloading is taking place;

unless those persons have the permission of the master or a person authorised by the master to give permission; and

(f) if a workplace becomes unsafe or there is a risk of injury to health, effective measures are taken to protect the workers until the place has been made safe again; and

(g) the master of the ship is told about any event in which:

(i) a person receives an injury; or

(ii) a component of material handling equipment fails in operation, whether or not any person is injured because of the failure.

15.3 If, in connection with the loading or unloading of a ship:

(a) a person receives an injury; or

(b) a component of material handling equipment fails in operation, whether or not any person is injured because of the failure;

the master, on advice from the person in charge, must give to the Manager, Ship Inspection and Registration:

(c) within 4 hours after the incident — an initial report; and

(d) within 72 hours after the incident — a full report.

Note Incident reporting forms (AMSA 18 and AMSA 19) are available on AMSA’s website at http://www.amsa.gov.au.