Appendix 3

Safe Atmosphere

Loading or unloading must not be carried out in a cargo space in which the atmosphere is liable to be contaminated by harmful concentrations of dust or toxic gas, or in which there is liable to be an oxygen deficiency, unless adequate precautions have been taken to protect persons engaged in the loading or unloading, including, where necessary, the provision and use of suitable respiratory equipment and protective clothing.

Note 1: If any space in a ship is to be entered for the purposes of loading or unloading that space should have been adequately ventilated prior to entry being permitted. Where any doubt exists as to an acceptable level of hazard, the advice of a competent chemist should be obtained and the space should be tested for oxygen deficiency and levels of toxic and other airborne contaminants, which should be measured against the currently accepted exposure standards for those contaminants specified in the table of exposure standards in "Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment: Guidance Note and National Exposure Standard" (NOHSC:3008(1995)). It should be noted that for certain contaminants, such as benzene and asbestos, any positive level of contamination is unacceptable.

Note 2: To ensure that an acceptable level of risk is maintained, it may be necessary to test the atmosphere at periodic intervals.

Note 3: A dry cargo hold is not a confined space for the purposes of Australian Standard AS 2865 (Clause 6.2D). However, this standard may be applicable to other spaces in which persons are required to work for the purposes of loading and unloading.

Note 4: Additional precautions to be taken where a mechanical stowing appliance is used in an enclosed space are prescribed in Appendix 13.

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