SAFETY IN LIVING ACCOMMODATIONSAFETY IN LIVING ACCOMMODATION

SAFETY IN LIVING ACCOMMODATION

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Cabins and accommodation should be kept in a clean and tidy condition. Shipowners should provide the necessary cleaning equipment for this purpose.

The emergency stations and duties of the occupants of each cabin should be clearly displayed in that cabin or immediately adjacent to the door of the cabin. Seafarers should read and memorise this information immediately upon being allocated the cabin. A careful note should be made of emergency escape routes from the cabin.

Towels and clothing should be put away in their proper place when not in use. Wet clothing should be hung in drying room and be kept clear of light bulbs, radiators and other sources of heat.

Where the shipowner's smoking policy permits smoking in the accommodation, seafarers should take care to ensure that all butts and ashes are properly extinguished. Seafarers must never smoke in bed. Check company policy.

When electrical equipment, including personal electrical equipment, is used in the accommodation, the following precautions should be taken:

1. any mains-operated electrical equipment purchased outside Australia should be checked to ensure it is compatible with the ship's power supply;

2. any mains-operated electrical equipment which develops a fault should be immediately unplugged and not operated again before being checked by an engineer officer or a qualified shore service agent;

3. double adaptors should not be used;

4. disposable fuses should never be rewired or replaced by others of a higher rating;

5. portable lamps, radios and other electrical equipment should be switched off at the main switch when not in use or when the user leaves the room;

(f) electrical equipment should be properly secured against movement in a seaway;

(g) faulty cabin wiring should be immediately reported to an engineer officer.

Slip-resistant bath mats and proper handholds should be provided in bathrooms and showers.

Seafarers should recognise that the safety of individuals and of the entire ship and crew depends upon off-duty crew members being able to get adequate rest and sleep. Noise and other behaviour that may disturb others should be kept to a minimum.

Before leaving a common space, seafarers should always check that chairs and other loose objects are appropriately secured against movement.