WORKING ALOFT AND OVER THE SIDEWORKING ALOFT AND OVER THE SIDE

WORKING ALOFT AND OVER THE SIDE

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Consideration should be given to a permit to work system for work aloft or over the side, depending on the nature of the work (see chapter 4). A form for working aloft should take account of the particular nature of the operation.

Particular attention should be paid to sea and weather conditions and the possibility of squalls before working aloft or over the side is commenced. In general, working aloft or over the side should not be permitted if the movement of a ship in a seaway makes such work hazardous.

In coastal waters strong tidal or current rips could cause sudden, unexpected ship movements, which might be hazardous to seafarers working aloft.

Special consideration should be given to the problems of working near the ship’s whistle, funnel, radio aerials and radar scanners. All relevant officers should be informed before work commences and all relevant equipment should be isolated, shut down or appropriate procedures adopted. Warning notices should be posted as appropriate. Officers should be informed when the work is completed.

Inexperienced persons should not be required to work aloft, outboard or over the side, unless accompanied by an experienced crew member or are under adequate supervision.

All seafarers should wear safety harnesses and restraints appropriate to the conditions. Safety nets should be rigged where necessary. Persons working over the side should wear life-jackets or other suitable flotation devices. Someone should be in attendance on deck. A lifebuoy with a line attached should be readily available.

Warning notices that persons are working aloft should be posted on deck, and elsewhere as appropriate. Tools should not be carried in pockets but secured in belt tool carriers, and they should be kept secured to the belt with a lanyard or string during the work. Tools and stores should be sent up and lowered by line in suitable containers.

All equipment, such as lizards, blocks and gantlines, should be carefully examined before use. If there is any doubt of the standard, quality and condition of any item, it should not be used.

Where possible, only permanent fixtures to the ship's structure, such as welded eye pads, should be used as securing points for lizards, blocks and gantlines. Securing points should be inspected to ensure that they are capable of carrying the weight.

Lizards and gantlines should be kept away from, or protected from, sharp edges.

Cargo handling operations should not take place in the vicinity where seafarers are working aloft.

A competent person should continuously supervise seafarers working aloft or over the side.