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PPE Usage Guidelines for Seafarers

The document discusses when and why to use personal protective equipment (PPE) onboard ships. It states that PPE must only be used when risks cannot be avoided or reduced through safe work practices, as PPE only protects the individual and does not reduce hazards. Companies must provide suitable PPE to workers as needed. All workers must be properly trained to correctly use PPE, and inspect and store it properly after use.

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30 views4 pages

PPE Usage Guidelines for Seafarers

The document discusses when and why to use personal protective equipment (PPE) onboard ships. It states that PPE must only be used when risks cannot be avoided or reduced through safe work practices, as PPE only protects the individual and does not reduce hazards. Companies must provide suitable PPE to workers as needed. All workers must be properly trained to correctly use PPE, and inspect and store it properly after use.

Uploaded by

mdiwuu
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Lesson 3 When to Use and Why to Use PPE

Grammar

Grammar

Grammar Spot

modal verbs should and must


ð To give or to ask for advice or recommendations, you need to use modal verb should. It
is followed by the root form of the verb. To make a question, you need to put should before
the subject.

Crewmembers should take care of crew safety onboard.

What should we do to enhance safety of crew?

ð Unlike should, must expresses strong obligation to do something. It is also followed by


the root form of the verb.

Senior officers should supervise the work of ratings.

Responsible officer must instruct the crew before dangerous works are to be done.

 Ratings should make sure what protective equipment is required in each case.
 Safety Officer must instruct crewmembers on safety aspects of the tasks done.
 Bosun should monitor the work of ratings on the deck.
 All crewmembers must have appropriate knowledge and skills.
 Shipowner must provide the crew with all appropriate protective equipment.

1. Good standards for health and safety should prevail. And even more so on board a
ship where there are workplaces involving a wide range of tasks often undertaken in
geographical isolation.
2. New personnel joining a ship must undergo a safety induction procedure conducted
by a responsible officer.
3. New personnel must also receive department induction procedures explaining safe
working practices, areas of responsibility and necessary trainings required to operate
specific equipment and appliance.
4. The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen where the main
information on the safety requirements and recommendations can be found.
5. The Code is intended to improve safety onboard by giving guidance for fulfilling
international safety requirements. According to the Code, employers are required to
identify and assess the risk to the health and safety of workers and to take
appropriate measures to improve safety.
Lesson 3 When to Use and Why to Use PPE
4 Scan the text and find the examples of modal verbs

4 Scan the text again and find the examples of modal verbs. Discuss their meaning.

In any workplace good standards for health and safety should prevail. And even more so
on board a ship where there are workplaces involving a wide range of tasks often
undertaken in geographical isolation, demanding specialized skills, awareness and well-
planned approach. All new personnel joining a ship must undergo a safety induction
procedure conducted by a responsible officer who must at bare minimum cover all the
requirements, as stipulated by the STCW Code. On completion of the safety induction
the new personnel must also receive department induction procedures explaining safe
working practices, areas of responsibility and necessary trainings required to operate
specific equipment and appliance.

IMO allows each company to establish its own policy on health, safety and environment
protection. Companies’ rules broadly outline the requirements for the effective safety
provision and accident prevention, pollution prevention, personal and occupational
health. Thus, for instance, Maritime and Coastguard Agency of the UK developed an
official document aimed at increasing occupational safety onboard – the Code of Safe
Working Practices for Merchant Seamen where the main information on the safety
requirements and recommendations can be found.

The Code is intended to improve safety onboard by giving guidance for fulfilling
international safety requirements. According to the Code, employers are required to
identify and assess the risk to the health and safety of workers and to take appropriate
measures to improve safety. On the other hand, the workers are required to follow all the
established safety requirements and take all reasonable care of their health and safety
and of those who may be affected by their actions.
Lesson 3 When to Use and Why to Use PPE
7 Skim the text and check your guesses.

Risks to the health and safety of seafarers must be identified and assessed. It will often
not be possible to remove all risks, but attention should be given to control measures
which make the working environment and working methods as safe as practicable.
PPE must be used only when risks cannot be avoided or reduced by safe working
practice. This is because PPE does nothing to reduce the hazard and only can protect the
person wearing it. It should be noted that the use of PPE may in itself cause the hazard –
for example, through reduced field of vision, loss of agility.

It is the responsibility of the shipowner to ensure that crewmembers are provided with
suitable PPE where it is needed. It should be supplied at no cost to the seafarer with the
exception of cases when he wants to have something over required standards (e.g. a
moreattractive design). All crewmembers must be properly trained in correct usage of
PPE. A competent person should inspect each item of PPE at regular intervals, and always
before and after use. Equipment must be kept clean and stowed in a safe place after use.

Seafarers must wear PPE when they are carrying out a task for which it is provided and
follow appropriate instruction for use. Equipment must always be checked by the wearer
each time before use. Crewmembers should comply with the training they received in
the use of protective items.

 No matter how hard you try there is never 100% guaranty of your safety.
 Workers must use PPE only when it can't be reduced by safe working practices
because the use of PPE may in itself cause the hazard.
 Having any item of PPE on doesn’t mean the danger doesn’t exist anymore.
 Wearing PPE may be the reason of reduced field of vision, loss of agility
 Company must provide shipboard personnel with suitable PPE.
 It’s not possible to use PPE correctly without any training provided before.
 After usage the equipment must be checked, cleaned and placed in a special place.
 Worker must assess the risk of the job and wear PPE only if he isn’t sure in safety.
When to use PPE PPE must be used only when risks cannot be avoided or reduced by
safe working practice.

Why to use PPE PPE can protect the person wearing it.

Company Companies must ensure that workers are provided with suitable PPE
where it is needed.
responsibilities

Onboard personnel All workers must be properly trained in correct usage of PPE. A
responsibilities competent person should inspect each item of PPE at regular
intervals, and always before and after use. Equipment should be kept
clean and stowed in a safe place after use.

Workers must wear PPE when they are carrying out a task for which
it is provided and follow appropriate instruction for use. Equipment
should always be checked by the wearer each time before use.

Common questions

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The 'Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen' aims to improve safety onboard by giving guidance for fulfilling international safety requirements . It requires employers to identify and assess risks to health and safety and implement appropriate measures to improve safety. Shipowners are primarily responsible for implementing the code as they must ensure that safety guidelines are integrated into ship operations and that crewmembers are adequately trained and equipped per these standards .

Shipowners have several responsibilities regarding PPE: they must ensure that crewmembers are provided with suitable PPE wherever necessary, at no cost to the seafarer unless it exceeds required standards . They must also ensure that all crewmembers are properly trained in the correct usage of PPE, and that PPE is inspected regularly by a competent person. Additionally, shipowners must ensure that PPE is kept clean and stowed safely after use .

While PPE is crucial for protecting individuals, it does not reduce the inherent hazard, and its usage may introduce new risks, such as reduced field of vision or loss of agility . Thus, it's essential to balance PPE with other safety measures, prioritizing safe working practices that avoid or reduce risks wherever possible . This approach ensures that PPE is used as a last resort, minimizing potential negative impacts introduced by its usage.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment by identifying risks, providing appropriate PPE, and ensuring training and maintenance protocols are followed. Workers, on the other hand, must comply with safety procedures, use PPE correctly, and take responsibility for their safety and that of others . This balance ensures that while employers facilitate a safe environment, workers actively engage in maintaining the safety standards, creating a collaborative approach to risk management onboard ships.

Companies can mitigate the drawbacks of PPE usage by prioritizing control measures that make the working environment and methods as safe as possible before resorting to PPE . Ensuring comprehensive training on the correct use and limitations of PPE is crucial. Regular inspections and maintenance of equipment, as well as encouraging feedback from workers on any difficulties faced while using PPE, can help manage and reduce the risks associated with its usage .

New personnel must undergo a safety induction procedure conducted by a responsible officer, covering all requirements as stipulated by the STCW Code. This is followed by departmental induction procedures, which explain safe working practices, areas of responsibility, and necessary trainings for operating specific equipment . These steps are critical because they ensure new crew members are aware of the safety protocols and equipped to operate safely, reducing accidents and enhancing overall safety onboard.

All ship crew members must be properly trained in the correct usage of PPE, which includes understanding when and how to use it safely. A competent person should inspect each item of PPE at regular intervals and always before and after use to ensure its integrity and suitability for protection . These protocols are necessary to prevent potential hazards caused by improper use or maintenance failures, ensuring that PPE functions effectively when needed.

Safety and departmental induction procedures are vital for new crewmembers to ensure they understand general and specific safety practices and their responsibilities. The safety induction familiarizes them with critical safety protocols, while departmental induction provides detailed knowledge on safe working practices and the necessary training for using specific equipment and appliances. This comprehensive approach minimizes risks and equips crew members to function safely and effectively in their roles .

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) allows each maritime company to establish its own policy on health, safety, and environmental protection, within its broad framework. These policies outline requirements for effective safety provision, accident and pollution prevention, and personal and occupational health . The IMO's role is to provide overarching guidelines and standards that companies must follow, ensuring a unified approach to maritime safety and environmental protection across the industry.

In maritime safety documents, 'should' is used to give advice or make recommendations, indicating actions that are advisable but not mandatory. For instance, crewmembers should take care of crew safety onboard . 'Must,' on the other hand, is used to express strong obligation, indicating actions that are mandatory, such as the requirement for shipowners to provide appropriate PPE to the crew . This distinction is crucial for understanding the differences between suggestions and imperatives in safety guidelines.

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