It is the responsibility of every single Officer to identify risks and that all jobs which have been identified as such will be covered by a risk assessment. No such risky job may start without a valid risk assessment.

For easy-to-understand guidance to risk assessments, please read Chapter I pages 1-23 of the "Code of safe working practice for merchant seaman" (COSWP).

Jobs shall be re-assessed when the circumstances like weather, daylight, equipment, competence of crew member, etc have changed.

Corresponding Risk Assessments must be completed together with Permit to Work forms.

Vessels must inform the office prior every hot work performed outside the workshops and prior entry into enclosed spaces. Corresponsding risk assessments must be provided for office approval before proceeding with the job.

Risk Assessment No

                                   Title

OOC-RA-001

Routine use of abrasive wheels

OOC-RA-002

Anchoring

OOC-RA-003

Battery Maintenance

OOC-RA-004

Chemical treatment of Portable Water

OOC-RA-005

Cleaning Main Sea Strainers

OOC-RA-006

Working on Fixed CO2 Fire-fighting System

OOC-RA-007

Connecting & Disconnecting Bulk Hoses

OOC-RA-008

Control Of Visitors & Contractors On-board

OOC-RA-009

Cooking In Adverse Weather

OOC-RA-010

Disposal Of Galley Waste in Heavy Weather

OOC-RA-011

Disposal Of Waste

OOC-RA-012

Diving Operations

OOC-RA-013

Dry Bulk Tank Cleaning

OOC-RA-014

Dry Bulk Venting

OOC-RA-015

Electrical Repairs on LV systems

OOC-RA-016

Emergency Towing

OOC-RA-017

External Stairways

OOC-RA-018

General Cleaning On-board

OOC-RA-019

General Maintenance

OOC-RA-020

Arrival & Departure from Port

OOC-RA-021

General Navigation

OOC-RA-022

Handling Hoses At Offshore Location

OOC-RA-023

Handling Of Dangerous Goods

OOC-RA-024

Heavy Lifts Offshore

OOC-RA-025

Hot Work – Welding & Burning operations

OOC-RA-026

Lifting Of Gangway

OOC-RA-027

Loading & Discharging Deck Cargo

OOC-RA-028

Loading & Discharging Fuels & Noxious Liquids

OOC-RA-029

Working Within 500m Zones

OOC-RA-030

Manual Handling & lifting

OOC-RA-031

Working Aloft & at Height

OOC-RA-032

Mechanical Lifting

OOC-RA-033

Mooring & Unmooring Vessel

OOC-RA-034

Moving Around Vessel in Icy conditions

OOC-RA-035

Noxious Liquids in Bulk

OOC-RA-036

Oil Recovery Operations

OOC-RA-037

Operating OBM Valves at location

OOC-RA-038

Use of Pad Eyes

OOC-RA-039

Pax Transfer by Gangway

OOC-RA-040

Pax Transfer by Launch

OOC-RA-041

Pax Transfer by Personnel basket

OOS-RA-042

Working Overboard

OOC-RA-043

Working & Travelling in a Foreign Country

OOC-RA-044

Working on Machinery

OOC-RA-045

Changing LO and FO Filters

OOC-RA-046

Working & Cooking In Galley

OOC-RA-047

Safety In Accommodation

OOC-RA-048

Lone Working On Vessels

Risk Assessment No

                                     Title

OOC-RA-049

Enclosed space entry

OOC-RA-050

Testing Propulsion Systems In Port

OOC-RA-051

Use Of FRC

OOC-RA-052

Lifting, Moving & Storage of Gas Bottles

OOC-RA-053

Use Of hand Tools and portable Electrical Tools

OOC-RA-054

Use Of High Pressure Washer

OOC-RA-055

Use Of Pallet Trolley

OOC-RA-056

Use Of Vessels Crane

OOC-RA-057

Ship to ship fuel transfer

OOC-RA-058

Recovery of Persons

OOC-RA-059

Retrieving slipped anchor and chain

OOC-RA-060

Rigging of Razor Wire

OOC-RA-061

Maintaining Security Watch

OOC-RA-062

Hot Work – Grinding

OOC-RA-063

Weather Side Working

OOC-RA-064

Handling, Storage and Use of Chemicals

OOC-RA-065

Fuel transfer at port

OOC-RA-066

Health and hygiene on board

OOC-RA-067

Operation in Shallow Waters

OOC-RA-068

Cyber Security

OOC-RA-069

Unsafe Access leading to Slip, Trip and Fall

OOC-RA-070

Office Working Environment

Instructions and Guidelines

Toolbox Meeting Guide

1. Purpose

The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance as to how toolbox talks should be conducted on board the vessel.

2. Scope

This procedure applies to all vessels of the fleet.

3.      Definitions

3.1 Hazard
A source of possible harm or damage.

3.2 Risk
The likelihood that a hazard may occur as well as the consequences of the hazardous event.

3.3 Control Measures
The way that an incident is prevented from happening.

4. Responsibilities

The Master shall ensure that this procedure is followed.
It is the responsibility of all crew members to partake in any toolbox meetings that are associated with the work that they are to carry out.
It is the responsibility of the Master to make known hazards identified during the toolbox talks to head office for incorporation into the hazard register. The ‘Risk Assessment’ form should be used for this purpose.
It is the responsibility of the designated person to ensure that the hazard register is kept up to date and that amendments/additions are circulated to all vessels in the fleet.

5.      Procedures
5.1 General

The prime reasons for carrying out toolbox meetings are to make the crew aware of the safety aspects associated with a given task. Tool box talks are to be carried out to remind crew of any points raised during previous risk assessments as well as representing a means by which new risks or changes can be made known.

6.      Procedures

6.1 Why should we carry out a Toolbox Talk?
Toolbox safety meetings should be used to address actual problems on the job or onboard vessel. The officer/engineer leading the meeting can draw on the experience of all crewmembers onboard, and use that experience to remind everyone—especially newer ones—of the dangers of working with particular kinds of machinery, tools, equipment and materials.

In general a toolbox talk should take place prior to a job taking place, especially, if there are changes from the normal. A toolbox meeting may therefore be required under the following circumstances;

• When a toolbox talk is listed as a control measure for a particular task.
• If there is a change in the weather.
• If the task has not being carried out for a week or more.
• If someone new is to carryout or assist with the task.
• If different equipment is to be used.
• If there has been a change in the surroundings since the task was last carried out.
• If there has been a recent incident associated with the task that needs to be discussed.
• If there are changes required to PPE required.
• If new regulations or legislation has been introduced that is associated with the task.
• If anyone associated with the task wished to discuss some aspect of the work to be carried out.
• Any other reason.

6.3 What should be talked about?
Choose the topic carefully. Topics should be about health and safety problems that really exist on the job. Research the problem before the meeting if possible. You can refer to:-

• company’s SMS procedures .
• the hazard register.
• the Code of Safe Working Practices for Seamen (a copy of which is on board your vessel).
• the manufacturer's operations manual (for machinery, equipment, etc).
• the material safety data sheet (for handling toxic substances).
• safety alerts/flashes.
• any relevant, publication, materials, newsletters, etc.

Talk about work practices, machinery, tools, equipment, materials, attitudes, and anything else that may cause or contribute to a work-related accident or illness.
Keep the topic relevant. If you are doing ‘hot work’, talk about precautions against fire/explosion and the Permit-to-Work system. If you are working aloft (or outboard), talk about lifelines and safety belts.
Everyone taking part in the talk should be encouraged to express their views as ratings often have valuable inputs and are often aware where the dangers are.

6.4 Toolbox Talk Reporting
The brief details of a toolbox talk should be logged in the Bridge Logbook or the Engineroom logbook as required. There is no need, unless it felt necessary, to minute the meetings and file reports.

Hot work is any procedure that might involve or have the potential to generate sufficient heat, sparks or flame to cause a fire. Hot work includes welding, flame cutting, soldering, brazing, grinding and the use of other equipment incorporating a flame, e.g. tar boilers, etc

Hot Work Safety

Do not operate equipment for welding and related thermal processes unless you are thoroughly familiar with the process and the equipment including the response to fire and emergencies, and have been approved as competent by the Chief Engineer. Preparation for hot work should include, without being limited to, the safety measures listed below. Reference should also be made to the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen.

Hot Work within Port Limits
Within port Limits, the permission of the Port Authority is normally required before any hot work may commence. It should be noted that in many instances the authority granted by port ByeLaws extends over anchorage and approach waters extending considerable distances from the docks, jetties or wharves. Hot work must not be allowed during bunkering operations or whilst loading bulk flammable liquids, dry bulk cargoes or explosives.

Hot Work within Installation 500-meter zone
All hot work shall be suspended while the vessel is within the 500-metre safety zone of an installation.

Hot Work Procedure

All relevant check lists and permits for hot work shall have been issued. Hot work permits must take account of the condition of bordering areas, spaces and pipework, which must be gas free. If work is being done outside the workshop the operator is to be accompanied by an assistant, protected like the operator. If work has to be done within a confined space the assistant should be placed outside, within view of the welder, and able to rapidly cut off the gas or power supplies.

Work Site

Tidy up the work site and ensure that it is free of any flammable materials, liquids and gases. Remove any such material from the work site (and adjacent spaces, including spaces above and below decks, behind bulkheads and inside pipes or containers which are to be worked on) to a safe distance. Cover any openings through which sparks may reach other areas, which have not been prepared for hot work.
If necessary shield the work site to protect others from sparks and radiation from the arc, and post a warning sign that welding is in progress. Sufficient and correct fire fighting equipment is to be available at the work site, and personnel familiar with its use are to be in attendance. A watch is to be kept on areas not visible to the welder that may be affected. The work site is to be properly ventilated, if necessary with fume extraction equipment and fresh air supply. This is especially important when working on galvanised or other coated surfaces which may produce harmful fumes when heated.

Gas Cylinders

Store gas cylinders in suitable separate storage rooms above deck, with no ignition sources, and marked with "No Smoking" notices. Avoid excessive temperatures. Where installed, fixed gas distribution systems shall be used, to reduce the need to transport cylinders around the ship. Great care is required to ensure that outlets not in use are properly isolated and capped.
Oxygen pressure should always be higher than Acetylene, to prevent backflow. Acetylene is dangerous at pressures above 1 atmosphere. Only acetylene cylinders of approximately equal pressure should be coupled.
Gas cylinders should always be fitted with valve caps before being moved, and cylinder trolleys used for transport. Cylinders shall be secured in upright position. Acetylene and oxygen regulators shall be fitted with flashback arrestors. Cylinders shall be protected from heat and mechanical damage. The valve opening of Acetylene cylinders shall point away from other compressed gas cylinders and a heat resistant mitten shall always be available.

Equipment

All equipment must be checked by a competent person before use. If in any doubt about its condition or safety the Chief Engineer must be consulted. When not in use equipment should be cleaned and stowed in a dry safe place.
Check that any electrical power source functions correctly according to relevant instructions and regulations, and is correctly connected to the mains with correct voltage and frequency, and that you are familiar with the operator instructions. DC voltage should not exceed 70V, with minimum ripple. Hoses are to be in good condition, with no leaks or damage, and with correct colour coding for the gases in use. (Red for Acetylene, Blue for Oxygen, Black for shielding gases and filtered air). Use the correct hose connectors and hose clamps.
Check all gas connections for leaks, including torch valves. Replace any defective gaskets with specified new gaskets only. Never use oil or grease in connection with welding gases and never use alloys containing more than 65% copper or 45% silver in connection with Acetylene. Any hose in which a flashback has occurred must be discarded. Cables are to be of oil resistant type with undamaged insulation and properly mounted cable connectors.
Use safety cable connectors where both halves have recessed current carrying parts to protect from accidental contact. Check that torches and electrode holders are in good working order, including checks of blowpipes, nozzles, electrodes and insulation. Electrode holders should be fully insulated.
If cracked they should not be used. Keep hoses and cables clear of passageways and protected from sparks, hot metal and mechanical damage in doorways, hatches etc.

Personal Protection

When working, wear non-conducting safety shoes and a clean natural fibre boiler suit with long sleeves. Do not wear clothes of highly combustible materials or manmade fibres, or clothes that are wet, and do not carry combustible material, e.g. matches, lighters, oily rags. Never touch electrically live parts, e.g. the welding electrode, without being properly insulated. Dry leather welding gloves should always be used, and when appropriate a dry leather apron for protection against sparks, heat and electric shock. Use head and face protection (helmet, shield, goggles) according to the job.
Ensure that filter glasses are unbroken and have the correct shade. Where necessary use a dust filter or breathing apparatus to avoid inhaling fumes and dust from the welding process.
Never use Acetylene or Oxygen to blow away dust from yourself or the work site. Always keep dry and keep the work site dry, especially when arc welding.

When work is interrupted or ended

Always switch off the welding machine and close off the gas supply at the gas outlet station or cylinder valve, even during short breaks. Always remove the electrode from the electrode holder.
Do not leave the work site unattended. When hot work is completed. The work site shall be inspected at regular intervals to ensure that no risk of fire remains, for at least 2 hours after completion. Only when this has been assured should fire fighting equipment be returned to its normal storage place.

Enclosed spaces are defined as any enclosed or confined spaces which are not continuously or normally ventilated and in which the atmosphere may be liable to have an adverse effect on the health of any person. Examples of such spaces are cargo, ballast, bunker or fresh water tanks, double bottoms, cofferdams, chain lockers boiler furnaces, pipes or flues and crankcases.

An Entry Permit must be completed and authorised immediately prior to entry into any enclosed space. The only exceptions to this rule are for emergency rescue purposes or where a valid entry permit issued by a shore authority covers the space.
A tank is said to be fit for entry when the space has been ventilated and tests confirm that the oxygen content is sufficient. Oxygen deficiency must always be suspected in a cargo tank, which has contained hydrocarbon vapour or inert gas, or in a compartment which has been sealed for any length of time. Entry to the tanks must not be made until 21% oxygen indicated on a properly calibrated oxygen analyser. (Equal to that from samples taken away from tank in fresh air).
No person shall enter any cargo, ballast, or bunker tank, cofferdam, double bottom, peak tank or similar enclosed space unless:
1. A valid entry permit has been issued.
2. Pipe work and machinery are correctly isolated.
3. The space has been effectively ventilated and gas freed.
4. Ventilation is maintained throughout Entry
5. Adequate lighting and safe access has been provided.
6. Emergency equipment is ready for use at entrance.
7. A responsible Officer is in attendance and the Deck O.O.W. has been notified.
8. Communications procedures have been agreed.

Particular attention to the maintenance of a gas free atmosphere is essential if adjacent compartments contain bulk volatile cargo. The O.O.W. shall be notified immediately on completion of the tank entry on each occasion of entry. When repetitive access is necessary, the entry permit conditions shall be revalidated after each meal break or similar interruption.

NB: SCBA sets for emergency rescue from enclosed space must not be used for other purposes

Auxiliary Machinery and Equipment
Before work is started on an electric generator or auxiliary machine, the machine should be stopped and the starting air valve or similar device should be secured so that it cannot be operated. A notice should be posted warning that the machine is not to be started nor the turning gear used. To avoid the danger of motoring and electric shock to any person working on the machine, it should be isolated electrically From the switchboard or started before work is commenced. The circuit breaker should be opened and a notice posted at the switchboard warning personnel that the breaker is to be closed. Where practicable, the circuit breaker should be locked open.

Electrical Equipment
The risks of electric shock are much greater on board ship than they are normally ashore because wetness, high humidity and high temperature (including sweating) reduce the contact resistance of the body. In those conditions, severe and even fatal shocks may be caused at voltages as low as 60v. It should also be borne in mind that cuts and abrasions significantly reduce skin resistance. A notice of instructions on the treatment of electric shock should be posted in every place containing electrical equipment and switchgear. Immediate on the spot treatment of an unconscious patient is essential.
Before any work is done on electrical equipment, fuses should be removed or circuit breakers opened to ensure that all related circuits are dead. If possible, switches and circuit breakers should be locked open or, alternatively, a ‘not to be closed’ notice attached. Where a fuse has been removed, the person working on the equipment until the job is finished should retain it. A check should be made that any interlocks or other safety devices are operative.
Additional precautions are necessary to ensure safety when work is to be undertaken on high voltage equipment (designed to operate at a nominal system voltage in excess of 1Kv). The work should be carried out by, or under the direct supervision of, a competent person with sufficient technical knowledge and a permit to work system should be operated.
Some parts of certain types of equipment may remain live even when the equipment is switched off. Power should always be cut off at the mains. Flammable materials should never be left or stored near switchboards. Work on or near live equipment should be avoided if possible but when it is essential for the safety of the ship or for testing purposes, the following precautions should be taken:
A second person, who should be competent in the treatment of electric shock, should be continually in attendance.
The working position adopted should be safe and secure to avoid accidental contact with the live parts.
Insulated gloves should be worn where practicable.
Contact with the deck, particularly if it is wet, should be avoided. Footwear may give inadequate insulation if it is damp or has metal studs or rivets. The use of a dry insulating mat all times is recommended. Contact with bare metal should be avoided. A hand-to-hand shock is especially dangerous. To minimise the risk of a second contact should the working hand accidentally touch a live part, one hand should be kept in a trouser pocket whenever practicable. Wrist watches, metal identity bracelets and rings should be removed. They provide low resistance contacts with the skin. Metal fittings on clothing or footwear are also dangerous.

Meter probes should have only minimum amounts of metal exposed and insulation of both probes should be in good condition. Care should be taken that the probes do not short circuit adjacent connections. When measuring voltages that are greater than 250v, the probe should be attached and removed with the circuit dead.

General Handling of hazardous substances is part of the normal day routine aboard a ship. A full risk assessment needs to be carried out. Refer to Chapter 27 of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen.

Onboard Standards

It is important that the use of hazardous substances is carefully controlled onboard. Hazardous substances must only be stowed in designated areas. Full safety data must be available for all such substances onboard. Untrained personnel must not be allowed to use hazardous substances unsupervised.

Hazardous Substances Stowage

Hazardous substances should only be stowed onboard in designated stowage areas. There may be a number of these areas onboard, however the fewer areas there are, the easier the operation is to manage. All hazardous substances stowage areas must at least conform to the following minimum requirements:
i) The stowage area should not be near any source of ignition.
ii) The stowage area must not be near an emergency escape route. iii) All containers must be able to be secured against vessel movement.
iv) There must be no hazardous substances stowed in the same area, which react with each other.
v) The area must be clearly marked as a designated hazardous substances stowage area.
vi) A clear list must be available showing which hazardous substances are to be stowed in that area.
vii) Hazard or Safety Data Sheets must be available at the stowage area for all the hazardous substances in that stowage area. Clear instructions for the hazardous substances use and required personal protection should be prominently displayed.
viii) Any extra Personal Protective Equipment that is required for using the hazardous substances must be available at the designated stowage area. E.g. gloves and visors.
ix) There must be an eye wash station at the designated stowage area.
x) A copy of the Permit Hazardous Substancesl Handling SO-0109 must be available in the hazardous substances stowage area.
xi) A copy of the Chemical Locker Sign should be displayed at each designated stowage point.

The setting up of hazardous substances stowage area in itself will not increase hazardous substances handling awareness without training and guidance for all ships personnel. Prior to using hazardous substances a documented risk assessment should be carried out to identify all the possible hazards and the required precautions.

Disposal of Hazardous Substances must be done in accordance with the vessels Garbage Management Plan.