Working in cargo spaces on board general cargo vessel

Working in cargo spaces on board general cargo vessel

Safety arrangements prior to working cargo should ensure that adequate and suitable lifting plant is available, in accordance with the register of lifting appliances and cargo gear, and that all plant and equipment, and any special gear necessary is available and used. Cargo gear should be checked regularly throughout the cargo operation for damage or malfunction.

Repair or maintenance work, such as chipping, spray painting, shot- blasting or welding, should not be undertaken in a space where cargo operations are in progress, if such work could create a hazard to personnel working in the space.

Loads being lowered or hoisted should not pass or remain over any person engaged in any work in the cargo space area, or over means of access. Personnel should take care when using access ladders in hatch squares whilst cargo operations are in progress.

Cargo information for goods should always provide the gross mass of the cargo or of the cargo units. Where loads of significant gross mass are not marked with their weight, the loads should be check-weighed unless accurate information is available as provided by the shipper or packer of the goods.

A signaller should always be employed at a hatchway when cargo is being worked unless the crane driver or winchman has a complete unrestricted view of the load or total working area. The signaller should be in a position where he has a total view of the operation, where this is not possible then additional signallers should be used to assist.

Before giving a signal to hoist, the signaller should receive clearance from the person making up the load that it is secure, and should ascertain that no one else would be endangered by the hoist. Before giving the signal to lower, he should warn personnel in the way and ensure all are clear.

Loads should be raised and lowered smoothly, avoiding sudden jerks or `snatching'. When a load does not ride properly after being hoisted, the signaller should immediately give warning of danger and the load should be lowered and adjusted as necessary.

Hooks, slings and other gear should not be loaded beyond their safe working loads. Strops and slings should be of sufficient size and length to enable them to be used safely and be so applied and pulled sufficiently tight to prevent the load or any part of the load from slipping and falling. Loads (sets) should be properly put together and properly slung before they are hoisted or lowered.

Before any heavy load is swung, it should be given a trial lift in order to test the effectiveness of the slinging.

Except for the purpose of breaking out or making up slings, lifting hooks should not be attached to:

(a) the bands, strops or other fastenings of packages of cargo, unless these fastenings have been specifically provided for lifting purposes;

(b) the rims (chines) of barrels or drums for lifting purposes, unless the construction or condition of the barrels or drums is such as to permit lifting to be done safely with properly designed and constructed can hooks.

Suitable precautions, such as the use of packing or chafing pieces, should be taken to prevent chains, wire and fibre ropes from being damaged by the sharp edges of loads.

When slings are used with barrel hooks or other similar holding devices where the weight of the load holds the hooks in place, the sling should be led down through the egg or eye link and through the eye of each hook in turn so that the horizontal part of the sling draws the hooks together.

The angle between the legs of the slings should not normally exceed 90°, as this reduces the safe working load of the sling. Where this is not reasonably practicable, the angle may be increased up to 120° provided that the slings have been designed to work at the greater angles. However it should be noted that at 120°, each sling leg is taking stress equivalent to the whole mass of the load.

Trays and pallets (unit loads) should be hoisted with four-legged slings and where necessary, nets and other means should be used to prevent any part of the load falling.

Bundles of long metal goods such as tubes, pipes and rails, should be slung with two slings or strops and, where necessary, a spreader. A suitable lanyard should also be attached, where necessary.

Logs should be loaded or discharged using wire rope slings of adequate size; tongs should not be used except to break out loads.

Cargo buckets, tubs and similar appliances should be carefully fitted so that there is no risk of the contents falling out and be securely attached to the hoist (for example, by a shackle) to prevent tipping and displacement during hoisting and lowering.

Shackles should be used for slinging thick sheet metal, if there are suitable holes in the material; otherwise suitable clamps on an endless sling should be used.

Loose goods such as small parcels, carboys, small drums etc should be loaded or discharged in suitable boxes or pallets with sufficiently high sides, and lifted using four-legged slings.

Slings or chains being returned to the loading position should be securely hooked on the cargo hook before the signaller gives the signal to hoist. Hooks or claws should be attached to the egg link or shackle of the cargo hook, not allowed to hang loose. The cargo hook should be kept high enough to keep slings or chains clear of personnel and obstructions.

"One-trip slings", that is, slings which have not been used previously for lifting and are fitted to the load prior to loading, should not be taken back on board ship after the load is discharged at the end of the voyage, but should be left on shore for disposal.

When work is interrupted or has ceased for the time being, the hatch should be left in a safe condition, with either guard rails or the hatch covers in position.

Lighting in cargo spaces

During cargo operations cargo spaces should be adequately lit, avoiding strong contrasts of light and shadow or dazzle . Open or naked lights should not be used. Portable lights should be adequately guarded, suitable for the task, and firmly secured in such a manner that they cannot be accidentally damaged. Portable lights should never be lowered or suspended by their electrical leads, and leads should be run so that they are clear of loads, running gear and moving equipment.

The duties of deck personnel involved would include any or all of the following:

1. Prior to commencing cargo, and on the orders of the Chief Officer, the hold spaces would be inspected to ensure that they are ready in every way to receive cargo.They should be cleaned throughout with the bilge pump suctions tested.The hold lighting should be inspected and dunnage correctly laid if required.

2. Hatch covers should be opened (weather permitting) and secured in the correct stowage position.

3. The derricks or the cranes are rigged for correct operation.

4. Tween deck guard rails should be seen to be in place and secure, respective to tween deck vessels.

5. Regular checking of the holds should take place to ensure that holds are being loaded or discharged correctly. Notes should be taken of cargo parcels being loaded to be added to the cargo plan. If discharging, notes being taken of any damaged cargo to be reported to the Chief Officer.

6. All times of cargo work and stoppages are to be recorded in the deck log book.

7. Attention would be given throughout operations to prevent pilferage, smoking in cargo spaces, and damage to the vessel.

8. Where ‘general cargo’ is being loaded, visits to the shoreside warehouse to ensure continuity of flow and special cargoes can be catered for,would be anticipated.

9. Special cargoes which need specific requirements, such as tallying, lock up stow, hazardous goods, port separation or other similar needs should be catered for, and the Chief Officer kept informed on progress.

10. The overall deck security should be monitored throughout, inclusive of gangway and hold access points, fire precautions, ships draught and moorings together with tonnages and capacities loaded per space. Once operations are complete (for the day) the hatches should be secured and locked.

Summarized below some more details on general cargo ship cargo handling procedure and operational info:

Cargo handling procedure for general cargo ship

Working in cargo spaces on board general cargo vessel

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