This chapter should give an introduction to the connection between near accidents
and serious or major injury different types of accidents and injuries and how
to avoid them chemical health hazards ergonomics
it was stated in the previous section that many of these accidents could have
been avoided if the near accidents had been reported a lot of these accidents
can also be avoided if the correct protection equipment safety clothing and
safety procedures are used the job of preventing injuries and accidents from
happening can be categorized as follows information and training of the
personnel ensuring that correct protective equipment is available and is
used following up reports ensuring that correct routines for maintenance are
followed avoid or reduce the risk of burns from steam heated oil boilers etc
by using gloves boiler suits and protective shoes suitable for the
purpose avoid or reduce the risk of burns from cooking by being careful and
observant avoid or reduce the risk of burns from chemicals by using gloves
special protective suits and protective shoes suitable for the purpose always
use eye protection like safety goggles or face screen when working with
chemicals corrosion protection painting or other maintenance operations use
clothing suited for the climate you are working in the parts of the body most
likely to get frozen our hands and fingers feet and toes nose and ears do
not protect your hands and feet with rags but use the proper clothing
available clothing suitable are necessary for working in cold climates
is gloves boots boiler suits jackets face masks always use a helmet when
working on deck in the engine room in tanks or cargo holes use a face mask or
other suitable breathing equipment and safety line when entering tanks and
close spaces where exposure to harmful substances is likely to occur never
enter tanks without having a standby watch positioned at the tank hatch most
injuries from falling caused by falling from lower heights
like lettuce rope ladders stairs etc falling from Heights is often fatal
always fasten the ladder use a safety belt wire or rope when practical use a
safety net when practical don't carry equipment etc in your hands when
climbing ladders tools and equipment should be lowered or hoisted with a
separate rope for in a container use safety equipment suited for the
situation and remember this equipment is there to hinder injuries to avoid
injuries caused by slipping always use the correct footwear with rubber soles
painting the deck with skid proof paint can also be a solution in areas where
slipping is likely to happen remember to clean up small quantities of oil
immediately many injuries to back and shoulders can be avoided by using
suitable lifting equipment when available using trolleys when possible
practicing correct lifting techniques use proper ear protection like ear plugs
or ear pads when working in loud noise environment we can in general say that
ear pads give the best protection against noise to avoid injuries of this
type use gloves whenever possible be aware of the fact that this is the most
common injury so be careful always use protective boots or shoes when working
on deck in tanks cargo holds and engine room there are different load factors
that may influence you in how you do your work typical load factors are
listed below it is important to use correct lifting techniques to avoid
injuries to back and shoulders if the object is very heavy and/or warm two
persons have to carry the object between them a tip for carrying objects with
both hands is as follows the consequence of incorrect lifting techniques can be
as illustrated here some general principles for carrying are as listed
you should always protect your ears when exposed to loud noise typical situations
are working in the engine room but also when you are in contact with helicopters
and other noisy machinery it is important to have enough light when
working this applies also to your leisure time for example when you are
reading seafarers working on the bridge at night are especially in need of good
night vision and that the illumination is correct when exposed to sudden bright
light it will take several minutes to adjust so that night vision is restored
this is dependent on the person's age because older seafarers take longer to
adjust the shipping company and the management onboard have a responsibility
to keep a good environment onboard welfare related measures could be as
listed television and video entertainment library containing
different kinds of literature physical training equipment CBT computer-based
training giving you an opportunity to gain new knowledge and build up your
competence seamen are to be protected from chemical health hazards where
chemical substances are stored or used the seaman is to be protected and be
able to protect himself from accidents injury and particular discomfort as well
as the risk of long-term diseases the risk of exposure to dangerous chemicals
is not only from cargo but also from chemicals that are in daily use some
symptoms of injuries by exposure to chemicals are listed below exposure to
chemicals may lead to delay diseases