Precautions to be taken in the event of hot work
Hot Work Operations – Image Credit: OSHA
The UK MAIB has issued this yearSafety Digest including lessons learnt from maritime accidents. One case highlights the importance of effective controls during hot work onbaord.
The precautions to be taken in the event ofhot work being carried out are well establishedand known to all but the most inexperienced ofseafarers. It is worrying that virtually none ofthe hot work procedures laid out in the vessel’sSMS or those detailed by the contractor werecomplied with.
In a case inluded in latest UK MAIB’s Safety Digest (Case 14) , the ambivalent approach to safetycould have easily cost lives and resulted insevere damage to the vessel.
If it hadn’t beenfor the prompt action of the chief engineer inraising the alarm and closing doors to preventthe spread of fire and smoke, the 180,000repair costs would have been far greater.
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Lessons learnt 1. When considering approving hot work,do make sure that the safety procedures,including conducting a risk assessmentas laid out in the SMS, are fully compliedwith. 2. Pre-operation “tool box” talks are veryuseful in ensuring all those involved arefully aware of the precautions to be taken,the alert procedures and the scope of work. 3. Hot work contractors will also havetheir own company procedures to follow;it would be helpful to cover these duringthe “tool box” talk. 4. Do search adjacent compartments forflammable materials before the start ofhot work. Remove them where there isa risk of ignition. 5. Make sure if you are a fire sentry that youare able to communicate with the personconducting the hot work so you can alerthim/her to dangers. 6. Do take time to brief contractors onthe action to be taken in an emergency.This should be clearly laid out in thevessel’s SMS. 7. The fire alarm and public address systemare very quick methods of alerting thoseon board to dangers or general advice.Their effectiveness depends significantly oncoverage throughout the vessel. Do attendto defects and “blank” spots promptly |
Source:UK MAIB, Safety Digest 1/2014
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For more information on Hot Work and safety measures taken on board, please read the following relevant articles: |
