Safety and Health in Shipbuilding and Ship Repair

Safety and health
in shipbuilding
and ship repair
Contents
Safety and health in shipbuilding

and ship repair
Revised edition
ILO code of practice Contents

and ship repair
Revised edition
INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE • GENEVA

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First published 1974
Revised edition 2019
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ILO code of practice: Safety and health in shipbuilding and ship repair. International Labour
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ISBN 978-92-2-131709-8 (print)
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Also available in French: La sécurité et la santé dans le secteur de la construction et de la
réparation navales. Recueil de directives pratiques du BIT (édition révisée) (ISBN 978-92-
2-231120-0 (print); ISBN 978-92-2-231121-7 (pdf web)), Geneva, 2019 and in Spanish:
Seguridad y salud en la construcción y reparación de buques. Repertorio de recomenda-
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Preface
The ILO Code of practice on safety and health in ship-

building and ship repair was adopted by a Meeting of Experts Contents
held in Geneva from 22 to 26 January 2018, in accordance with
a Governing Body decision at its 329th Session (March 2017).
The meeting was attended by 22 experts and their advisers -
eight experts nominated by the Governments of Brazil, China,
Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Nigeria, Philippines and
Singapore; eight nominated by the Employers’ group of the
Governing Body; and six nominated by the Workers’ group
of the Governing Body. Expert observers from other govern-
ments, and observers from intergovernmental and non-govern-
mental organizations, also attended the meeting.
This code of practice replaces an earlier code that was
adopted in 1973 and was considered outdated, in view of tech-
nological and other developments that have taken place since
then.
The good spirit of cooperation among all participants paved
the way for developing consensus on a new, comprehensive and
practical code that will help to raise the profile of safety and
health issues in shipbuilding and ship repair in all parts of the
world, and contribute to the health, morale and well-being of
workers in the industry.
The text of the code was approved for publication by the
Governing Body of the ILO at its 334th Session (October–
November 2018).
Alette van Leur
Director
Sectoral Policies Department
v
Sectoral codes of practice
ILO Sectoral codes of practice are reference tools setting out

principles that can be reflected in the design and implementa- Contents
tion of policies, strategies, programmes, legislation, adminis-
trative measures and social dialogue mechanisms in particular
economic sectors or clusters of sectors. Sectoral codes of practice
are adopted by Meetings of Experts comprising governments,
employers and workers. They can be implemented progressively
to take into account different national settings, cultures, and
social, economic, environmental and political contexts.
Sectoral codes of practice draw their principles from the
ILO’s international labour standards (Conventions and
Recommendations) and other sources, including Declarations,
codes of conduct and other policy guidance adopted and endorsed
by the International Labour Conference or the ILO Governing
Body. They also draw on other international agreements and
policy in the sector concerned, as well as on relevant trends and
developments in regional and national law and practice.
Sectoral codes of practice focus on the issues that are pri-
orities for governments, employers and workers, and that are
unique to particular economic sectors and industries. While
international labour standards normally deal with more general
principles of labour law and practice, Sectoral codes of practice
specify the principles and processes that could be implemented
to promote decent work in particular workplaces or contexts.
They benefit from the expertise of practitioners in the relevant
sectors to capture good industry practices and innovations.
Sectoral codes of practice are not legally binding. They are not
subject to ratification or supervisory mechanisms established
vii
Safety and health in shipbuilding and ship repair
under the ILO’s international labour standards. Sectoral codes

of practice can therefore be aspirational in scope and expand
on principles laid down in international labour standards and
other international agreements and policy, all the while recog-
nizing that they can be adapted to different national systems
and circumstances. As such, ILO standards and other tools or Contents
guidance adopted and endorsed by the International Labour

Conference and/or the Governing Body form the foundation
on which Sectoral codes of practice build further. It is there-
fore understood that Sectoral codes of practice are based on the
full principles, rights, and obligations set out in international
labour standards, and nothing set out in these codes of practice
should be understood as lowering such standards.
viii
Contents
Contents
Preface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Sectoral codes of practice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii
Acronyms, abbreviations and definitions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xix
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1. General provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1. Purpose and objectives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.2. Application and scope. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.3. Reference to ILO instruments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2. General obligations, responsibilities,
duties and rights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.1. Cooperation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.2. Competent authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2.1. General provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.2.2. Inspectorates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2.3. Employers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.4. Workers ...................................... 17
2.5. Suppliers, manufacturers and designers . . . . . . . . . . 21
2.6. Contractors and subcontractors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3. Occupational safety and health
management systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.1. Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
3.2. Occupational safety and health policy . . . . . . . . . . . 26
ix
3.2.1. Worker participation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

3.3. Initial review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
3.4. Hazard identification, risk assessment and preventive
and protective measures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
3.4.1. Hazard identification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Contents
3.4.2. Risk assessment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.4.3. Risk control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3.4.4. Evaluation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.5. Contingency and emergency preparedness . . . . . . . 32
3.5.1. Emergency preparedness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
3.5.2. First aid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
3.5.3. Rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
4. Management of change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5. Reporting, recording and notification
of work-related injuries and diseases,
ill health and dangerous occurrences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
5.1. General provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
5.2. Reporting at the level of the facility. . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
5.3. Recording at the level of the facility . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
5.4. Notification of work-related injuries. . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
5.5. Notification of occupational diseases . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
6. Safety and health organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
6.1. Occupational health services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
6.2. Safety and health officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
6.3. Safety and health committees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
6.4. Worker safety and health representatives. . . . . . . . . 54
7. General preventive and protective measures. . . . . . . . . 57
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Contents

7.2. Means of access and egress. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
7.3. Prevention of unauthorized entry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
7.4. Roadways, quays, yards and other places . . . . . . . . . 58
7.5. Transport of workers by water. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Contents
7.6. Multiple people carriers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

7.7. Heating, cooling and ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
7.7.1. Heating and cooling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
7.7.2. Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
7.8. Housekeeping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
7.9. Dangerous atmospheres and confined spaces . . . . . 63
7.10. Scaffolds .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
7.10.1. General. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
7.10.2. Materials. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
7.10.3. Design and construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
7.10.4. Prefabricated scaffolds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
7.10.5. Use of scaffolds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
7.10.6. Lifting appliances on scaffolds. . . . . . . . . . . 68
7.10.7. Inspection and maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
7.10.8. Dismantling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
7.10.9. Suspended scaffolds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
7.10.10. Platforms attached to lifting appliances
and mobile elevated working platforms. . . 71
7.10.11. Mobile scaffolding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
7.11. Ladders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
7.12. Precautions against the fall of persons
and materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
xi
7.13. Fire prevention and firefighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

7.14. Means of escape in case of fire
or other dangers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
7.15. Signs, notices, colour codes
and communication. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
8. Operational planning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Contents
8.1. General requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

8.2. Preparation of safe workplans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
8.3. Permit-to-work system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
8.3.1. Application. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
8.3.2. Implementation of permit-to-work
system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
9. Health and safety requirements for the most
common hazardous operations and tasks
in the construction and repair of ships. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
9.1. Docks and docking operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
9.2. Hull construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
9.2.1. Prefabricated sections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
9.2.2. Hoisting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
9.3. Surface preparation and preservation . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
9.3.1. Toxic cleaning solvents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
9.3.2. Chemical paint and preservative
removers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
9.3.3. Power tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
9.3.4. Flame removal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
9.3.5. Abrasive blasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
9.4. Painting ...................................... 100
9.4.1. Spray painting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
xii
Contents
9.4.2. Paints and tank coatings dissolved

in highly volatile, toxic and flammable
solvents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
9.4.3. Drying. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
9.4.4. Other provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Contents
9.5. Welding, flame-cutting and hot work. . . . . . . . . . . . 108
9.5.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
9.5.2. Welding at places with fire risks. . . . . . . . . . 110
9.5.3. Heating in confined spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
9.5.4. Welding on containers for explosive
or flammable substances. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
9.5.5. Gas welding and cutting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
9.5.5.1. Use of fuel gas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
9.5.5.2. Manifolds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
9.5.5.3. Hose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
9.5.5.4. Torches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
9.5.6. Electric arc welding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
9.5.6.1. Manual electrode holders. . . . . . . . 118
9.5.6.2. Welding cables and connectors. . . 119
9.5.6.3. Ground returns and machine
grounding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
9.5.6.4. Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
9.5.7. Gas metal arc welding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
9.5.8. Protective clothing and equipment. . . . . . . 123
9.6. Installation or repair of boilers,
piping and ship machinery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
9.6.1. Boilers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
xiii
9.6.2. Piping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

9.6.3. Propulsion machinery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
9.6.4. Deck machinery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
10. Hazardous substances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
10.1. General provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131 Contents
10.2. Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

10.3. Monitoring for chemical hazards
in the workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
10.3.1. General principles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
10.3.2. Measuring methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
10.3.3. Monitoring strategy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
10.3.4. Record keeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
10.3.5. Interpretation and application
of monitoring data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
10.4. Control measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
10.5. Chemical safety data sheets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
10.6. Health surveillance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
11. Physical hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
11.2. Slips and trips. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
11.3. Noise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
11.4. Vibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
11.5. Lighting .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
11.6. Electricity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
11.6.1. General provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
11.6.2. Insulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
11.6.3. Control devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
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Contents
11.6.4. Distribution boxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

11.6.5. Earthing systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
11.6.6. Overload and earth leakage
protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
11.6.7. Transformers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Contents
11.6.8. Conductors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
11.6.9. Switchboards and switchgear . . . . . . . . . . . 162
11.6.10. Protection of portable, transportable
and mobile machines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
11.6.11. Miscellaneous safety procedures. . . . . . . . . 163
11.7. Electric and magnetic fields. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
11.8. Optical radiation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
11.9. Ionizing radiation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
11.10. R adiography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
11.11. Heat and cold stress and wet conditions . . . . . . . . . 168
11.11.1. Hot working environments. . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
11.11.2. Cold working environments. . . . . . . . . . . . 171
11.11.3. Rainy or wet working environments. . . . . 171
12. Ergonomical hazards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
13. Biological hazards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
14. Safety requirements for tools, machines
and equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
14.2. Hand tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
14.3. Power-driven tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
14.3.1. Pneumatic tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
14.3.2. Hydraulic tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
xv
14.3.3. Cartridge-operated tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

14.3.4. Electrical tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
14.3.5. Stored energy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
14.4. Tools for plate-cutting, flame-cutting
and other hot work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 Contents
14.5. Abrasive wheels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

14.6. Gas cylinders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
14.6.1. General requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
14.6.2. Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
14.6.3. Moving and handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
14.7. Lifting appliances and gear. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
14.7.1. General requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
14.7.2. Cranes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
14.7.3. Forklifts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
14.7.4. Equipment for lifting persons. . . . . . . . . . . . 202
14.7.5. Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
14.7.6. Ropes, chains and accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
14.7.6.1. Chains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
14.7.6.2. Hooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
14.7.6.3. Wire ropes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
14.7.6.4. Synthetic fibre ropes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
14.7.6.5. Safe operation of lifting gear. . . . . 208
14.7.6.6. Shackles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209
14.8. The use of robots and modern technology. . . . . . . . 209
15. Competence, education and training. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
15.1. General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
xvi
Contents
15.2. Qualification of managers and supervisors . . . . . . . 216

15.3. Qualification and training for workers. . . . . . . . . . . 216
15.4. Qualifications of contractors, subcontractors
and other third parties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
16. Personal protective equipment and protective
Contents
clothing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
16.2. Clothing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
16.3. Head protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
16.4. Face and eye protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
16.5. Hand and foot protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
16.6. Respiratory protective equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
16.7. Hearing protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
16.8. Protectors against radioactive contamination. . . . . 226
16.9. Protection from falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
17. Special protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
17.1. Employment and social insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
17.2. Working hours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
17.3. Night work. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
17.4. Working alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
17.5. Fatigue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
17.6. Alcohol and drugs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
17.7. HIV and AIDS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
18. Welfare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
18.2. Drinking water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
18.3. Sanitary and washing facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
xvii
18.4. Facilities for changing and storing clothing . . . . . . 238

18.5. Facilities and shelters for food and drink. . . . . . . . . 238
18.6. Living accommodation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
Appendices Contents
I. Workers’ health surveillance

(adapted from ILO Technical and ethical guidelines
for workers’ health surveillance, 1998). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249
II. Surveillance of the working environment
(based on the Occupational Health Services
Recommendation, 1985 (No. 171)). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255
xviii
Acronyms, abbreviations and definitions
In this code of practice (“code”), the following terms are

used in the meaning assigned to them below:
Contents
Competent authority: A ministry, government department or
other public authority with the power to issue regulations, orders
or other instructions having the force of law and enforce them.
Competent person: A person with suitable training and suffi-
cient knowledge, experience and skills for the safe performance
of the specific work.
Contractor: A person or enterprise providing services to an
employer at the employer’s facility in accordance with national
laws and regulations, or with agreed specifications, terms and
conditions. For the purpose of this code of practice, contractors
include principal contractors and labour supply agents.
Dangerous occurrence: Readily identifiable event, as defined
under national laws and regulations, with potential to cause
injury or disease to people at work or the general public.
Employer: Any physical or legal person that employs one
or more workers in a shipbuilding or ship repair facility and,
as the context requires, the operator, the principal contractor,
contractor or subcontractor.
Engineering controls: Use of technical measures, such as
enclosure, ventilation and workplace design, to minimize expo-
sure to hazards.
Exposure limit: An exposure level specified or recommended
by a competent authority to limit injury to health.
Guard: A part of machinery specifically designed to provide
protection by means of a physical barrier.
xix
Guard rail: An adequately secured rail erected along an

exposed edge to prevent persons from falling.
Hazard: Has the inherent potential to cause injury or
damage to a person’s health.
IMO: International Maritime Organization.
IPCS: International Programme on Chemical Safety. Contents
Occupational disease: A disease contracted as a result of an

exposure to risk factors arising from work activity.
Occupational health services: Services entrusted with essen-
tially preventive functions and responsible for advising the
employer, the workers and their representatives in the facili-
ties on the requirements for establishing and maintaining a
safe and healthy working environment, which will facilitate
optimal physical and mental health in relation to work, and on
the adaptation of work to the capabilities of workers in light of
their state of physical and mental health.
OSH: Occupational safety and health.
OSH management system: A set of inter-related or inter-
acting elements to establish OSH policy and objectives and to
achieve those objectives.
PPE: Personal protective equipment.
Risk: A combination of the likelihood of an occurrence of
a hazardous event and the severity of injury or damage to the
health of people caused by this event.
Risk assessment: The process of identifying, analysing and
evaluating risks to safety and health arising from hazards at
work.
Safety and health officer: A person with sufficient skills,
knowledge and experience who assists employers and workers
in assessing, designing, planning and implementing safety
xx
Acronyms, abbreviations and definitions
activities and helps maintain an effective OSH management

system.
Safety and health committee: A committee with representa-
tion of worker safety and health representatives and employer
representatives, established and functioning according to
national laws, regulations or practice. Contents
Subcontractor: A person or an enterprise being contracted by

the main contractor or employer to carry out work or deliver
services, labour or materials as part of a larger project.
WHO: World Health Organization.
Worker: Any person who performs work, either regularly or
temporarily, for an employer.
Worker representative: In accordance with the Workers’
Representatives Convention, 1971 (No. 135), any person who
is recognized as such by national law or practice, whether they
are:
a) trade union representatives, namely, representatives des-
ignated or elected by trade unions or by members of such
unions; or
b) elected representatives, namely, representatives who are
freely elected by the workers of the enterprise in accord-
ance with provisions of national laws or regulations or of
collective agreements, and whose functions do not include
activities which are recognized as the exclusive prerogative
of trade unions in the country concerned.
Work-related injuries, ill health and diseases: Negative
impacts on health arising from exposure to chemical, biolog-
ical, physical, work-organizational and psychosocial factors at
work.
xxi
Introduction
1. In accordance with the decision taken by the Governing

Body of the ILO at its 329th Session in March 2017, a Meeting
of Experts on Safety and Health in Shipbuilding and Ship Contents
Repair was convened in Geneva from 22 to 26 January 2018

to review and adopt a revised ILO code of practice (“code”)
on safety and health in shipbuilding and ship repair. The
Meeting was composed of eight experts appointed following
consultations with Governments, eight experts appointed fol-
lowing consultations with the Employers’ group and six experts
appointed following consultations with the Workers’ group of
the Governing Body.
2. Codes of practice are primarily designed as a basis for
prevention, protective and corrective measures and are, in the
area of safety and health, considered as ILO technical stand-
ards in occupational safety and health (OSH). The Governing
Body agreed to the publication of the original code of prac-
tice on Safety and Health in Shipbuilding and Ship Repairing
in 1973 and it was published the following year. This revised
code reflects the many changes in the industry, its workforce,
the roles of the competent authorities, shipowners, employers,
workers and their organizations, and the development of new
ILO instruments on OSH.
3. The first chapter provides an overview of the code’s
purpose, objectives and use. The general obligations, respon-
sibilities, duties and rights of the stakeholders are outlined in
the second chapter. Chapters 3–6 outline general principles,
including on OSH management systems, management of
change, OSH reporting and safety and health organization.
Chapter 7 contains general preventive and protective measures
1
in the workplace, while Chapter 8 concerns operational plan-

ning, safe workplans and permit-to-work systems. Chapter 9
outlines health and safety requirements in the most common
shipbuilding and ship repair operations. Chapters 10–13 pro-
vide detailed descriptions of hazardous substances, physical
hazards, ergonomic and biological hazards, while Chapter 14 Contents
concerns safety requirements for tools, machines and equip-

ment. Chapter 15 addresses the competence and training of
managers, workers and contractors and Chapter 16 contains
guidance on personal protective equipment (PPE). Finally,
Chapters 17 and 18 outline measures for special protection and
general welfare.
2
1. General provisions
1.1. Purpose and objectives

1. The purpose of this code is to provide practical guid- Contents
ance for the use of all those, both in the public and private
sectors, who have obligations, responsibilities, duties and
rights regarding safety and health in shipbuilding and ship
repair.
2. This code should contribute to improved safety and
health in the context of sustainable development by:
a) protecting all workers in shipbuilding and ship repair from
workplace hazards;
b) preventing or reducing work-related injuries and diseases, ill
health and dangerous occurrences;
c) formulating and implementing a coherent national policy
and principles on OSH and the welfare of workers in ship-
building and ship repair facilities and on the protection of
the general working environment;
d) promoting effective consultation and cooperation between
governments, shipowners, employers, workers and their
organizations in the improvement of OSH in shipbuilding
and ship repair;
e) establishing the respective role and obligations of the com-
petent authorities and the responsibilities, duties and rights
of shipowners, employers, workers and all other parties
involved with regard to workplace hazards;
f) improving the management of OSH risks at each workplace
through the implementation and integration of consistent
OSH management systems; and
3
g) improving OSH knowledge and competence in shipbuilding

and ship repair.
1.2. Application and scope
1. This code is applicable to all shipbuilding and ship
repair facilities irrespective of the nature of the facility (pier, Contents
dry dock, building dock, slipway, workshops of contractors or

other types of assembling locations).
2. The code provides guidance, in accordance with the
provisions of national laws and regulations, to:
a) all government authorities, shipowners, employers, workers
and their respective organizations and industry associations,
whether they have a legislative or advisory role, whose activ-
ities influence the safety, health and welfare of workers in
shipbuilding and ship repairing; and
b) all individuals at the level of shipbuilding and ship repair
facilities, that is employers, persons in control of premises,
workers, contractors and subcontractors, as appropriate to
their duties and responsibilities for OSH.
3. The code is not a legally binding instrument and its
provisions are not intended to replace applicable national laws,
regulations or other nationally or internationally recognized
instruments. More stringent applicable requirements have pri-
ority over the provisions of the code. In the absence of national
laws and regulations on a particular OSH issue, or where these
are not up to date, guidance should be drawn from this code, as
well as from relevant nationally and internationally recognized
instruments.
4. The code addresses most of the currently identified
hazards and risks associated with shipbuilding and ship repair.
However, changes in the industry or in specific operations
4
1. General provisions
may alter their risk profile and the code cannot therefore be
assumed to address every hazard or risk.
5. While the code contains detailed provisions, its use
should not inhibit the development of new technologies, better
practice or the adoption of alternative measures that provide
effective protection to all workers involved in shipbuilding and Contents
ship repair.
6. The code contains references to those institutions
responsible for the delivery and award of vocational qualifica-
tions. Such institutions are urged to review existing curricula
in the light of the code’s recommendations for training and the
allocation of worksite responsibilities.
7. Measures implemented to protect workers’ health and
safety in shipbuilding and ship repair facilities are intrinsi-
cally linked to measures to protect the environment. This rela-
tionship should be taken into account by both the competent
authorities and employers in designing and implementing their
respective environmental sustainability and safety and health
policies and programmes.
8. The provisions of this code should be read in the con-
text of national conditions and technical possibilities, and the
scale of operations involved.
1.3. Reference to ILO instruments
1. In the establishment, implementation and review of
policies and programmes on OSH in shipbuilding and ship
repair under this code, competent authorities, shipowners
and employers’ and workers’ organizations should take into
account ratified international labour standards and that
the fundamental principles and rights at work apply to all
workers and employers. They should also take account of the
5
provisions of relevant ILO instruments, including Conventions,

Recommendations, codes of practice and guidelines. A list of
these is contained in the bibliography at the end of this code.
Contents
6
2. General obligations, responsibilities,
duties and rights
2.1. Cooperation Contents
1. This code recognizes that effective OSH systems require

joint commitment and consultation between the competent
authority, shipowners, employers, workers and their representa-
tives. The parties should cooperate in a constructive manner to
ensure that the objectives of this code are achieved.
2. Measures for cooperation should be taken relating to
the identification of hazards and the elimination or control of
risks to safety and health from shipbuilding and ship repair
operations. These measures should include the following:
a) shipowners should include OSH criteria in procedures for
evaluating and selecting shipbuilding or ship repair facilities,
including past OSH performance, and clearly communicate
to the selected facility their expectation of the establishment
and implementation of an OSH management system;
b) employers, in discharging their responsibilities, should
cooperate and consult as closely as possible with all workers
and/or their representatives;
c) workers should cooperate as closely as possible with their
fellow workers and their employers in the discharge by the
employers of their responsibilities, and should comply with
all prescribed procedures and practices relating to safety and
health in shipbuilding and ship repair and receive the neces-
sary education and training to do so;
d) manufacturers and suppliers should on request provide
employers with all necessary information as is available and
7
required for the evaluation of any hazards or risks to safety

and health that might result from a particular hazardous
factor; and
e) the competent authority should endeavour to promote close
cooperation between shipowners, designers, manufacturers,
suppliers, employers, workers and their representatives on Contents
safety and health in shipbuilding and ship repair.

2.2. Competent authority
2.2.1. General provisions
1. The competent authority, in the light of national con-
ditions and practice and the provisions of this code, in consul-
tation with the most representative organizations of employers
and workers concerned, should:
a) develop, maintain and control the application of laws and
regulations on OSH in shipbuilding and ship repair facil-
ities and identify and incorporate nationally and interna-
tionally recognized instruments into these;
b) formulate, implement and periodically review a coherent
national policy on OSH, including the promotion of a sys-
tematic approach through OSH management systems in
accordance with national laws and regulations; and
c) consider making new, or updating existing, statutory provi-
sions for the identification of hazards and the elimination
or control of risks in shipbuilding and ship repair.
2. Statutory provisions should include national laws or
regulations, codes of practice, exposure limits, standards of
competency and training for all workers and establish a pro-
cess for consultation with, and dissemination of, information
to employers, workers and their representatives.
8
2. General obligations, responsibilities, duties and rights
3. The competent authority should establish, in accord-

ance with the provisions of relevant ILO Conventions and
taking into account the need to harmonize such systems
internationally:
a) systems, including criteria, for classifying substances that
may be hazardous to health; Contents
b) systems and criteria for assessing the relevance of the

information required to determine whether a substance is
hazardous;
c) requirements for marking and labelling substances.
Substances for use in shipbuilding and ship repair should be
marked and labelled according to these requirements;
d) criteria for the information contained in the substance
safety data sheets received by employers; and
e) systems and criteria for identifying safety hazards and
appropriate risk control measures relating to structures,
facilities, machinery, equipment, processes and operations
used in shipbuilding and ship repair.
4. The competent authority should set out the necessary
rules to determine these criteria and requirements, but is not
necessarily expected to undertake technical tasks or laboratory
tests itself.
5. If justified on safety and health grounds, the competent
authority should:
a) prohibit or restrict the use of certain hazardous practices,
processes or substances; or
b) require advance notification and authorization before any
such restricted practices, processes and substances are used; or
c) specify categories of workers who, for reasons of safety
and health, are not allowed to use specified processes or
9
substances, or are allowed to use them but only under con-

ditions prescribed in national laws or regulations.
6. The competent authority should ensure the enforce-
ment of national laws and regulations concerning the policy
mentioned above through an adequate and appropriate system
of inspection. The system of enforcement should be developed Contents
through a consultative process involving employer and worker

representatives. The system of enforcement should provide for
corrective measures and adequate penalties for violations of
national laws and regulations concerning the policy.
7. The measures to be taken to ensure that there is organ-
ized cooperation between employers and workers to promote
safety and health at shipbuilding and ship repair facilities
should be prescribed by national laws or regulations or by the
competent authority. Such measures should include:
a) the establishment of safety and health committees repre-
sentative of employers and workers with such powers and
duties as may be prescribed;
b) the election or appointment of worker safety and health
representatives with such powers and duties as may be
prescribed;
c) the appointment by the employer of suitably qualified and
experienced persons to promote safety and health; and
d) the training of safety and health representatives and safety
and health committee members.
8. The competent authority should ensure that guidance
is provided to employers, workers and their representatives
to help them comply with their legal obligations under the
policy. The competent authority should provide assistance to
employers, workers and their representatives with respect to
their OSH responsibilities, duties and rights.
10
9. The competent authority should establish, apply, and

periodically review a system for the sex-disaggregated recording
and notification by employers of occupational accidents, occu-
pational diseases and dangerous occurrences in shipbuilding
and ship repair.
2.2.2. Inspectorates Contents
1. Inspectorates designated by the competent authority

should, in a manner prescribed by national laws and regulations:
a) enforce all relevant laws and regulations in shipbuilding and
ship repair facilities;
b) periodically carry out inspections in the presence of the
employer and worker representatives, and monitor compli-
ance with all relevant laws and regulations;
c) assist employers, workers and their representatives with
respect to their OSH responsibilities, duties and rights;
d) monitor the OSH requirements and performance of compa-
rable national or international shipbuilding and ship repair
facilities to provide feedback for further development and
improvement of safety measures; and
e) participate, in cooperation with the recognized organiza-
tions of employers and workers, in formulating and updating
safety rules and measures to be adopted at the national and
enterprise levels.
2. Inspectors should, in a manner prescribed by national
laws and regulations:
a) be competent to deal with the OSH issues for all workers
associated with shipbuilding and ship repair and be able to
provide support and advice;
b) have the authority to investigate fatal and serious accidents,
dangerous occurrences and diseases;
11
c) notify the employer, the workers concerned and their rep-

resentatives, as well as safety and health committees, of the
findings of inspections and the required remedial action;
d) have the authority to remove workers from situations
involving an imminent and/or serious danger to life or
health; Contents
e) periodically determine whether an existing OSH manage-

ment system or OSH elements are in place, adequate and
effective;
f) have authority to suspend or restrict shipbuilding and ship
repair activities on safety and health grounds, until the con-
dition giving rise to the suspension or restriction has been
corrected; and
g) have access to all worker health and safety education and
training records.
3. The authority, rights, procedures and responsibilities of
inspectors should be communicated to all affected parties.
2.3. Employers
1. Employers have a duty to coordinate, protect and pro-
mote the safety and health of all workers on site. Employers
should comply with the measures to be taken regarding hazards
or risks to safety and health in shipbuilding and ship repair,
including appropriate nationally and internationally recognized
instruments, codes and guidelines as prescribed, approved or
recognized by the competent authority.
2. Employers should provide and maintain workplaces,
plant, equipment, tools and machinery, and should design
work so as to eliminate or, if this is not practicable, control haz-
ards and risks in shipbuilding and ship repair, and be consistent
with national laws and regulations.
12
3. Employers should set out in writing their respective

programmes and arrangements as part of their general policy
in the field of OSH, and the various responsibilities exercised
under these arrangements. This information should be clearly
communicated to their workers by oral, written or other suit-
able means, commensurate with the ability of the workers. Contents
4. Employers, in consultation with workers and their rep-

resentatives, should:
a) make an assessment of the hazards and risks to the safety
and health of workers arising from shipbuilding and ship
repair, requesting and making effective use of the informa-
tion provided by the supplier of equipment or materials and
from other reasonably available sources; and
b) take all reasonable, practicable and feasible measures to
eliminate or, if this is not possible, control risks to safety
and health identified in the above risk assessment, in order
to reduce exposure.
5. In taking preventive and protective measures, the
employer should address the hazardous factor or risk in accord-
ance with the hierarchy set out in section 3.4, paragraph 3. If
the employers, workers or their representatives cannot agree,
the issue should be referred to the competent authorities in
accordance with subsection 2.2.1, paragraph 8.
6. Employers should make the necessary arrangements to
provide and integrate prevention activities as follows:
a) regular surveillance of the working environment and appro-
priate health surveillance;
b) adequate and competent supervision of work and work
practices;
c) the application and use of appropriate control measures and
the periodic review of their effectiveness;
13
d) education and training to managers, supervisors and

workers, and to worker safety and health representatives,
on issues relating to hazards in shipbuilding and ship
repair;
e) where necessary, measures to deal with emergencies and
accidents, including first-aid arrangements; and Contents
f) investigate accidents, illnesses and incidents, in cooperation

with health and safety committees and/or workers’ rep-
resentatives, to identify all causes, and measures necessary
to prevent recurrences of similar accidents, illnesses and
incidents.
7. Employers should be required to provide, where nec-
essary, adequate protective clothing and protective equipment
to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, risks of accidents
or adverse effects on health. OSH measures should not involve
any expenditure for the workers.
8. Employers should have in place arrangements to:
a) deal with accidents and dangerous occurrences that may
involve hazards or risks to safety and health in shipbuilding
and ship repair; and
b) eliminate or control any risk to the safety and health of
workers, and thereby to the public and the environment.
9. When an employer has more than one establishment,
the employer should provide safety and health measures relating
to the prevention and control of, and protection against, inju-
ries and risks to safety and health in shipbuilding and ship
repair to all workers without discrimination.
10. Shipbuilding or ship repair enterprises should maintain
the highest standards of safety and health, in conformity with
national requirements, bearing in mind their relevant experi-
ence within the enterprise as a whole, including any knowledge
14
of special hazards. They should also make available to the rep-

resentatives of the workers, and upon request, to the competent
authorities and the workers’ and employers’ organizations in
all countries in which they operate, information on the OSH
standards relevant to their local operations, which they observe
in other countries. In particular, they should make known Contents
to those concerned any special hazards and related protective

measures associated with new products and processes. They,
like comparable domestic enterprises, should be expected to
play a leading role in the examination of causes of industrial
safety and health hazards and in the application of resulting
improvements within the enterprise as a whole.
11. Employers should initiate and maintain a process of
consultation and cooperation with workers and their represent-
atives concerning all aspects of safety in shipbuilding and ship
repair specified in this code, in particular as regards the meas-
ures of prevention and protection listed in paragraphs 1–10
above. This process should be carried out within the frame-
work of safety and health committees, as recommended by the
Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155),
or through another mechanism determined by the competent
authority or by voluntary agreements.
12. Employers should verify:
a) compliance with safety regulations;
b) maintenance of safe working techniques;
c) the care taken of machines and equipment, particularly any
devices provided in the interest of safety;
d) training in the use of, and the care taken of, personal pro-
tective equipment (PPE); and
e) the competence of managers, supervisors and workers for
their tasks.
15
13. Whenever two or more employers undertake activities

simultaneously at one workplace, they should collaborate in
order to comply with the prescribed OSH measures, without
prejudice to the responsibility of each employer for the safety
and health of all workers. In appropriate circumstances, the
competent authority should prescribe general procedures for Contents
this collaboration.
14. Managers and supervisors should implement the enter-
prise’s OSH policy, including through the selection of safe
equipment, work methods and work organization, and the
maintenance of high levels of skill. They should endeavour to
reduce risks and hazards to safety and health in the activities
for which they are responsible to as low a level as reasonably
practicable.
15. Managers and supervisors should ensure that workers
receive adequate information and training on safety and health
regulations, policies, procedures and requirements, and satisfy
themselves that this information is understood.
16. Managers and supervisors should assign tasks to their
subordinates in a clear and precise way. They should satisfy
themselves that workers understand and implement the OSH
requirements.
17. Managers and supervisors should ensure that work is
planned, organized and carried out in such a way as to elimi-
nate or, if this is not possible, reduce the risk of accidents and
the exposure of workers to conditions that may lead to injury
or damage their health.
18. In consultation with workers and/or their represent-
atives, managers and supervisors should assess the need for
additional instruction, training and education of workers by
monitoring compliance with safety requirements.
16
19. When managers or supervisors observe non-compli-

ance with safety and health regulations or codes of practice by
any person, they should take corrective action immediately. If
such action is unsuccessful, the problem should be referred to a
higher level of management immediately.
20. Employers should establish effective ongoing commu- Contents
nication and coordination between appropriate levels of the

shipbuilding and ship repair facility with contractors and sub-
contractors prior to the commencement of work.
2.4. Workers
1. Workers have the duty to cooperate with the employer
to achieve compliance with the OSH duties and responsibilities
of the employer.
2. When workers or their representatives observe non-
compliance with safety and health regulations or codes of prac-
tice, they should take appropriate action immediately. If such
action is unsuccessful, the problem should be referred to a
higher level of management immediately.
3. Workers have the responsibility, in accordance with
their training, and the instructions and means given by their
employers, to:
a) comply with prescribed OSH measures;
b) take all steps to eliminate or control hazards or risks to
themselves and to others arising during the construction or
repair of ships, including the proper care and use of protec-
tive clothing, facilities and equipment placed at their dis-
posal for this purpose;
c) report forthwith to their immediate supervisor or safety and
health representative any unusual conditions at the facility
or affecting installations and equipment which they believe
17
could present a hazard or risk to their safety or health or

that of other people arising from the shipbuilding or ship
repair operation, and which they cannot deal with effec-
tively themselves; and
d) cooperate with the employer and other workers to permit
compliance with the duties and responsibilities placed on Contents
the employer and workers, and to participate with the safety

and health committee in the development and implemen-
tation of the OSH management system of the shipbuilding
and ship repair facility.
4. Workers should participate in instruction and training
programmes provided by the employer or required by the compe-
tent authority, and should demonstrate such acquired knowledge
and understanding of safety and health measures on the job.
Workers and their representatives should review the instruction
and training programmes for effectiveness. Where they deter-
mine that these programmes are ineffective, they should make
recommendations to the employer to improve their effectiveness.
5. Workers should participate and cooperate in exposure
monitoring and health surveillance programmes required by
the competent authority and/or provided by the employer for
the protection of their health.
6. Workers and their representatives should participate
in the process of consultation and cooperate with employers
concerning all aspects of safety of shipbuilding and ship repair
operations specified in this code, and in particular as regards
measures of protection and prevention listed in section 2.3,
paragraphs 1–10.
7. Workers and their representatives have the right to:
a) be consulted regarding any hazards or risks to safety and
health in shipbuilding and ship repair;
18
b) inquire into and receive information from the employer

regarding any hazards or risks to safety and health arising
from shipbuilding and ship repair operations, including
information from suppliers. This information should be
provided in forms and languages easily understood by the
workers; Contents
c) take adequate precautions, in cooperation with their

employer, to protect themselves and other workers against
hazards or risks to safety and health from shipbuilding and
ship repair operations; and
d) be consulted and be involved in the assessment of hazards
and risks to safety and health from hazardous factors to
be conducted by the employer and/or by the competent
authority. They should also have the right to be involved in
relevant control measures and investigations.
8. Workers and their representatives should be involved
in the introduction and development of workers’ health sur-
veillance, and should participate and cooperate with their
employers and with occupational health professionals in its
implementation.
9. Workers should be informed in a timely, objective and
comprehensible manner:
a) of the reasons for the examinations and investigations
relating to the safety and health hazards involved in their
work; and
b) individually of the results of medical examinations,
including pre-assignment medical examinations, and of the
respective health assessments. The results of medical exam-
inations should be kept confidential in accordance with
national laws and regulations and should not be used to dis-
criminate against workers.
19
10. Workers have the right:

a) to bring to the attention of their representatives, the employer
or the competent authority hazards or risks to safety and
health arising from shipbuilding and ship repair operations;
b) to appeal to the competent authority if they consider that
the measures taken and the means used by the employer are Contents
inadequate for the purpose of ensuring OSH at work;

c) to remove themselves and their co-workers in the vicinity
from danger resulting from shipbuilding and ship repair
operations when they have reasonable justification to believe
that there is an imminent and/or serious risk to their safety
and health. Such workers should inform their supervisor
and/or safety and health representative immediately;
d) in the case of a safety or health condition that places them
at increased risk of harm, to be transferred to alternative
work not exposing them to that increased risk, if such work
is available and if the workers concerned have the qualifica-
tions or can reasonably be trained for such alternative work;
e) to receive adequate compensation if the case referred to in
(d) above results in loss of employment;
f) to be provided with adequate medical treatment and com-
pensation for occupational injuries and diseases resulting
from shipbuilding and ship repair; and
g) to refrain from using or to shut down equipment or a process,
or to refrain from using a substance which can reasonably be
expected to be hazardous, if the relevant information is not
available to assess the hazards or risks to safety and health.
11. Workers who remove themselves from danger in
accordance with the provisions of paragraph 10(c) above should
be protected against undue consequences in accordance with
national laws and regulations.
20
12. Workers who justifiably take those actions specified in

paragraph 10(a), (b) and (g) should be protected from unwar-
ranted discrimination, for which there should be recourse in
national laws and regulations.
13. Workers and their elected safety and health represent-
atives should receive appropriate education and training and, Contents
where necessary, retraining in the most effective methods avail-

able for minimizing risks to safety and health from the ship-
building and ship repair operations, in particular in those areas
referred to in Chapters 9–14 of this code.
14. Women workers have the right, in the case of pregnancy
or when breastfeeding, to alternative work not hazardous to
the health of the unborn or nursing child, where such work
is available, in order to prevent exposure to hazards in ship-
building and ship repair, and to return to their previous jobs at
the appropriate time.
15. The supply of labour by private employment agen-
cies is the subject of the ILO Private Employment Agencies
Convention, 1997 (No. 181), and its accompanying Private
Employment Agencies Recommendation, 1997 (No. 188).
2.5. Suppliers, manufacturers and designers
1. In accordance with the guidance contained in the ILO
code of practice on safety and health in the use of machinery
(2013), national laws, regulations and other measures should be
taken to ensure that those who design, manufacture, import,
provide or transfer machinery, equipment or substances for use
in shipbuilding and ship repair:
a) ensure that the machinery, equipment or substances do not
entail dangers for the safety and health of those using them
correctly and are in compliance with national safety laws
21
and regulations or internationally recognized instruments

applicable to their design and construction;
b) make available:
i) information concerning their requirements for the
correct set up, use and maintenance of machinery and
equipment and the correct use of substances; Contents
ii) information concerning the hazards of machinery and

equipment, including the dangerous part of machinery
and hazardous components of equipment, and the dan-
gerous properties of hazardous substances and physical
agents or products; and
iii) information on how to eliminate or control risks
arising from the identified hazards associated with the
products; and
c) submit to the shipbuilding or ship repair facility a list of
vehicles and workers delivering standard products (that is
bolts, nuts and gaskets) and refilling stocks with products or
chemicals on a regular basis.
2. In accordance with the ILO Chemicals Convention,
1990 (No. 170), suppliers of chemicals, whether manufacturers,
importers or distributors should provide users with the rele-
vant safety data sheets and with instructions for the safe use of
chemicals.
2.6. Contractors and subcontractors
1. Contractors and subcontractors should ensure that any
person under their control performing tasks that may affect
OSH is competent in terms of education, training and experi-
ence, and should keep the associated records.
2. Contractors and subcontractors should comply with
the arrangements established by the employer in charge of the
shipbuilding or ship repair facility, which should:
22
a) include the contractor and subcontractor performing a risk

assessment, establishing risk controls for their work and
submitting a workplan to the employer. The contractor and
subcontractor should comply with the workplan and risk
controls and inform the employer of any changes;
b) include OSH criteria in procedures for evaluating and Contents
selecting contractors and subcontractors;

c) establish effective ongoing communication and coordina-
tion between appropriate levels of the shipbuilding and ship
repair facility and the contractor and subcontractor prior
to commencing work, which should include provisions for
identifying hazards and the measures to eliminate and con-
trol risks;
d) include arrangements for reporting work-related injuries and
diseases, ill health and dangerous occurrences among the
contractor’s and subcontractor’s workers while performing
work for the shipbuilding and ship repair facility;
e) provide relevant workplace safety and health hazard aware-
ness, information and training to contractors and subcon-
tractors or their workers prior to commencing work and as
work progresses, as necessary;
f) include regular monitoring of their OSH performance;
g) include periodic joint safety and health inspections by
employers, contractors and subcontractors involved in the
work at the site to identify and control harm and hazards at
work; and
h) ensure that on-site OSH procedures and arrangements are
followed by the contractor(s) and subcontractor(s).
3. When using contractors and subcontractors, the ship-
building and ship repair facility should ensure that:
23
a) contractors and subcontractors develop a safety and health

plan in accordance with the shipbuilding and ship repair
facility OSH management system that is approved by the
employer in charge of the shipbuilding and ship repair
facility prior to commencing work;
b) the same safety and health rights outlined in subsection Contents
2.2.1, paragraph 7, apply to contractors and subcontractors

and their workers as to the workers in the establishment,
including education and training requirements and proce-
dures to investigate accidents, occupational illnesses and
dangerous occurrences;
c) where required, only such contractors and subcontractors
are used that have been duly registered or hold licences; and
d) contracts specify safety and health requirements as well
as sanctions and penalties in case of non-compliance.
Contracts should include the right for supervisors man-
dated by the employer in charge of the shipbuilding and
ship repair facility to inspect work and to stop work when-
ever a risk of serious injury is apparent and to suspend oper-
ations until the necessary remedies have been put in place.
24
3. Occupational safety and health
management systems
3.1. Introduction Contents
1. The process of improving working conditions at a

shipbuilding or ship repair facility should be approached in
an inclusive and systematic way in order to bring them up to
reasonable standards. With a view to achieving acceptable
and environmentally sound OSH conditions, it is necessary
to invest in permanent structures for their continuous review,
planning, implementation, evaluation and action. This should
be done through the implementation of OSH management
systems. The systems should be specific to the facilities and
appropriate to their size and the nature of their activities. Their
design and application should be guided by the ILO Guidelines
on occupational safety and health management systems (2001)
and also by the ILO 10 Keys for Gender Sensitive OSH Practice
– Guidelines for Gender Mainstreaming in Occupational Safety
and Health (2013).
2. The OSH management system should contain the main
elements of policy, organizing, planning and implementation,
evaluation and action for improvement as shown in the figure
below:
3. OSH measures and measures to protect the environ-
ment are intrinsically linked. It is strongly recommended that
shipbuilding and ship repair facilities, in conjunction with an
OSH management system, have an environmental management
system in place which identifies the environmental impact and
facilitates the setting of environmental performance targets
and measurement of progress.
25
Figure 1. Main elements of the OSH management system
Contents
3.2. Occupational safety and health policy

1. The employer, in consultation with workers and their
representatives, should set out in writing an OSH policy, which
should be:
a) specific to the shipbuilding and ship repair facility and
appropriate to its size and the nature of its activities;
b) concise, clearly written, dated and made effective by the sig-
nature or endorsement of the employer or the most senior
accountable person in the shipbuilding and ship repair
facility;
26
3. Occupational safety and health management systems
c) communicated and readily accessible to all persons at their

place of work;
d) reviewed for continuing suitability; and
e) made available to relevant external interested parties, as
appropriate.
Contents
2. The OSH policy should include, as a minimum, the fol-
lowing key principles and objectives to which the shipbuilding
and ship repair facility is committed:
a) protecting the safety and health of all workers of the ship-
building and ship repair facility by preventing work-related
injuries, ill health, diseases and incidents;
b) complying with relevant OSH national laws and regula-
tions, voluntary programmes, collective agreements on
OSH and other requirements to which the shipbuilding
and ship repair facility subscribes;
c) ensuring that workers and their representatives are con-
sulted and encouraged to participate actively in all elements
of the OSH management system; and
d) continually improving the performance of the OSH man-
agement system.
3. The OSH management system should be compatible
with or integrated in other management systems in the ship-
building and ship repair facility.
3.2.1. Worker participation
1. Worker participation is an essential element of the
OSH management system in the shipbuilding and ship repair
facility.
2. The employer should ensure that workers and their
safety and health representatives are consulted, informed and
27
trained on all aspects of OSH, including emergency arrange-

ments, associated with their work.
3. The employer should make arrangements for workers
and their safety and health representatives to have the time
and resources to participate actively in the processes of organ-
izing, planning and implementation, evaluation and action for Contents
improvement of the OSH management system.

3.3. Initial review
1. Before works begin the employer should guarantee that
an initial review is carried out by competent persons, in consul-
tation with workers and their representatives, as appropriate. It
should:
a) identify the necessary work procedures and the associated
hazards;
b) assess the risks to safety and health arising from the existing
or proposed work environment or work organization;
c) identify the current applicable national laws and regula-
tions, national guidelines, specific guidelines, voluntary pro-
grammes and other relevant requirements for the activities
to be carried out;
d) determine whether planned or existing controls are ade-
quate to eliminate hazards or control risks; and
e) analyse other available data, in particular data provided
from workers’ health surveillance (see Appendix I), the sur-
veillance of the working environment (see Appendix II) and
active and reactive monitoring, if available.
2. The initial review should be used in the systematic
development of safety arrangements in shipbuilding and ship
repair and as the basis for the planning and practical imple-
mentation of the OSH policy.
28
3.4. Hazard identification, risk assessment

and preventive and protective measures
1. For work which by its very nature exposes workers to
hazardous chemical, physical or biological factors, psycho-
social factors and climatic conditions, arrangements should
be made for the identification and periodic assessment of Contents
these hazards and risks to safety and health at each perma-

nent or temporary workplace in both the facility and every
new ship, generated by the use of different operations, tools,
machines, equipment and substances. This review, together
with other available data disaggregated by sex, should be
used for the development of safe workplans, as described in
section 8.2.
2. Employers should plan and implement appropriate pre-
ventive and protective measures required to prevent the iden-
tified hazards and assessed risks, or reduce them to the lowest
reasonable and practicable level, in conformity with national
laws and regulations.
3. Employers should have a system in place, in consul-
tation with all workers and their representatives, to identify
hazards, assess risks to safety and health and apply control
measures in the following order of priority:
a) eliminate the hazard;
b) control the risk at source, through measures such as sub-
stitution (for example, replacing hazardous equipment or
substances with less hazardous equipment or substances) or
engineering controls;
c) minimize the risk through the design of safe work systems;
and
d) in so far as the risk remains, provide for the use of PPE,
including protective clothing, in various sizes, adaptable to
29
both women and men and at no cost to workers, and imple-

ment measures to ensure its use and maintenance.
4. In giving effect to the above, the employer should
establish, implement and maintain documented procedures to
ensure that the following activities take place:
a) hazard identification; Contents
b) risk assessment;
c) control of risks; and
d) a process to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of these
activities.
3.4.1. Hazard identification
1. The identification of hazards in the workplace should
take into account:
a) the situation or events or combination of circumstances that
have the potential to give rise to injury or illness;
b) the nature of potential injury or illness relevant to the
activity, product or service;
c) past injuries, dangerous occurrences and illness;
d) the way work is organized, managed, carried out and any
related changes;
e) the design of workplaces, work processes, materials, plant
and equipment;
f) the fabrication, installation, commissioning, handling and
disposal of materials, workplaces, plant and equipment;
g) the purchasing of goods and services;
h) the contracting of plant, equipment, services and labour,
including contract specification and responsibilities in rela-
tion to and of contractors and their subcontractors; and
30
i) the inspection, maintenance, testing, repair and replace-

ment of plant and equipment.
3.4.2. Risk assessment
1. Risk assessment is a process used to determine the
level of risk of injury or illness associated with each identified Contents
hazard, for the purpose of control. All risks should be assessed
in consultation with workers and their representatives, and
have control priorities assigned, based on the assessed level of
risk. The priority for control increases as the assessed level of
risk rises.
2. The risk assessment process should take account of the
likelihood and severity of injury or illness from the identified
hazard. There are many established and recognized methods
and techniques that can be implemented for the purpose of risk
assessment.
3.4.3. Risk control
1. Unless a particular hazard or exposure to the hazard is
removed, the risk associated with such a hazard can never be
completely eliminated. In such cases such a risk should be con-
trolled following the order of priority described in section 3.4,
paragraphs 3 and 4.
2. The employer should plan the management and control
of those activities, products and services that can or may pose a
significant risk to safety and health.
3. Control measures should be monitored and reviewed
at regular intervals and, if necessary, revised, especially when
circumstances change or if new information becomes available
about the risks identified or the suitability of existing control
measures. Control measures should also be reviewed and, if
necessary, revised following an accident.
31
3.4.4. Evaluation
1. The processes of hazard identification, risk assessment
and control should be subject to a documented evaluation of
effectiveness and modified as necessary, to establish an ongoing
process for continual improvement.
2. Evaluations should take into consideration advances Contents
in technology, knowledge and experiences nationally and

internationally.
3. Practical examples and guidance can be found in A 5
step guide for employers, workers and their representatives on con-
ducting workplace risk assessments (ILO, 2014) and the Training
Package on Workplace Risk Assessment and Management for
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (ILO, 2013).
3.5. Contingency and emergency preparedness
3.5.1. Emergency preparedness
1. Emergency planning, prevention, preparedness and
response arrangements should be established and maintained.
These arrangements should identify the potential for accidents
and emergency situations, and address the prevention of OSH
risks associated with them. Arrangements should be made
according to the location and environment of the shipbuilding
and ship repair facility and also take into account the size and
nature of the activities associated with each shipbuilding and
ship repair operation.
2. The emergency plans should be made and updated for
every ship under construction and for each major repair or con-
version in accordance with relevant internationally recognized
instruments and national laws and regulations, taking into
account the size and nature of the activities at the shipbuilding
and ship repair facility. They should:
32
a) ensure that the necessary information, internal communica-

tion and coordination are provided to protect all people in
the event of an emergency at the facility;
b) provide information to, and communication with, the rel-
evant competent authorities, and the neighbourhood and
emergency response services; Contents
c) address first aid and medical assistance, firefighting and

evacuation of all people at the facility; and
d) provide relevant information and training to all workers at
a shipbuilding and ship repair facility and any person who
may be involved in an emergency, at all levels and according
to their competence, including regular exercises in emer-
gency prevention, preparedness and response procedures.
3. Emergency prevention, preparedness and response
arrangements should be established by the employer in charge
of the shipbuilding and ship repair facility in cooperation with
workers, external emergency services and other bodies where
applicable.
4. The emergency response plan should be developed
locally for each shipbuilding and ship repair facility and should
be sufficiently comprehensive to deal with all types of emergen-
cies. The plan should include, for each foreseeable scenario, as a
minimum:
a) emergency escape routes and procedures, including signings
and markings indicating escape routes to be used;
b) procedures to be followed by workers who remain to per-
form critical operations before evacuation;
c) the evacuation of the worksite, especially from inside the
hull of the ship and the surrounding area, premises or
establishment;
33
d) procedures to account for all workers after the emergency

evacuation is complete;
e) rescue and medical duties for workers who are assigned to
perform them;
f) the means for reporting fire and other emergencies; and
g) the provision of relevant information and training to all per- Contents
sons engaged in work in the facility, at all levels, including

regular exercises, at least annually, in emergency prevention,
preparedness and response procedures.
5. The emergency response plan should be evaluated
periodically with the necessary improvements recorded and
implemented.
6. A chain of command should be established to minimize
confusion and ensure that workers have no doubt about who has
the authority to make decisions. Responsible individuals should
be selected to coordinate the work of the emergency response
teams. The responsibilities of the coordinator(s) should include:
a) assessing the situation and determining whether an emergency
exists that requires activation of the emergency procedures;
b) acting to minimize the event, for example controlling the
fire, controlling leaks and spills, emergency shutdown, and
action specifically prohibited if persons are at risk;
c) directing all efforts in the area, including evacuating per-
sonnel and minimizing the loss of property;
d) ensuring that emergency response services, such as medical
aid and fire response are summoned when necessary;
e) providing information to, and communication with, the
relevant competent authorities and the neighbourhood and
emergency response services; and
f) directing the shutdown of operations when necessary.
34
7. The necessary and most recent information, as well

as internal communication and coordination, should be pro-
vided to protect all persons in the event of an emergency at the
worksite. Alarms should be capable of being seen and heard by
everyone.
8. Emergency response teams should be established and Contents
capable, among others, of:

a) firefighting;
b) first aid;
c) resuscitation;
d) shutdown procedures;
e) evacuation procedures;
f) chemical spill procedures;
g) use of self-contained breathing apparatus and other PPE; and
h) search and rescue.
9. In the absence of formal medical facilities at the
shipbuilding or ship repair facility, the following should be
provided:
a) eye washes, showers or suitable equipment for quick
drenching or flushing in the area for immediate use where
the eyes or body of any worker may be exposed to injurious
corrosive materials; and
b) emergency telephone numbers, or other contact informa-
tion posted in conspicuous places.
10. Notwithstanding paragraphs 3–7 above, emergency
procedures, first aid and firefighting for the handling, storage
and transport of chemicals, disposal and treatment of waste
chemicals, the release of chemicals resulting from work activi-
ties, and containers for chemicals at shipbuilding or ship repair
35
facilities should be established and based on the provisions of

Chapter 14 of the ILO code of practice on safety in the use
of chemicals at work (1993). Where in a shipbuilding or ship
repair facility hazardous chemicals are stored or processed in
such a form and such a quantity that they possess the potential
to cause a major accident, the provisions on emergency plan- Contents
ning in Chapters 8 and 9 of the ILO code of practice on pre-

vention of major industrial accidents (1991) should apply.
3.5.2. First aid
1. The employer should be responsible for ensuring that
first aid, including the provision of trained personnel, is avail-
able. The manner in which first-aid facilities and personnel
are to be provided should be prescribed by national laws or
regulations, and drawn up after consulting the competent
health authority and the most representative organizations of
employers and workers concerned.
2. A sufficient number of workers for every shift should
be trained in basic first aid and their contact details should
be easily available. This training should include the treatment
of open wounds and resuscitation. In areas where the work
involves the risk of intoxication by chemicals, fumes or smoke,
insect bites or other specific hazards, first-aid training should
be extended accordingly in consultation with an appropriately
qualified person or organization.
3. First-aid training should be repeated at regular intervals
to ensure that knowledge and skills do not become outdated or
forgotten.
4. Where the work involves a risk of drowning, asphyxia-
tion or electric shock, first-aid personnel should be proficient in
the use of resuscitation and other life-saving techniques and in
rescue procedures.
36
5. Suitable rescue and resuscitation equipment, as

required, including stretchers, should be kept readily available
at the shipbuilding and ship repair facility or ship, as appro-
priate. All workers should be informed of the location of this
equipment and the procedure for obtaining stocks.
6. First-aid kits or boxes, as appropriate, containing pre- Contents
scribed items, should be provided and be readily accessible at

all workplaces, including isolated locations, lifting appliances,
boats, transport and floating equipment, and for maintenance
teams, and should be protected against contamination by dust,
moisture, etc. These containers should be clearly marked and
contain nothing other than first-aid equipment.
7. First-aid kits and boxes should contain simple and clear
instructions, be kept under the charge of a responsible person
qualified to give first aid and be regularly inspected and kept
properly stocked.
8. If a minimum number of workers as prescribed is
employed in any shift, at least one suitably equipped first-aid
room or station under the charge of qualified first-aid personnel
or a nurse should be provided at a readily accessible place for
the treatment of minor injuries and as a rest place for seriously
sick or injured workers.
9. Unless there is a hospital or other suitable medical
facility nearby and conveniently accessible to the shipbuilding
and ship repair facility and a suitable ambulance properly
maintained and available at all times during working hours, a
convenient location should be provided, furnished with a suffi-
cient number of beds, together with the necessary equipment
and supplies, for the preliminary treatment of injuries or illness
and suitable for the temporary use of persons injured at the
shipbuilding and ship repair facility.
37
10. A first-aid register should be kept at the shipbuilding

and ship repair facility for recording the names and sex of per-
sons to whom first aid has been rendered and particulars of
injuries and treatment. The register should only be accessible
to authorized persons. The register may be made available,
excluding confidential information, to a competent authority Contents
and the safety and health committee for the purposes of inci-
dent and injury analysis.
11. Persons in supervisory positions should hold a recog-
nized first-aid certificate. First-aid training should be made
available to all workers.
3.5.3. Rescue
1. Provision should be made for rapid evacuation in the
event of injury or illness which requires medical assistance.
2. Transport or a means of communication should be
available at the worksite to contact rescue services in case of
an emergency. The functioning of the communication arrange-
ments should be checked periodically.
3. All workers should be informed of the procedures to
be followed in case of emergency. Information should also be
provided on the worksite and on the location of meeting points
for evacuation.
4. A place should be provided at worksites where an ill or
injured person can rest in comfort until evacuated.
5. Vehicles should always be available for transportation
to a point where an ambulance can be met.
6. Where professional help is not available within a rea-
sonable distance, particularly in remote areas, consideration
should be given to the creation of the necessary dispensing and
health-care facilities.
38
4. Management of change
1. The impact on OSH of internal changes (for example

in staffing or due to new processes, working procedures, organ-
izational structures or acquisitions) and external changes (for Contents
example as a result of amendments of national laws and reg-

ulations, organizational mergers and developments in OSH
knowledge and technology) should be evaluated and appropriate
preventive steps taken prior to the introduction of changes.
2. A workplace hazard identification and risk assessment
should be carried out before any modification of the project
schedule or introduction of new work methods, materials, pro-
cesses or machinery.
3. While much of what happens in shipbuilding or ship
repair should be covered by established controls developed
through the risk management process, there will always be sit-
uations that may not be adequately covered by those arrange-
ments. This gives rise to a need to develop and implement
processes to identify such “non-routine” work, or instances
where established procedures are seen as inadequate.
4. Such non-routine work might include:
a) a type of work that has never been performed before by the
team or at the site;
b) work that is only performed infrequently;
c) work that is outside normal duties;
d) work that does not have a documented procedure or safe
workplan;
e) work that must be performed in a different way to a doc-
umented procedure (including due to an approaching
39
deadline or instances where a procedure is identified as

inadequate); and
f) “routine” tasks that carry a particular risk and warrant over-
sight before proceeding.
5. The key to managing the risks of such work is to halt
the ongoing operation to allow for an established degree of Contents
assessment before proceeding. This provides an opportunity for

situational awareness to be improved before proceeding.
6. Responses to the identification of non-routine work
might include:
a) discussion with a supervisor;
b) performance of an “on-the-job” assessment to an established
standard before proceeding;
c) performance of a more formal job safety analysis to an
established standard prior to the work proceeding;
d) development or revision of a documented procedure or safe
workplan to cover the work;
e) conduct of a formal risk assessment and development of
appropriate controls; or
f) implementation of an established permit to work system
(this is commonly the case for work such as work at heights,
or work in a confined space).
7. Whenever new ships or equipment are introduced and
new working methods are needed, special attention should be
paid to informing and training workers with respect to the
implications for safety and health.
8. Arrangements to support this approach should be in place
very early on in the development and operation of a shipbuilding
and ship repair facility. It should be made clear, and accepted, that
an unacceptable response to non-routine work is to “do nothing”.
40
of work-related injuries and diseases,
ill health and dangerous occurrences
Contents
5.1. General provisions

1. In the establishment, review and application of
systems for the reporting, recording and notification of
work-related injuries and diseases, ill health and dangerous
occurrences, the competent authority should take account of
the Employment Injury Benefits Convention, 1964 [Schedule
I amended in 1980] (No. 121), the ILO Protocol of 2002 to
the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981, the
List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002 (No.
194), the ILO List of Occupational Diseases (revised 2010),
and the ILO code of practice on recording and notification
of occupational accidents and diseases (1996). The competent
authority should establish a nationally consistent approach to
collecting and reporting statistics on occupational accidents,
injuries and diseases.
2. Reporting, recording, notification and investigation
of work-related injuries and diseases, ill health and dangerous
occurrences are essential for preventive as well as reactive mon-
itoring and should be undertaken to:
a) provide reliable sex-disaggregated information about occu-
pational accidents, dangerous occurrences and occupational
diseases at the facility and national level;
b) identify major safety and health problems for both women
and men arising from shipbuilding and ship repair activities;
c) define priorities of action;
41
d) evolve effective and inclusive methods for dealing with

occupational accidents and diseases;
e) monitor the effectiveness of measures taken to secure satis-
factory levels of safety and health; and
f) monitor improvements over time and reveal new develop-
ments and issues. Contents
3. By national laws or regulations or any other method

consistent with national conditions and practice, the compe-
tent authority, in consultation with the most representative
organizations of employers and workers, should:
a) specify which categories or types of work-related injuries
and diseases, ill health and dangerous occurrences are sub-
ject to requirements for reporting, recording and notifica-
tion; these should comprise, as a minimum:
i) all fatal accidents;
ii) occupational accidents causing loss of working time,
other than insignificant loss; and
iii) all occupational diseases;
b) establish and apply uniform requirements and procedures
for facility-level reporting and recording of work-related
injuries and diseases, ill health, dangerous occurrences and
suspected cases of diseases by employers and workers, physi-
cians, health services and other bodies, as appropriate;
c) establish and apply uniform requirements and procedures
for the notification of prescribed sex-disaggregated data,
and specify, in particular:
i) the respective information to be notified to the com-
petent authority, insurance institutions, labour inspec-
torates, health services and other authorities and bodies
directly concerned, as appropriate;
42
ii) the timing of the notification; and

iii) the prescribed standardized form of notification to be
used;
d) make appropriate arrangements for the necessary coordina-
tion and cooperation between the various national authori-
ties and bodies and when two or more enterprises engage in Contents
activities simultaneously at one workplace;

e) make appropriate arrangements for guidance to be provided
to employers and workers to help them comply with the
legal obligations; and
f) apply these requirements and procedures to all women and
men in all shipbuilding and ship repair activities, regardless
of their employment status or type of work performed.
4. For the purpose of prevention, recording, notification
and, if applicable, compensation, a national list of occupational
diseases should be established by the competent authority, in
consultation with the most representative organizations of
employers and workers, by methods appropriate to national
conditions and practice, and by stages, as necessary. This pre-
scribed list of occupational diseases should:
a) take account of the diseases enumerated in Schedule I to the
Employment Injury Benefits Convention, 1964 (No. 121),
as amended in 1980; and
b) comprise, to the extent possible, other diseases contained
in the List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation,
2002 (No. 194), and the ILO List of Occupational Diseases
(revised 2010).
5. In accordance with national laws or regulations, the
employer should ensure that arrangements are made within
the facility which are capable of satisfying the requirements to
record and notify information in connection with:
43
a) the system for benefits in case of occupational injury and

occupational disease; and
b) the system for the recording and notification of work-related
injuries and diseases, ill health and dangerous occurrences.
6. Workers and their representatives in the facility should
be given appropriate information by the employer about the Contents
arrangements for:
a) the recording and notification of information required for
benefits in the case of occupational injury and occupational
disease; and
b) the reporting, recording and notification of work-related
5.2. Reporting at the level of the facility
1. The employer, after consultation with workers and their
representatives in the enterprise, should set up arrangements,
in accordance with national laws or regulations, to enable all
workers at the site to comply with the requirements to report:
a) forthwith to their immediate supervisor, without detriment
to themselves, any situation which they believe presents a
danger to life or health; and
b) any occupational injury, suspected case of work-related inju-
ries and diseases, ill health and dangerous occurrences, as
appropriate.
5.3. Recording at the level of the facility
1. The employer should ensure that records of work-related
injuries and diseases, ill health and dangerous occurrences are
available and readily retrievable at all reasonable times. Such
records should be maintained in accordance with national laws
and regulations, where these exist, and should include contractor
44
and subcontractor workers at the site. In the absence of national

laws and regulations on recording at the level of the facility,
guidance should be drawn from this code, as well as from other
relevant nationally and internationally recognized instruments.
2. In cases in which more than one worker is injured in a
single occupational accident, a record should be made for each Contents
of the injured workers.

3. Workers’ compensation insurance reports and accident
reports to be submitted for notification should be considered
acceptable as records if they contain all the facts required for
recording or are supplemented in an appropriate manner.
4. For inspection purposes and as information for worker
representatives and health services, employers should prepare
records disaggregated by sex within a period of time to be
determined by the competent authority.
5. Workers in the course of performing their work should
cooperate with the employer in carrying out the arrangements
within the facility for recording and notification of work-related
6. The employer should give appropriate information to
workers and their representatives concerning:
a) the arrangements for recording; and
b) the competent person(s) identified by the employer to
receive and record information on work-related injuries and
diseases, ill health and dangerous occurrences.
7. The employer should provide appropriate information
to workers and their representatives on all work-related inju-
ries and diseases, ill health and dangerous occurrences in the
facility, as well as commuting accidents, to help workers and
employers reduce the risk of exposure to similar events.
45
5.4. Notification of work-related injuries

1. All fatalities and serious occupational accidents should
be notified to the direct family of the accident victim, which
should be informed as soon as possible and, as required by
national laws or regulations, to the competent authority, the
labour inspectorate, the appropriate insurance institution or Contents
any other body:

a) immediately after the reporting of an occupational accident
causing loss of life; and
b) within a prescribed time for other occupational accidents.
2. Notification should be made within such time as may
be specified, and in prescribed specific standardized forms or
formats, such as:
a) an accident report for the labour inspectorate;
b) a compensation report for the insurance institution;
c) a report for the statistics-producing body; or
d) a single form which contains all essential sex-disaggregated
data for all bodies.
3. With a view to meeting the requirements of labour
inspectorates, insurance institutions and the statistics producing
body, the forms prescribed in either a specific or single format
should include at least the following minimum information:
a) facility and employer;
b) injured person (name, address, gender and age; employment
status; occupation);
c) type, nature and location of injury; and
d) accident and its sequence (geographical location of the place
of the accident, date and time, action leading to injury, type
of accident).
46
4. National laws or regulations should provide for the

specification of the relevant necessary information to be noti-
fied for commuting accidents and of more detailed informa-
tion, if available.
5.5. Notification of occupational diseases
Contents
1. National laws or regulations should specify that noti-
fication of occupational diseases include at least the following
information:
a) facility and employer;
b) person affected by the occupational disease (name, sex,
employment status, occupation at the time when the disease
was diagnosed, work history); and
c) occupational disease (name, nature, harmful agents, pro-
cesses or exposure, description of work, length of exposure,
date of diagnosis).
47
6. Safety and health organization
6.1. Occupational health services

1. Consistent with the Occupational Health Services Contents
Convention, 1985 (No. 161), and the Occupational Health

Services Recommendation, 1985 (No. 171), the competent
authority should make provision for the establishment of occu-
pational health services:
a) by laws or regulations;
b) by collective agreements or as otherwise agreed upon by the
employers and workers concerned; or
c) in any other manner approved by the competent authority
after consultation with the representative organizations of
employers and workers concerned.
2. Occupational health services may be organized as a ser-
vice for a single facility or as a service common to a number of
facilities, as appropriate, and by:
a) facilities or groups of facilities concerned;
b) public authorities or official services; or
c) social security institutions or any bodies authorized by the
competent authority.
3. The employer, in consultation with workers and their
representatives, should provide for the setting up of, or access
to, an occupational health service whose basic function, objec-
tive and operation in the establishment should be preventive
and supportive to the employer, in particular regarding:
a) the identification and assessment of the risks from health
hazards in the workplace;
49
b) surveillance of the factors in the working environment

(see Appendix II) and working practices which may affect
workers’ health, including sanitary installations, canteens
and housing, where these facilities are provided by the
employer;
c) advice on the planning and organization of work, including Contents
the design of workplaces, working time flexibility, on the

choice, maintenance and condition of machinery and other
equipment, and on substances used in work;
d) participation in the development of programmes for the
improvement of working practices, as well as testing and
evaluation of health aspects of new equipment;
e) advice on occupational health, safety and hygiene and on
ergonomics and personal and collective protective equip-
ment that is adapted for both women and men;
f) surveillance of workers’ health in relation to work (see
Appendix I);
g) the adaptation of work to the worker;
h) the contribution to measures of vocational rehabilitation;
i) collaboration in providing information, training and educa-
tion in the fields of OSH, hygiene and ergonomics;
j) the organizing of first aid and emergency treatment; and
k) participation in analysis of occupational incidents, accidents
and diseases.
4. A multiplicity of health hazards is present in ship-
building and ship repair work and every effort should be made
to promote awareness of this fact and of the need to safeguard
health.
5. All workers should be subject to health surveillance
which should be provided in line with the ILO Technical and
50
ethical guidelines for workers’ health surveillance (1998) and as

prescribed by national laws and regulations. These guidelines
require arrangements, in particular regarding the following
activities (see Appendix I):
a) organization of workers’ health surveillance at different
levels; Contents
b) health assessments and collection, analysis and evaluation of

information;
c) pre-assignment, regular and post-employment medical
examinations; and
d) use of the results and records of workers’ health surveillance.
6. The surveillance of the working environment and plan-
ning of safety and health precautions should be performed in
line with the requirements in Appendix II of these guidelines
and as prescribed by national laws and regulations.
6.2. Safety and health officers
1. In every shipbuilding and ship repair facility the
employer should appoint (a) safety and health officer(s) to be
in charge of all matters relating to safety and hygiene on the
project.
2. All safety and health officers should have qualifications
and training to perform this role.
3. At all shipbuilding and ship repair facilities at which a
minimum number of workers, as prescribed by national laws or
regulations, is regularly employed, the safety and health officer
should be employed full time on safety and health activities.
4. Safety and health officers should assist management
in the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases, and
should in particular:
51
a) advise management and other persons responsible for OSH,

especially on:
i) the planning and installation of plant, and of welfare
and sanitary facilities;
ii) the acquisition of working equipment and the intro-
duction of work processes; Contents
iii) the selection of PPE;

iv) the organization of workshops, the methods of work
and the working environment; and
v) the daily measurement of oxygen in confined spaces as
well as other general preventive and protective meas-
ures described in chapter 7 of this code.
b) make appropriate safety inspections of working installations
and technical devices, especially before they are put into
service, and of processes, especially before they are brought
into operation;
c) exercise surveillance of OSH measures, and for that purpose:
i) visit workplaces at regular intervals and report any defi-
ciencies to the employer or to other persons responsible
for OSH, and propose measures for remedying such
deficiencies;
ii) observe whether PPE is being used;
iii) investigate the causes of accidents and compile reports on
the causes and circumstances of every lost-time accident,
minor accident and dangerous occurrence, the statistics
produced to be such as to ensure their comparability with
those of other shipbuilding and ship repair facilities;
iv) compile and evaluate the results of investigations and
propose to management measures to prevent the occur-
rence and recurrence of accidents;
52
v) exercise surveillance over the execution of specific acci-

dent prevention measures; and
vi) ensure that official regulations, instructions and other
nationally and internationally recognized instruments
relating to safety and hygiene are complied with;
d) assist workers to comply with the requirements of OSH, Contents
and especially instruct them in the occupational hazards to

which they are exposed and in the equipment and measures
for preventing these hazards, and cooperate and participate
in the periodic training of first-aid workers;
e) if necessary to prevent danger, report to the official occu-
pational health services any unsatisfactory conditions as
regards safety and health that the employer fails to remedy
within a reasonable time; and
f) work in close collaboration with the members of the safety
and health committee and worker safety representatives,
and inform them of all important occurrences and all pro-
posals made.
6.3. Safety and health committees
1. Employers should establish safety and health committees
with representatives of workers and management or make other
suitable arrangements consistent with national laws and regula-
tions for the participation of workers in ensuring safe working
conditions. Representatives of workers and management should
meet regularly, and whenever necessary, to discuss all aspects of
safety and health at the shipbuilding and ship repair facility.
2. The employer should provide the safety and health
committee with the facilities, training and assistance neces-
sary to perform its functions, including all necessary safety and
health information required for committee representatives.
53
3. The employer should notify the safety and health

committee:
a) as soon as practicable, of any occupational accident, occupa-
tional disease or dangerous occurrences at the shipbuilding
and ship repair facility; and
b) in good time of any inspection or investigation by the com- Contents
petent authority at the shipbuilding and ship repair facility

regarding which the employer has received advance notice.
4. National laws or regulations should specify the powers
and functions of safety and health committees.
6.4. Worker safety and health representatives
1. Workers have the right to collectively select safety and
health representatives.
2. The safety and health representatives have the following
rights:
a) to represent workers in all matters bearing on safety and
health in the shipbuilding and ship repair facility;
b) to participate in inspections and investigations conducted
by the employer and by the competent authority at the
workplace and monitor and investigate OSH matters;
c) to have recourse to advisers and independent experts;
d) to consult with the employer in a timely fashion on OSH
matters, including policies and procedures;
e) to consult with the competent authority; and
f) to receive, relevant to the area for which they have been
selected, notice of accidents and dangerous occurrences.
3. Workers and safety and health representatives are
entitled to exercise their rights without discrimination or
retaliation.
54
4. Worker safety and health representatives should receive

adequate periodic training in all OSH aspects of the work
during paid working hours.
Contents
55
7. General preventive and
protective measures
7.1. General provisions Contents
1. All appropriate precautions should be taken:

a) to ensure that all workplaces are safe through the elimina-
tion or control of hazards to minimize risks to the safety
and health of workers; and
b) to protect persons present at, or in the vicinity of, a ship-
building and ship repair facility from all risks which may
arise from the site or associated shipbuilding and ship repair
operations.
7.2. Means of access and egress
1. Adequate and safe means of access and egress should
be provided for all workplaces during all shipbuilding and ship
repair operations on- and offshore. These means of access and
egress should be maintained in a safe condition.
2. Means of access to vessels should be:
a) where practical, the ship’s accommodation ladder, a gangway,
a service tower, construction elevator or similar appliance;
b) in other cases, ladders, stairs, or, if necessary, adequate step-
ladders or similar appliances; or
c) approved lifting cages.
3. Where portable stairs are used as a means of access to
sections that are being fabricated or outfitted, they should be
equipped with handrails and mid-rails if the height is above
1 m. Portable stairs should have a platform.
57
4. Means of access should be:

a) kept free from obstructions;
b) protected against falling objects if they pass under work-
places; and
c) as far as practicable, so installed that no loads pass over Contents
them. In any event, loads should not be passed over the
means of access while workers are on it.
5. Hatches, openings or any other means of access to holds,
ships’ decks or between decks should be provided with safety
barriers. If it is not practicable to provide fixed hold ladders,
portable metal ladders or appropriate wooden ones should be
provided. All ladders should be secured before being used. They
should be used in accordance with section 7.11 of this code.
7.3. Prevention of unauthorized entry
1. Visitors should not be allowed access to shipbuilding
and ship repair facilities or ships, as appropriate, unless accom-
panied by or authorized by a responsible and competent person
and provided with the appropriate PPE and made aware of
emergency procedures and all risks they might be exposed to.
2. Appropriate arrangements concerning access by worker
representatives should be established in accordance with
the provisions of national laws and regulations or collective
agreements.
7.4. Roadways, quays, yards and other places
1. Roadways, quays, yards and other places where persons
or vehicles move or are stationed should be so constructed and
maintained as to be safe for the traffic that they have to carry.
2. To the extent possible vehicular traffic should be physi-
cally separated from pedestrian or bicycle traffic.
58
7. General preventive andprotective measures
3. Yards and other places that are surrounded by fencing

should have separate gates for pedestrians and vehicles.
4. Warehouses and workshops should have separate
doors for pedestrians and vehicles or other means of effective
separation.
5. Dedicated travel lines for pedestrians and cyclists Contents
should be established and marked to separate them from

vehicle traffic or crane operation areas. This should be done by
physical barriers, crosswalks and stop signs, and the painting of
yellow lines on the ground of the facility and on the decks of
ships under construction or repair.
6. Dangerous crossings where transport of heavy objects
is carried out should be protected by automatic signals or gates,
whenever possible, or be guarded by watchpersons. Speed limits
should be established for forklift trucks or other heavy traffic,
and all drivers should be trained.
7. Delivery times and/or no-driving periods should be
scheduled to avoid or reduce the need for interaction between
pedestrians and vehicles.
7.5. Transport of workers by water
1. Boats used to transport workers by water should comply
with the requirement of the competent authority. In particular:
a) the boats should be appropriately staffed by a competent
team;
b) the maximum number of persons transported should not be
greater than safety allows, and this number should be dis-
played in a conspicuous place;
c) suitable and adequate life-saving and firefighting appliances
should be provided and properly placed and maintained;
and
59
d) boats carrying persons should have a valid certificate issued

by the competent authority.
2. Workers should be embarked and disembarked only at
suitable and safe landing places. Pontoons and landing places
should be provided with sufficiently strong and well-secured
bollards or cleats to which boats can be made fast. They should Contents
be provided with sufficient suitable life-saving appliances.

3. Rafts for work on water should be:
a) sufficiently stable, strong and adapted for their purpose;
b) their capacity and buoyancy should be displayed;
c) be securely moored or anchored;
d) have suitable life-saving equipment; and
e) not be overloaded.
4. If trestle scaffolds are used on rafts, adequate precau-
tions should be taken to prevent the overturn of scaffolds or
rafts.
7.6. Multiple people carriers
1. Before using multiple people carriers such as buses and
aircraft to transport workers to and from a remote shipbuilding
or ship repair facility, or using helicopters to transport workers
to and from a ship requiring repair, consideration should be
given to:
a) whether the transport is absolutely necessary;
b) whether the same purpose could be achieved by another
means (for example, by accommodating workers closer to
the site);
c) the safest mode of transport available (for example, is the
time saved on a notoriously dangerous flight route justified,
compared with road transport or other safer means);
60
d) reducing exposure by transporting fewer people, or using

multiple vehicles (for example, conduct a number of flights
to transport key personnel, or use of more and smaller
buses); and
e) whether the weather is safe for transport, particularly in the
case of travel by helicopter. Contents
2. Multiple people carriers should comply with the

requirement of the competent authority. They should be fitted
with seatbelts for drivers or pilots and passengers, and the use
of these belts should be ensured.
3. In the case of aircraft, all workers should be given a pre-
flight safety briefing.
4. Workers should only approach the helicopter when
they have the approval of the pilot to do so. When approaching
or leaving a helicopter with blades rotating, all workers should
remain in full view of the pilot, keep in a crouched position
and stay away from the rear of the helicopter. Anyone entering
a helicopter should have received suitable training, wear a safety
suit and there should be no loose items inside the helicopter.
5. The age and the mechanical and design integrity of
the multiple people carrier should be assessed by a competent
person to ensure that the transport is fit for purpose. There
should be regular inspection and maintenance of critical con-
trols (for example, braking and steering systems).
6. Only reputable and licensed transport providers should
be used, and their credentials and past performance should be
checked.
7. The operator of the multiple people carrier (driver,
pilot) should be licenced and have an acceptable level of com-
petence (qualifications, skill and experience), and his or her
licences and past performance should be checked.
61
7.7. Heating, cooling and ventilation

7.7.1. Heating and cooling
1. Where necessary to prevent danger or preserve health
and to provide adequate comfort, workplaces indoors and
enclosed spaces on board should be:
Contents
a) adequately heated in cold weather; and
b) adequately cooled by ventilation in hot weather.
7.7.2. Ventilation
1. Whenever natural ventilation does not ensure safe and
healthy conditions with regard to temperature and the composi-
tion of the atmosphere, artificial ventilation should be provided.
2. If necessary to prevent danger, local exhaust ventilation
should be provided at places where dust, gas, vapour, steam,
mist or fumes are formed.
3. If it is not practicable to ventilate workplaces sufficiently
to ensure safe and healthy conditions, the workers should be
provided with suitable respirators. In accordance with section
7.9, whenever there is the potential for an unsafe atmosphere to
accumulate, such as a confined space, the air should be tested
for oxygen level and for the presence of flammable, explosive
or toxic substances and the area made safe before any person is
allowed to enter.
4. Compressed air should not be used for ventilation
unless supplied by unit approved for the delivery of respirable
air and the air has been cleaned, temperature controlled and
pressure regulated to safe levels.
5. Oxygen should never be used for ventilation.
6. Polluted or stale air should be so led off that it cannot
cause any risk of fire, explosion or illness.
62
7.8. Housekeeping
1. A suitable housekeeping programme should be estab-
lished and continuously implemented on each shipbuilding
and ship repair facility and on each ship under construction or
repair. It should include provisions for:
a) the proper storage of materials and equipment; and Contents
b) the removal, at appropriate intervals, of scrap, waste and

debris.
2. Loose materials which are not required for immediate
use should not be placed or allowed to accumulate on the site
so as to dangerously obstruct means of access to and egress
from workplaces and passageways.
3. Workplaces and passageways that are slippery owing to
oil or other causes should be cleaned up or strewn with sand,
sawdust, ash or the like.
4. Tools, bolts, nuts and other objects should not be left
lying about where they could create a tripping hazard.
5. Scrap, waste, rubbish and dirt should not be allowed to
accumulate at workplaces or in passageways.
6. Rubbish, dirt and refuse should not be thrown over-
board and should be removed in an environmentally sus-
tainable manner according to internationally recognized
instruments.
7.9. Dangerous atmospheres and confined spaces
1. Where workers are required to enter any area in which
a toxic or harmful substance may be present, or may have been
present, or in which there may be an oxygen deficiency or a
flammable atmosphere, adequate measures should be taken to
guard against danger.
63
2. The measures to be taken regarding dangerous atmos-

pheres should be prescribed by the competent authority in
conformity with the IMO recommendations for entering
enclosed spaces aboard ships (Appendix 5 to IMO Resolution
A.962(23)) and should include prior permission from a com-
petent person, or in conformity with any other system by Contents
which entry into any area in which a dangerous atmosphere

may be present can be made, only after completing specified
procedures.
3. Confined spaces should have signs to prevent inad-
vertent entry.
4. Inside a confined space or area, no naked light or flame
or hot work should be permitted unless the level of flammable
or explosive gas is lower than the level specified in national
regulation, and it has been tested and found safe by a compe-
tent person. Only explosion-proof lights, and tools should be
used inside such confined space or area for initial inspection,
cleaning or other work required to be done for making the area
safe. Any gas used in production should be removed from the
space at the end of the shift.
5. While a worker is in a confined space:
a) adequate facilities and equipment, including breathing
apparatus, first-aid kit, resuscitation apparatus and oxygen,
should be readily available for rescue purposes;
b) a fully trained attendant(s) should be stationed at or near
the opening and should have no other assignments;
c) suitable means of communication should be maintained
between the worker and the attendant(s); and
d) means should be available for the attendant(s) to effect
rescue from the confined space without the necessity of they
themselves entering it.
64
7.10. Scaffolds
7.10.1. General
1. Where work cannot safely be done on or from the
ground, or from part of a ship or other permanent structure,
a safe and suitable scaffold, or other equally safe and suitable
provision, should be provided and maintained. Contents
2. The competent authority should establish and enforce

laws and regulations and other nationally and internationally
recognized instruments covering detailed technical provisions
for the design, construction, erection, use, maintenance, dis-
mantling and inspection of the different kinds of scaffolds and
ladders used.
3. Scaffolds should be provided with safe means of access,
such as gangways, stairways or ladders. Ladders should be
secured against inadvertent movement.
4. Every scaffold and part thereof should be:
a) designed so as to prevent hazards for workers and collapse
or accidental displacement when properly used;
b) designed so that guard rails and other protective devices,
platforms, putlogs, rakers, transoms, ladders, stairs or ramps,
as appropriate, can be easily put together; and
c) of adequate size and strength for the purpose for which it is
to be used and maintained in a proper condition.
5. Scaffolds over the height specified by national regula-
tions should not be erected, substantially altered or dismantled
except by or under the supervision of a competent person, and
properly signed.
7.10.2. Materials
1. Sufficient suitable and sound material should be pro-
vided and used in the construction of scaffolds.
65
2. Materials used in the construction of scaffolds should

be stored under good conditions and apart from any material
unsuitable for scaffolds.
3. All tubes, couplers and fittings used in metal tubular
scaffolding should be of a standard and type approved by the
competent authority or certifying body. All couplers and fit- Contents
tings should be free from damage and distortion, and should

be maintained in a clean and operable condition.
4. Couplers should not cause deformation in tubes.
Couplers should be made of drop-forged steel or equivalent
material.
5. Tubes should be free from cracks, splits and excessive
corrosion and be straight to the eye, and tube ends cut cleanly
square with the tube axis.
6. No rope which is defective, whether through contact
with acids or other corrosive substances or otherwise, should be
used on scaffolds.
7.10.3. Design and construction
1. Scaffolds should be designed for their maximum load
and with a safety factor of at least four, or as prescribed by the
2. Scaffolds should be adequately braced.
3. Scaffolds which are not designed to be independent
should be rigidly connected to the vessel at suitable vertical and
horizontal distances.
4. Anchoring is needed if the scaffold is higher than 10 m.
5. A scaffold should never extend above the highest
anchorage to an extent which might endanger its stability and
strength.
66
6. All scaffolds and appliances used as supports for

working platforms should be of sound construction, have a
firm footing, and be adequately strutted and braced to main-
tain their stability.
7. Drain pipes, ladder rungs or other unsuitable mate-
rial should not be used for the construction or support of Contents
scaffolding.
8. When necessary to prevent danger from falling objects,
working platforms, gangways and stairways of scaffolds should
be provided with overhead screens of adequate strength and
dimensions.
9. Nails should be driven full length, and not driven part
way and then bent over, and should not be subject to direct
pull.
10. Metal scaffolds should not be erected in closer prox-
imity than 5 m to overhead electricity transmission lines equip-
ment except in accordance with safety distances laid down by
the competent authority or after the electrical transmission line
or equipment has been rendered electrically dead.
11. As far as practicable, every part of a working platform,
gangway or stairway of a scaffold from which a person is liable
to fall a distance of 2 m or as prescribed in the national laws or
regulations, should be provided with guard rails and toe boards
complying with the relevant nationally and internationally rec-
ognized instruments.
7.10.4. Prefabricated scaffolds
1. In the case of prefabricated scaffold systems the
instructions provided by the manufacturers or suppliers should
be strictly adhered to. Prefabricated scaffolds should have ade-
quate arrangements for fixing bracing.
67
2. Frames of different types should not be intermingled in

a single scaffold.
7.10.5. Use of scaffolds
1. The employer should provide competent supervision to
ensure that all scaffolds are used appropriately and only for the Contents
purpose for which they are designed or erected.
2. In transferring heavy loads on or to a scaffold a sudden
shock should not be transmitted to the scaffold.
3. When necessary to prevent danger, loads being hoisted
on or to scaffolds should be controlled, that is by a hand rope
(tag line), so that they cannot strike against the scaffold.
4. The load on the scaffold should be evenly distributed,
as far as practicable, and in any case should be so distributed as
to avoid disturbance of the stability of the scaffold.
5. During the use of a scaffold, care should constantly be
taken that it is not overloaded or otherwise misused.
6. Scaffolds should not be used for the storage of material
except that required for immediate use.
7. Platforms on scaffolds should be of adequate dimension,
especially in width, for the tasks performed from the scaffold.
8. Scaffolds should be covered in order to prevent rain or
winds affecting welding or other hot work.
9. Workers should not be employed on external scaffolds
in weather conditions that threaten their safety.
7.10.6. Lifting appliances on scaffolds
1. When a lifting appliance is to be used on a scaffold:
a) the parts of the scaffold should be carefully inspected by
a competent person to determine the additional strength-
ening and other safety measures required;
68
b) any movement of the putlogs should be prevented;

c) if practicable, the uprights should be rigidly connected to a
solid part of the vessel at the place where the lifting appli-
ance is erected.
7.10.7. Inspection and maintenance Contents
1. Scaffolds, as prescribed by national laws and regulations

or other nationally and internationally recognized instruments,
should be inspected, and the results recorded by a competent
person:
a) before being taken into use;
b) at periodic intervals thereafter as prescribed for different
types of scaffolds; and
c) after any alteration, interruption in use, exposure to weather
or seismic conditions or any other occurrence likely to have
affected their strength or stability.
2. Inspection by the competent person should more par-
ticularly ascertain that:
a) the scaffold is of suitable type and adequate for the job;
b) materials used in its construction are sound and of sufficient
strength;
c) it is of sound construction and stable; and
d) that the required safeguards are in position.
3. Every scaffold should be maintained in good and proper
condition, and every part should be kept fixed or secured so
that no part can be displaced in consequence of normal use.
7.10.8. Dismantling
1. Scaffolding materials should not be thrown from scaf-
folds or from heights. Other materials should only be thrown
69
from scaffolds or heights where the landing area has been des-
ignated, protected, appropriate notices displayed, and is under
the supervision of a person on the landing level.
2. Sufficient putlogs and transoms should remain in posi-
tion and securely fastened to the ledgers, uprights or standards,
to ensure the stability of the scaffold until it is finally dismantled. Contents
3. No scaffold should be partly dismantled and left so that

it is capable of being used, unless it continues to be safe for use.
7.10.9. Suspended scaffolds
1. In addition to the requirements for scaffolds in general
as regards soundness, stability and protection against the risk
of falls, suspended scaffolds should meet the following specific
requirements in so far as such requirements are applicable:
a) platforms should be designed and built with dimensions
that are compatible with the stability of the structure as a
whole, especially the length;
b) the number of anchorages should be compatible with the
dimensions of the platform;
c) the safety of workers should be safeguarded by an extra rope
having a point of attachment independent of the anchorage
arrangements of the scaffold;
d) the anchorages and other elements of support of the scaffold
should be designed and built in such a way as to ensure suf-
ficient strength;
e) the ropes, electric motors, winches, pulleys or pulley blocks
should be designed, assembled, used and maintained
according to the requirements established for lifting gear
adapted to the lifting of persons according to national laws
and regulations, or other nationally and internationally rec-
ognized instruments; and
70
f) before use, the whole structure should be checked by a com-

petent person.
7.10.10. Platforms attached to lifting appliances
and mobile elevated working platforms
1. If necessary to prevent danger when a working platform Contents
is attached to a lifting appliance, the lifting appliance should be
provided with means of positively locking the supports so as to
prevent inadvertent movement of the platform.
2. If necessary to prevent danger, the lifting appliance
operator should remain at the controls while the platform is in
use.
3. If the platform is suspended, adequate precautions
should be taken against swinging and spinning.
4. Lifting bridles of working platforms suspended from
cranes should:
a) have four legs such that the stability of the platform is
ensured; and
b) be attached to the crane rope by safety hooks, shackles or
other means that effectively prevent them from disengaging
from the crane rope.
5. If the platform is rigidly attached to the lifting appli-
ance, adequate precautions should be taken to prevent it from
tilting during raising and lowering.
6. While the platform is in use the lifting appliance should
not be moved on any surface. The lifting appliance should be
so installed and fixed that its position cannot be changed by
either the load or by any other influence.
7. All lifting appliances used with working platforms
should be fitted with over-hoisting limit switches.
71
7.10.11. Mobile scaffolding

1. Scaffolding supported on wheels should be adequately
braced and stiffened to prevent dangerous distortion in use
and, if necessary for stability, be adequately weighted at the
base.
2. Mobile scaffolding should be used only on a firm, level Contents
surface.
3. The height of mobile scaffolding should not exceed four
times the lesser base dimension.
4. Ladders giving access to mobile scaffolding should be
secured to the structure.
5. When mobile scaffolding is in use the castors or wheels
should be adequately blocked.
6. No person, material or tool should be on scaffolding
that is being moved.
7.11. Ladders
1. Ladders are not designed to replace working platforms.
2. Leaning ladders should be used only as a temporary way
to access points of work. The angle should be approximately 75
degrees or a 1:4 ratio.
3. Workers should inspect ladders prior to use. If the
ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service and tagged
until repaired or discarded.
4. Rungs, cleats and steps of ladders must not be spaced
less than 25 cm apart, nor more than 36 cm apart, along the
ladder’s side rails.
5. Labels and markings on the ladder should be read and
followed. Ladders and appropriate accessories (for example ladder
levellers, jacks or hooks) should be used only for their designed
72
purpose. Ladders must not be used beyond their maximum

intended load nor beyond their manufacturer’s rated capacity.
6. Ladders should be maintained free of oil, grease and
other slipping hazards. Rungs of metal ladders should be corru-
gated or treated to prevent slipping.
7. Unless secured to prevent accidental movement, ladders Contents
should be used only on stable and level surfaces. They should

not be used on slippery surfaces unless secured or provided
with slip-resistant feet to prevent accidental movement.
8. When placed in areas such as passageways, doorways or
driveways, or where they can be displaced by workplace activi-
ties, ladders should be secured to prevent accidental movement,
or a barricade should be used to keep traffic or activity away
from the ladder.
9. Hand ladders for access should extend at least 1 m
beyond the platform.
10. Areas around the top and bottom of ladders should be
kept clear.
11. Before using the ladder, workers should check overhead
and avoid using it near power lines or exposed energized elec-
trical equipment. Metal ladders should not be used in prox-
imity of electrical equipment.
12. Rope ladders should be used only as supplementary
means of access to holds.
13. Workers using ladders should:
a) leave both hands free for climbing up and down;
b) face the ladder;
c) avoid wearing slippery boots or shoes; and
d) avoid carrying heavy or bulky loads that could cause loss of
balance and falling.
73
14. Ladders should not be moved while a person or equip-

ment is on the ladder.
15. If objects have to be carried on ladders, belts or other
suitable means should be provided and used for the purpose.
16. If a task requires staying up for more than 30 minutes
at a time, the use of scaffolds should be considered. Contents
17. Painted wooden ladders and improvised hand ladders

should not be used.
18. To ensure effective inspection ladders should never
be painted or coated in any way that could conceal defects or
cover up the manufacturers’ specifications or capacity labels.
7.12. Precautions against the fall of persons and materials
1. The competent authority should establish regulations,
specifying requirements for fall prevention or work at height.
This should include the requirements for preventing falls from
height; the certification, inspection, testing and use of fall-pre-
vention and fall-protection equipment; and the required con-
trols to prevent falling objects striking a person.
2. The employer should perform a risk assessment to iden-
tify and assess tasks that involve a risk of a person falling from
height. Based on the risk assessment, there should be a fall-pre-
vention programme developed. The programme should include:
a) procedures for working at height;
b) a process for preparing, testing and implementing emer-
gency rescue procedures for fall scenarios; and
c) the certification, provision, use inspection, testing and main-
tenance of fall-prevention and fall-protection equipment.
3. The employer should perform a risk assessment to
identify and assess the situations, tasks or equipment where
74
there could be an unplanned release from height of any

object, equipment, component, material, among other things.
Particular attention should be paid to work, either routine or
non-routine, where persons are working above other persons.
Based on the assessment, each shipbuilding and ship repair
facility should develop control strategies for the prevention of Contents
falling objects or protecting persons from the risk of falling

objects.
4. Elimination of the risk of a fall from height is a pri-
ority and there should be processes in place to assess the work
and minimize the need for working at any height, including
bringing components to ground level to perform maintenance,
among other things.
5. In any case, where there is a risk of falling, greater than
the height specified by national regulations, either fall preven-
tion or fall protection equipment should be used.
6. Where work at height occurs, the employer should
develop work at heights procedures and a permitting process.
This should include a process for preparing, testing and imple-
menting emergency rescue procedures for fall scenarios.
7. The employer should develop a procedure to define
barricading requirements where there is a risk of falling over
an unprotected edge and barricading or protective covers
where there is a risk of falling through an opening. The pro-
cedures should also address the control measures required to
prevent or protect a person from falling through a brittle sur-
face, for example, working on or accessing roofs among other
things.
8. Where elimination of the fall risk is not possible,
there should be a process to reduce the risk of falling by using
fall-prevention measures that include:
75
a) fixed and temporary work platforms, access ways, barriers,

and so forth, including scaffolding, mobile work platforms,
among other things; and
b) fall restraint, which should only be used when elimination
of the fall risk, the use of work platforms or hard barri-
cading cannot be used. Fall restraint should prevent a person Contents
reaching a position at which there is a risk of a fall and con-

sist of a harness, connected by a lanyard to an anchorage
point or static line.
9. Fall-prevention measures should be designed, installed,
maintained and certified in accordance with national laws and
by competent, authorized persons. There should be processes
and procedures for the inspection, maintenance, testing and
certification of these.
10. Wherever practical, a safe working area should be pro-
vided by means of work platforms or scaffolds that have com-
plete floors, guardrails, toe-boards, and safe access and egress.
11. Where mobile work platforms are used for fall preven-
tion, there should be a process for ensuring these are compliant
with national laws and regulations or nationally and interna-
tionally recognized instruments and that they are inspected
to manufacturers’ pre-operational check requirements prior to
use. When operating a mobile work platform:
a) a competent and authorized person should be designated to
control the mobile work platform and that person should be
inside the basket; and
b) every person in the mobile work platform basket should be
attached to an approved anchorage point at all times.
12. Where the above fall-prevention strategies cannot be
used, fall protection or fall arrest systems should be used. A
fall-arrest system should only be used where a person:
76
a) can reach a position where a fall is possible;

b) has a lanyard, adjustable in length, so the unprotected edge
can be reached; and
c) is working on a surface that may not hold their weight.
13. The fall-arrest system should consist of:
a) an approved body harness; Contents
b) a shock-absorbing lanyard, where the potential to fall is

greater than 4 m or a short restraining lanyard, where the
potential to fall is less than 4 m;
c) double or triple action snap hooks (or karabiner type rings);
and
d) secure anchorage points or static lines.
14. There should be a process for ensuring that arrest equip-
ment, including harnesses, shock-absorbing lanyards, hooks
or rings are tested and certified for use; inspected by the user
before use; and destroyed after a fall or where inspection shows
evidence of excessive wear or mechanical malfunction.
15. Permanent anchorage points should be designed and
rated to take the required load and be periodically inspected
by a competent person. Temporary anchorage points must be
assessed by a competent person prior to use to ensure they can
support the required load.
16. Work from portable ladders should be minimized.
If required, it should be carried out in accordance with an
approved procedure. Portable ladders should be safely stored,
inspected before use and maintained. A person may climb or
descend a ladder without fall protection provided that they are
able to use both hands and legs to do so; facing the ladder, and
using one step at a time. Where a person could fall more than 6
m, or as specified by national regulations, a fixed ladder instal-
lation should be fitted with a side screen, or a ladder cage.
77
17. Where overhead work is being conducted, barricading

should be erected around the work area to prevent people
accessing the drop zone and there should be controls in place
to prevent tools, equipment or other objects from falling.
18. Waste materials or objects should not be thrown down
from heights. If material and objects cannot be safely lowered Contents
from heights, adequate precautions should be taken, such as the

provision of fencing or barriers.
19. Loose articles should not be left lying about in places
where they could fall on persons underneath.
20. Workers employed at elevated workplaces should be
provided with containers for screws, bolts, nuts and the like.
21. There should be training and competency assessment in
accordance with national laws and regulations or other nation-
ally and internationally recognized instruments so that rele-
vant persons are trained and deemed competent to:
a) work at heights;
b) issue working at heights permits;
c) design, erect, dismantle, maintain and inspect work plat-
forms and scaffolds;
d) design, install, inspect and maintain anchorage points and
static lines;
e) operate and maintain mobile work platforms; and
f) inspect and maintain scaffolding and working at heights
equipment.
7.13. Fire prevention and firefighting
1. All appropriate measures should be taken by the
employer to:
a) avoid the risk of fire;
78
b) control quickly and efficiently any outbreak of fire; and

c) bring about a quick and safe evacuation of persons.
2. The employer in charge of the shipbuilding and ship
repair facility should provide for the establishment of a team
or teams of trained persons, compatible with the size of the
facility and the number of persons employed, to be deployed in Contents
case of fire.
3. National laws or regulations should establish standards
requiring automatic fire sensor and warning device systems to
be used to actuate deluge-type water systems, foam generator
systems, multipurpose dry-powder systems, or other equivalent
automatic fire suppression systems. Smoke detection and alarm
systems should be installed as early as possible. Alarm system
and evacuation testing should be carried out at least once
during the construction or repair of a ship.
4. Sufficient and secure storage areas should be provided
for flammable liquids and solids and gases, such as liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) tanks and acetylene cylinders, paints
and other such materials. The storage tanks for flammable
liquids and gases should be earthed to discharge the accumu-
lation of static energy. The trucks loading or unloading fuel
from tanks should also be earthed before connecting to the
tanks.
5. Smoking should be prohibited and “No smoking”
notices prominently displayed in all places containing readily
combustible or flammable materials. Employers should con-
sider introducing a non-smoking policy and enforce it.
6. In confined spaces and other places in which flammable
gases, vapours or dusts can cause danger:
a) only suitably protected electrical installations and equip-
ment, including portable lamps, should be used;
79
b) there should be no naked flames or similar means of

ignition;
c) there should be notices prohibiting smoking;
d) oily rags, waste and clothes or other substances liable to
spontaneous ignition should be removed without delay to a
safe place; Contents
e) adequate ventilation should be provided; and

f) persons wearing clothes likely to cause static electricity or
shoes likely to cause sparks should be excluded.
7. Combustible materials, greasy or oily waste, and scrap
wood or plastics should be kept in closed containers made of
non-combustible material in a safe place.
8. Regular inspections should be made of places where
there are fire risks. These include the vicinity of heating
appliances, electrical installations and conductors, stores of
flammable and combustible materials, welding and cutting
operations.
9. Welding, flame cutting and other hot work should only
be done on the orders of a competent person, after appropriate
precautions are taken, as required, to reduce the risk of fire and
explosion.
10. In accordance with national laws and regulations,
places where the danger of fire has been identified should be
provided with:
a) suitable and sufficient fire-extinguishing equipment, which
should be readily available, and easily visible and accessible;
and
b) an adequate water supply at ample pressure.
11. Fire-extinguishing equipment should be selected and
provided in accordance with the provisions of internationally
80
recognized instruments and national laws and regulations, the

results of the initial hazard identification and risk assessment
and based on the processes identified in the safe workplans.
Equipment deployed should be suitable for, and consistent
with, the following demands and applications:
a) the restricted access, egress and confined spaces inside the Contents
ship;
b) the quantity and characteristics of hazardous, flammable
and explosive substances handled in shipbuilding and ship
repair operations;
c) site transport and storage facilities; and
d) first-stage firefighting purposes (hand-held or trol-
ley-mounted portable firefighting extinguishers).
12. Fire-extinguishing equipment should be properly main-
tained in full working order and inspected and tested at suit-
able intervals by a competent person in accordance with the
manufacturers’ recommendations. Access to fire-extinguishing
equipment, such as hydrants, portable extinguishers and con-
nections for hoses, should be kept clear at all times.
13. Suitable training, instruction and information should
be given to all supervisors and a sufficient number of both men
and women workers about the hazards of fires, the appropriate
precautions to be taken and the use of fire-extinguishing equip-
ment, so that adequate trained personnel are readily available
during all working periods. The training, instruction and
information provided should include, in particular:
a) the circumstances in which workers should not attempt to
deal with a fire themselves, but should evacuate the area and
call in firefighters;
b) when and where to raise the alarm;
81
c) the action to be taken in the event of fire, including the use

of means of escape;
d) the correct use of firefighting and fire-protection equipment,
for workers expected to use it;
e) the toxic nature of the fumes given off and first-aid measures;
f) the proper use of appropriate PPE; and Contents
g) evacuation plans and procedures.

14. Sufficient, suitable and effective means (sight and sound
signals) should be installed to give warning in case of fire. There
should be an effective evacuation plan so that all persons are
evacuated speedily without panic.
15. Notices should be posted at conspicuous places, indi-
cating, if applicable:
a) the nearest fire alarm;
b) the telephone number and address of the nearest emergency
services; and
c) the nearest first-aid post.
7.14. Means of escape in case of fire or other dangers
1. Means of escape should be kept clear at all times.
2. Escape routes should be frequently inspected and con-
tinuously modified on the ship according to the progress of
the construction and repair work. Where appropriate, suitable
visual signs should be provided to indicate clearly the direction
of escape in case of fire.
3. Means of escape should be:
a) provided on the ship and from the ship during all construc-
tion and repair operations;
b) clearly marked; during night work this should be done with
emergency lighting; and
82
c) shown on plans, which should be posted at the access to and

inside the ship and landside facilities, as appropriate.
4. In order to provide adequate emergency access to and
from the ship, there should always be a minimum of two sep-
arate points of access. These should be located as far apart as is
practicable and, where possible, on opposite sides and ends of Contents
the ship.
5. Where there is a large workforce in a confined space
such as an engine room or pump room, consideration should be
given to cutting an access point through the hull to the space.
In any event, a safe clear way should always be maintained from
the lower to the main deck level.
7.15. Signs, notices, colour codes and communication
1. Signs and symbols are a very effective method of
warning against hazards and of presenting information in a
non-linguistic form. Safety signs and notices should conform
in shape and colour to the requirements of the competent
authority. Signs should be posted to ensure that workers are
not unnecessarily exposed to hazards.
2. The contents of portable fire extinguishers should be
indicated by a colour code, in compliance with the requirements
of the competent authority. Each fire extinguisher should have
a label affixed to it providing instructions for its use.
3. Various technical standards exist for the colour coding
of electrical wiring cores and care should always be taken to
ensure that personnel are aware of the meaning of the core col-
ours on board each ship. If a replacement is required, it should
be in accordance with the coding system.
4. Gas cylinders should be clearly marked with the
name and symbol of the gas and the body should be coloured
83
according to its contents. A colour coding card should be

provided.
5. Protocols for communicating via radios or other elec-
tronic means should be established to ensure that the risk of
misunderstanding is minimized, particularly for critical infor-
mation. These protocols should be conveyed to all involved in Contents
such activities and strictly monitored.
84
8. Operational planning
8.1. General requirements

1. Safe ship construction and repair requires facilities Contents
to plan operations in advance and to continually review such
plans as operations are carried out and completed. Shipbuilding
and ship repair facilities should prepare safe workplans for each
operation or task in advance to ensure the safety and health of
workers.
2. By segmenting shipbuilding and ship repair processes
and operations, tasks that are hazardous for the safety and
health of workers can be identified and quantified more easily.
Using this approach, the construction and repair of ships can
be undertaken in a controlled and managed manner and
the safety and health of workers can be protected by elim-
inating or minimizing any risks involved in the work to be
undertaken.
3. Operational planning should also be a means of sys-
tematically improving working conditions. The benefits of the
sound planning of shipbuilding and ship repair operations
include a reduction in the number and severity of occupational
accidents and increased productivity through the adoption of
safe work practices and the associated psychological assurance
borne out of knowing that control is being exercised at the
workplace.
4. Shipbuilding and ship repair facilities should promote
a “safety first” culture and reassure workers through the pro-
vision of health services, workers’ health surveillance (see
Appendix I), surveillance of the working environment (see
Appendix II) and other welfare and social security benefits.
85
8.2. Preparation of safe workplans

1. Safe workplans should be developed by competent per-
sons possessing a thorough knowledge of safe shipbuilding and
ship repair practices and procedures, in consultation with all
workers and their representatives, and should include the nec-
essary precautionary and preventive measures to safeguard the Contents
safety and health of workers.

2. To prepare a safe workplan, the work processes involved
in the specific shipbuilding or ship repair operation, including
surface preparation, painting, welding, work in enclosed spaces
and other key operations, should be examined carefully to iden-
tify the tasks that make up each operation. Each task should
then be analysed to determine the hazards involved, assess the
risks and devise suitable means of performing the task as safely
as possible.
3. When preparing safe workplans, consideration should
be given to:
a) the selection of appropriate and adequate preventive and
protective measures for each operation or task, using infor-
mation on safety and health measures from international
and national sources, as appropriate;
b) consideration of any additional requirements, such as
responsibility, accountability, supervision, competence and
training, and OSH requirements in relation to purchasing,
leasing and contract specifications; and
c) the required PPE or protective clothing that is adapted for
use for both women and men.
4. Model safe plans may be developed with input at the
initial stages from managers, supervisors and workers, and then
adapted to specific ships as information and details are acquired
for each ship to be constructed or repaired. As the plans are
86
developed, input should be sought from specialists and con-

tractors who are likely to become involved in the actual opera-
tion, in accordance with the specific ship to be constructed or
repaired.
5. In the case of ship repair, the shipowner should provide
information on any hazardous substance and the ship’s condi- Contents
tion upon arrival, including specific information on the con-

tents of cargo tanks, before any repair work is carried out in
cargo and ballast tanks, void spaces, pipe tunnels, cofferdams,
pump rooms and empty fuel and lubrication oil tanks. This
should be verified by the employer using suitable detectors to
measure the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide vapours and toxic
gasses. This information should be used to adapt safe work-
plans, if necessary.
6. Safe workplans applicable to each operation and task
should be readily available to the workers involved in a lan-
guage that they understand. Such plans may include photos for
ease of understanding. Each worker and team should review
the safe workplan for the task before performing it for the first
time, and frequently thereafter.
7. All workers should receive induction and basic safety
training in safe working operations and tasks, and be issued
with relevant PPE and protective clothing, whenever appro-
priate. Trained workers with tested competence and specialized
skills should be used for demanding and hazardous tasks iden-
tified in the safe workplan.
8. All safe workplans should be designed to protect against
fatigue by the provision of reasonable hours of work, rest days
at reasonable intervals, the necessary breaks during working
hours (especially when the work is strenuous, dangerous or
monotonous) and an acceptable workload.
87
9. Regular meetings between the employer, workers, main

contractors and safety and health committee representatives
should be held to update the safe workplans.
8.3. Permit-to-work system
8.3.1. Application Contents
1. This section should apply to the following types of

high-risk work:
a) work which involves the use of any hazardous, volatile, cor-
rosive or flammable chemical, material or solvent in signifi-
cant quantities;
b) work involving entry into any confined space;
c) work at heights;
d) spray painting work;
(e) abrasive blasting work carried out in a confined space;
f) testing or dismantling of any pipe or equipment that con-
tains steam or contains, or had contained, oil or substances
that are flammable, toxic or corrosive;
g) ballasting and de-ballasting of a ship;
h) repair or maintenance work carried out on the hydraulic
system of a ship;
i) bunkering and transferring of fuel oil;
j) radiography work;
k) pressure testing;
l) electrical work;
m) such other work as the competent authority may specify;
and
n) such other work identified as high-risk by the employer.
88
8.3.2. Implementation of permit-to-work system

1. Where any high-risk work is or is to be carried out,
it should be the duty of the employer in charge of the ship-
building or ship repair facility to:
a) develop and implement a permit-to-work system; and
b) appoint a workplace safety and health officer or a competent Contents
person to issue a permit to work.

2. The permit-to-work system should provide that:
a) the high-risk work is carried out with due regard to the
safety and health of persons carrying out the work; and
b) such persons are informed of the hazards associated with
the high-risk work and the precautions they have to take.
3. Where any high-risk work is or is to be carried out,
it should be the duty of the employer under whose direction
any person carries out the high-risk work, to ensure that no
such high-risk work is carried out without a permit to work in
respect of that high-risk work.
89
9. Health and safety requirements for the
most common hazardous operations and
tasks in the construction and repair
of ships
Contents
9.1. Docks and docking operations

1. Wet, dry and floating docks should be provided at
approximate places with life-saving equipment such as life-
saving buoys.
2. When a vessel is entering or leaving a dock, only the per-
sons required for the docking or undocking operation should
be on board. During the docking or undocking operation, the
workers should remain on the open deck. The only exceptions
to this rule should be the persons required to operate the vessel.
3. During docking and undocking operations, the dock
should be securely closed so that persons not engaged in the
operation are not exposed to danger. Cranes in floating docks
should always be secured against any inadvertent movement
during docking or undocking operations.
4. Before docking and undocking of the ship, the stability
of the operation should be checked by the dock manager in
cooperation with the competent ship’s officer.
5. Before floating the dock, an inspection of the valves and
draining openings in the bottom and side of the ship should be
carried out to ensure that the openings are closed and properly
secured.
6. Tankers that are carrying or have carried volatile liq-
uids as cargo should not enter a dock unless their cargo tanks,
91
spaces and piping have been emptied, cleaned, ventilated, and

tested for gas, and the master has obtained a certificate from
the competent authority, or its authorised representative, that
there is no fire or explosion hazard connected with the vessel.
7. Before work begins on a vessel in dock it should be
cleared of silt, dirt or ice, and be cleaned; the hull should be Contents
earthed; the propellers and the rudder should be blocked; and

the fire-extinguishing system should be connected to the dock
water mains.
8. Temporary piping, hose or electric cables laid from the
shore to the vessel should be supported on ladders, gangways
or the like. Piping, hose and cables should be kept clear of the
passageway on gangways.
9.2. Hull construction
1. Hulls under construction should be so fixed as to be
incapable of overturning. The safety factor against tipping
should be at least 1.5. Measures to ensure stability should
include:
a) a supporting base of adequate strength;
b) underlying structures of sufficient strength and stability;
c) supports for the hull;
d) stays on the outside of the hull; and
e) anchoring.
2. If there is any danger that the stability of the hull will
be affected as work proceeds, stability should be ensured at each
stage by suitable measures. No structures supporting the vessel
on the slipway, and no part of the hull, should be dismantled or
removed without the permission of the management. Supports,
stays and anchors should be properly secured against sliding,
overturning, falling down and buckling.
92
9. Health and safety requirements for the most common
3. When sternposts, propeller shaft brackets, rudders and

similar structures are being placed in position, use should be
made of props, stays, cages, keel blocks, guy ropes, ropes with
stretching screws or special rigging.
4. When fore and aft and thwartship bulkheads are being
installed they should be secured against falling by means such Contents
as steel wires with stretching screws.

5. When fittings are being placed in position under
decks and secured with bolts, the work should be done from
a safely secured floor footing and not from any suspended
part.
6. When floors of double bottoms, decks, platforms, com-
partments, bridges and the infrastructure of engine and boiler
rooms, corridors and similar spaces are being installed, at the
end of the day or shifts, no extraneous, abandoned or unse-
cured objects should be left behind.
7. Before holes are flame cut or drilled in floors, decks
or bulkheads, the workers on the other side of such structures
should be informed of the risk from the flame or drill.
8. Before temporary partitions are installed or adjusted in
holds, all other work over the hatches of such holds should be
stopped.
9. Steel girders that are being erected should be ade-
quately shored or braced until they are permanently secured in
position.
10. No load-bearing structural member should be danger-
ously weakened by cutting, holing or other means.
11. If harmful substances have to be removed from steel
surfaces, the work should comply with the relevant require-
ments of section 9.3.
93
9.2.1. Prefabricated sections

1. Sections should be assembled only at places intended
for the purpose in the building plans. Assembly work should
not be carried on in passageways.
2. For the storage of finished sections, spaces or places of
adequate dimensions should be provided, and equipped with Contents
transport and lifting appliances that ensure the easy and safe
installation, storage and removal of the sections. Sections taken
into storage should be placed securely in position.
3. Whenever possible, welding, assembly work, fitting or
other work should not be done on sections in storage.
4. Before being taken on board, prefabricated sections
should be:
a) complete, completely finished and ready for placing in
position;
b) provided with adequately dimensioned and placed attach-
ments such as fixed eyes or U‑bolts to facilitate lifting them,
placing them and securing them to supports; any welding
attachment should be done by competent welders and sub-
jected, when necessary, to non-destructive testing by a com-
petent person; and
c) provided with the necessary indications for placing them in
position on the hull.
5. Fitting work for the equipment of sections should
be done in places specially provided for the purpose. Fitting
work should not be done on sections placed on platforms for
transport.
6. Sections should be tilted with the help of special
mechanical equipment and structures. The tilting equipment
should have a locking device that ensures secure control at any
94
angle of tilt. The operations of placing sections in the tilting

equipment, tilting them and removing them should be carried
out under competent supervision.
7. No welding, assembly or other work should be done on
sections until they are placed in position and firmly secured.
Contents
9.2.2. Hoisting
1. While structural members are being moved into place,
the load should not be released from the hoisting rope until the
members are securely fastened in place.
2. Structural members should not be forced into place by
the hoisting machine while any worker is in such a position
that he could be injured by the operation.
3. Open-web steel girders that are hoisted singly should be
directly placed in position and secured against dislodgement.
4. Bundles of girders should be secured against dislodge-
ment after being hoisted.
5. No load should be placed on open-web steel girders
until they have been placed in position and secured.
9.3. Surface preparation and preservation
1. Various methods are used to prepare and preserve sur-
faces at different stages in shipbuilding and ship repair pro-
cesses. These include:
a) toxic cleaning solvents;
b) chemical paint and preservative removers;
c) power tools;
d) flame removal;
e) abrasive blasting; and
f) high-pressure water.
95
2. Each of these operations involves hazards, including

work with acid and heat sources, toxic vapours, fumes and dust,
noise and vibration, electricity and machinery, as well as the
risk of eye injury. Abrasive blasting operations cause high levels
of noise and dust. This dust can be flammable or contain toxic
materials. Contents
9.3.1. Toxic cleaning solvents

1. When toxic solvents are used for surface cleaning:
a) the cleaning operation should be completely enclosed to
prevent the escape of vapour;
b) either natural ventilation or mechanical exhaust ventilation
should be used to remove vapour at source and to dilute the
concentration of vapours to a level that is safe for the entire
work period;
c) workers should be protected against toxic vapours by suit-
able respiratory protective equipment and, where necessary,
against exposure of the skin and eyes to toxic solvents and
their vapours by appropriate PPE; and
d) when flammable solvents are used, precautions should be
taken in accordance with the requirements concerning fire
prevention and firefighting (section 7.13).
9.3.2. Chemical paint and preservative removers
1. Workers should be protected against skin exposure
when handling and applying chemical paint and preservative
removers, and against eye injury by goggles or face shields. In
addition:
a) when using flammable paint and preservative removers,
precautions should be taken in accordance with the
requirements concerning fire prevention and firefighting
(section 7.13);
96
b) when using chemical paint and preservative removers which

contain volatile and toxic solvents, such as benzol, acetone
and amyl acetate, the requirements for toxic cleaning sol-
vents apply;
c) when using paint and rust removers containing strong acids
or alkalis, workers should be protected by suitable face Contents
shields to prevent chemical burns on the face and neck;

d) when steam guns are used, all workers within range of the
blast should be protected by suitable face shields. Metal
parts of the steam gun should be insulated to protect the
operator against heat burns; and
e) when this type of work is conducted, no other worker
should enter the exclusion zone.
9.3.3. Power tools
1. Workers using power or pneumatic tools for the
removal of paints, preservatives, rust or other coatings should
be protected against eye injury by goggles or face shields. In
addition, and as described in section 14.3:
a) all portable rotating tools used for the removal of paints,
preservatives, rusts or other coatings should be adequately
guarded to protect both the operator and nearby workers
from flying particles;
b) portable electric tools which do not have batteries should be
grounded as indicated by the manufacturer’s specifications;
c) in a confined space, mechanical exhaust ventilation suffi-
cient to keep the dust concentration to a minimum should
be used, or workers should be protected by respiratory pro-
tective equipment; and
d) pneumatic tools should have a secure connection between
the tool and the air hose.
97
9.3.4. Flame removal

1. Hardened preservative coatings should not be removed
by flame in enclosed spaces unless the workers exposed to
fumes are protected by airline respirators. Workers engaged
in flame removal in the open air, and those exposed to the
resulting fumes, should be protected by fume filter type respi- Contents
rators. Flame or heat should not be used to remove soft and

greasy preservative coatings.
9.3.5. Abrasive blasting
1. No sand or other substance containing free silica
should be used for abrasive blasting on board ships. Used abra-
sive should not be used again except in closed systems.
2. When this type of work is being conducted, no other
workers should enter the exclusion zone.
3. Where the blasting process may give rise to flammable
dusts, such as those of aluminium or zinc, deposits should not
be allowed to accumulate to such an extent that they give rise
to the risk of secondary dust explosion. Additionally, all dust
separation and collection equipment should be in the open air
and, where necessary, fitted with explosion relief.
4. Abrasive blasting should, if possible, be carried out in a
blasting enclosure, such as a chamber or cabinet, which should
be kept completely closed while blasting is in progress. Every
blasting enclosure should be inspected and tested at suitable
intervals, not exceeding one week in the case of inspections and
one month in the case of tests.
5. Blasting enclosures should be equipped with exhaust
ventilation adequate to remove and safely discharge the dust
produced during blasting. Dust extraction equipment should
not allow dust to escape into places where workers are engaged
98
or pass through. Exhaust ventilation should be in operation

whenever the blasting enclosure is in use, and whenever any
worker is in the enclosure for the purpose of maintenance,
repair and similar operations.
6. Hoses and fittings used for abrasive blasting should
meet the following requirements: Contents
a) hoses of a type to prevent shocks from static electricity

should be used;
b) hose lengths should be joined by metal couplings secured to
the outside of the hose to avoid erosion and weakening of
the couplings;
c) nozzles should be attached to the hose by fittings that pre-
vent the nozzle from unintentionally becoming disengaged.
Nozzle attachments should be of metal and should fit onto
the hose externally; and
d) a dead man control device should be provided at the nozzle
end of the blasting hose, either to provide direct cut-off or
to signal the pot tender by means of a visual and audible
signal to cut off the flow in the event that the blaster loses
control of the hose. The pot tender should be available at all
times to respond immediately to the signal.
7. Hoses and all fittings used for abrasive blasting should
be inspected frequently to ensure timely replacement before an
unsafe amount of wear has occurred.
8. Workers engaged in abrasive blasting should be pro-
vided with suitable PPE, including filter type respirators used
in conjunction with appropriate eye, face, hearing and head
protection, overalls and gloves. When abrasive blasting is car-
ried out in confined spaces, operators should be protected by
hoods and airline respirators, or by air helmets of a positive
pressure type.
99
9. Workers, other than blasters, including machine ten-

ders and those that recover abrasive materials, working in areas
where unsafe concentrations of abrasive materials and dusts are
present, should be protected by eye and respiratory protective
equipment.
10. As surges from drops in pressure in the hose line can be Contents
sufficient to throw the blaster off the staging, the blaster must
be protected by a fall protection system when blasting is being
carried out at heights at which adequate protection against falls
cannot be provided by railings.
11. Persons engaged in abrasive blasting should undergo
periodical medical examinations, including a chest radio-
graphic examination.
9.4. Painting
1. The hazards involved in painting include toxic fumes
or vapours, and the risk of eye injury and irritation of lungs
and skin. Repeated exposure to solvents can have long-term
effects on health, including dermatitis. Painting in confined
spaces where vapours cannot escape is particularly hazardous,
as solvents can displace air and may be poisonous, flammable
or explosive.
2. Every effort should be made to substitute hazardous
substances, especially carcinogens, mutagens and reproduc-
tive toxicity, used in painting operations with less hazardous
paints and solvents that still meet the technical specifications
required. Hazardous substances should only be used if the
workers are informed about the risks of fire, toxicity or other
hazards which may occur in the transport, use or disposal of
such substances and their prevention, and trained in their safe
use or disposal.
100
3. Containers and packages containing hazardous sub-

stances used in painting should:
a) be plainly marked to indicate the contents, using the name
of the chemical and its hazardous nature, and labelled with
the appropriate hazard symbol; and
b) carry or be accompanied by instructions for the safe han- Contents
dling and use of the contents.

4. Approaches to work areas where hazards from toxic
or irritant fumes may exist should be provided with notices or
signs indicating the hazards involved and the prevention meas-
ures to be taken.
5. The preparation and mixing of hazardous substances
for painting should be carried out in special preparation prem-
ises, separated from other workplaces and well ventilated. All
operations involving any handling of hazardous substances,
whether liquid or solid, such as transfer from one container to
another, should only be carried out in premises equipped with
exhaust ventilation and using tools and appliances that prevent
the spillage of such substances.
6. In spaces in which work is carried out using paints,
adhesives, resins and similar preparations containing volatile,
flammable or otherwise harmful substances:
a) adequate ventilation, whether general or local, should be
provided;
b) smoking, open flames, arcs and spark-producing equipment
should be prohibited in the area;
c) only explosion-proof lights should be used;
d) a competent person should inspect all power and lighting
cables to ensure that: the insulation is in excellent condi-
tion and free of any cracks or worn spots; there are no
101
connections within 15 m of the operation; and lines are not

overloaded and are suspended with sufficient slack to pre-
vent undue stress or chafing;
e) the metallic parts of air moving devices, including fans,
blowers and jet-type air movers, and all duct work, should
be electrically bonded to the structure of the vessel; Contents
f) ventilation should be such as to keep the concentration of

flammable vapours below 10 per cent of their lower explo-
sive limit; frequent tests should be made by a competent
person to ascertain the concentration;
g) suitable fire-extinguishing equipment must be immediately
available in the work area and be maintained in a state of
readiness for instant use;
h) if necessary to prevent danger, workers should wear respira-
tory protective equipment that operates independently of
the surrounding atmosphere; and
i) when paint is being applied in parts of the interior of a
vessel, no other work should be carried out in such parts,
either during that time or for a certain period afterwards,
until it is safe.
9.4.1. Spray painting
1. Spray painting should not be carried out using any toxic
material, such as lead, carbon bisulphide, carbon tetrachloride,
mercury, antimony, arsenic, arsenic compounds or methanol, or
a mixture containing more than 1 per cent of benzene, unless
the workers wear adequate airline breathing apparatus.
2. All other hazards associated with this work, such as
noise and manual handling, should be controlled.
3. Any place in which spray painting is being carried out
should be ventilated by either natural or mechanical means.
102
Workers should be so protected by adequate airline breathing

apparatus that the solvent concentration they inhale is kept
within safe limits.
4. Spray painting of internal surfaces, such as those of cis-
terns, tanks and compartments, should only be allowed when:
a) airline breathing apparatus is supplied and used, the air to Contents
be pre-warmed if necessary;
b) the workers are provided with PPE; and
c) no other work is carried out in the area.
5. A sufficient number of fire extinguishers of the foam or
another suitable type should be maintained at the place where
any material having a nitrocellulose or other flammable content
is being used.
6. No person should smoke, or have any fire, naked flame
or other source of ignition in any place in which spray painting
is being carried out, or in its vicinity.
7. All metal parts of equipment and appliances used for
spray painting, and also metal articles to be spray painted,
should be electrically bonded and earthed. The proper condi-
tion of the earthing system, conductors, earthing connections,
equipment and appliances should be verified at least once a
month.
8. Painting appliances working under pressure, such as oil
separators and oil pump tanks, should be equipped with the
necessary fittings: a valve for reducing the pressure of the air
entering the appliance and a tested and sealed pressure gauge.
The gauge dial should be marked with a red line indicating the
maximum permissible working pressure. Connections in the
air hose should be firmly secured so as to prevent them from
being impaired by the pressure of the compressed air.
103
9. Spray-gun operators should:

a) adjust the atomization pressure of the gun so as not to create
excessive mist;
b) use the gun so that neither they nor any other workers
remain between the gun and any ventilation fan;
Contents
c) not test the gun by spraying it indiscriminately; and
d) when the outside of vessels is being spray painted, pay due
regard to the direction of the wind and paint downwind.
10. Workers employed in spray painting should be provided
with:
a) overalls, head and face coverings, hearing protection, respi-
rators and gloves; and
b) a sufficient quantity of material capable of removing the
paint or spraying mixture from the hands and face.
9.4.2. Paints and tank coatings dissolved in highly volatile,
toxic and flammable solvents
1. Work involving organic coatings, adhesives and resins
dissolved in highly toxic, flammable and explosive solvents with
low flash points should only be carried out when all of the fol-
lowing special precautions have been taken:
a) sufficient exhaust ventilation is provided to keep the con-
centration of solvent vapours below 10 per cent of the lower
explosive limit. Frequent tests should be made by a compe-
tent person to ascertain the concentration;
b) if the ventilation fails, or if the concentration of solvent
vapours reaches or exceeds 10 per cent of the lower explosive
limit, painting must be stopped and the compartment evac-
uated until the concentration again falls below 10 per cent
of the lower explosive limit. If the concentration does not
104
fall when painting is stopped, additional ventilation should

be provided to bring the concentration below 10 per cent of
the lower explosive limit;
c) ventilation should be continued after the completion of
painting until the space or compartment is gas free. The
final determination as to whether the space or compartment Contents
is gas free should be made after the ventilation equipment

has been shut off for at least ten minutes;
d) exhaust ducts should discharge clear of working areas and
away from sources of possible ignition. Periodic tests should
be made to ensure that the vapours removed are not accu-
mulating in other areas within or around the vessel or
facility;
e) all motors and control equipment must be of the explo-
sion-proof type in accordance with nationally and inter-
nationally recognized instruments covering explosion
protection. All motors and associated control equipment
should be properly maintained and grounded;
f) only non-sparking paint buckets, spray guns and tools
should be used. Metal parts of paint brushes and rollers
should be insulated. Staging should be erected in a manner
which ensures that it is non-sparking;
g) only explosion-proof lights should be used;
h) a competent person should inspect all power and lighting
cables to ensure that the insulation is in excellent condition,
free of all cracks and worn spots, that there are no connec-
tions within an unsafe distance of the operation, that lines
are not overloaded, and that they are suspended with suffi-
cient slack to prevent undue stress or chafing;
i) the face, eyes, head, hands and all other exposed parts of
the bodies of operators handling highly volatile paints must
105
be protected. All footwear should be non-sparking, such as

rubbers, rubber boots or rubber-soled shoes without nails.
Coveralls or other outer clothing should be of cotton.
Rubber, rather than plastic, gloves should be used because
of the danger of static sparks;
j) no matches, lighted cigarettes, cigars or pipes, and no ciga- Contents
rette lighters or ferrous articles should be taken into the area

where work is being undertaken;
k) all solvent drums taken into the compartment should be
placed on non-ferrous surfaces and grounded to the vessel.
Metallic contact should be maintained between containers
and drums when materials are being transferred from one
to another;
l) spray guns, paint pots and metallic parts of connecting
tubing should be electrically bonded, and the bonded
assembly should be grounded to the vessel;
m) all workers continuously in a compartment in which such
painting is being undertaken must be protected by airline
respirators and suitable protective clothing, and the atmos-
phere should be monitored as set out in section 10.3;
n) workers entering such compartments for a limited time
should be protected by filter cartridge respirators; and
o) all workers engaged in exterior paint spraying with such
paints should be protected by suitable filter cartridge respi-
rators and suitable protective clothing.
9.4.3. Drying
1. Painted articles should not be dried without local
exhaust ventilation.
2. Artificial drying of painted objects should be car-
ried out in specially equipped chambers with reliable thermal
106
insulation and ventilation that prevent the formation of explo-

sive concentrations of solvent vapour.
9.4.4. Other provisions
1. Paints and other coating materials accidentally sprayed
or spilled on the floor or other surfaces should be immediately Contents
cleaned up and removed.
2. Used wiping materials and rags should be kept in metal
containers with self-closing lids. At the end of the shift, used
wiping materials should be removed from the workplace and
stored in a safe place.
3. When not in use, packages containing paints, varnishes,
lacquers and other combustible or volatile substances should be:
a) kept tightly closed; and
b) kept away from sparks, flames, sources of heat and the sun’s
rays.
4. At the close of work:
a) the remains of adhesives, lacquers, solvents, thinners and
insulating materials should be kept in closed containers; and
b) brushes, spray guns, hoses and other equipment should be
cleaned of residues of paint, lacquer and adhesive outside the
ship and be kept in a cupboard in tightly closed containers.
5. Empty containers for painting and other coating mate-
rials should be taken to a special storeplace equipped with
exhaust ventilation or to a special place set aside for the pur-
pose at an appropriate distance from the vessel. Empty con-
tainers should not be kept at the workplace.
6. Workers exposed to toxic or irritating substances
should promptly report any physical complaints to the medical
services, first-aid post or a supervisor.
107
9.5. Welding, flame-cutting and hot work

1. Common hazards associated with welding, cutting and
heating include: electric shocks, radiation, fumes (particularly
when working in confined spaces), fire, radiation, noise and
vibration.
Contents
9.5.1. General
1. No welding or steel cutting should be carried out on
board a vessel except on the orders of a competent supervisor.
2. Before any local heating, welding or flame-cutting or
other hot work is begun, it should be ascertained that the place
and the surfaces inside and outside to be treated are free from
flammable substances, including gases, coatings and materials.
3. Where reasonably practicable, the paint should be
removed over a width of at least 20 cm, that is 10 cm on each
side of the cut or seam to be made.
4. Heating of surfaces in isolated or confined spaces
should be allowed only if an exhaust ventilation system is
provided that will maintain the atmospheric concentration of
toxic gases or other toxic substances generated by the process at
a level below the relevant permissible limits and that will carry
the dangerous airborne substances to the outside air. Where
that is not practicable, the operator should be equipped with
adequate airline breathing apparatus.
5. When welding, cutting or heating is being carried out
on materials containing zinc, lead, cadmium, chromium, beryl-
lium, copper, nickel, manganese or other toxic or harmful sub-
stances, precautions should be taken to protect workers from
the fumes by the provision of an effective ventilation system
which includes:
a) clean respirable air;
108
b) cartridge respirators, depending on what the exposure risk

is;
c) effective local exhaust ventilation; or
d) airline respirators.
6. In addition: Contents
a) the fume concentration of the working environment should
be assessed; and
b) the workers should undergo special medical examinations.
7. Other workers exposed to the same atmosphere as
welders or burners should be protected in the same manner as
the welder or burner. Adequate precautions should be taken
to protect persons working or passing near welding operations
from dangerous sparks and radiation.
8. A suitable fire extinguisher should be kept ready for
immediate use at a reasonable distance from any place where
hot work is being undertaken.
9. Floors of places at which welding is being carried out
should be kept free from pools of water.
10. In no circumstances should oxygen be used to ventilate,
cool or blow dust off clothing.
11. Welders should wear suitable PPE, such as fire-resistant
gauntlets and aprons, helmets and goggles with suitable filter
lenses. Welders should wear clothing that is free from grease,
oil and other flammable material.
12. Workers engaged in the removal of excess metal or slag,
or in other similar operations, should:
a) wear gloves and goggles or a face screen;
b) chip away from the body; and
c) ensure that other persons are not struck by chips.
109
9.5.2. Welding at places with fire risks

1. As far as practicable, objects to be welded, cut by
flame or heated should be taken to a place free from fire
risks.
2. If objects cannot be taken to a safe place, all combus-
tible waste and other combustible material should be at a safe Contents
distance from welding, flame or heating.

3. If these measures cannot be adopted, precautions
should be taken to prevent the dispersion of slag, sparks and
heat and to protect combustible material in the vicinity by
effective means. The work should in all instances be authorized
by a competent person.
4. Before any welding, cutting or heating is undertaken
on any surface covered with a preservative coating of unknown
flammability, the flammability should be tested by a competent
person.
5. While surfaces that have been covered by highly flam-
mable preservative coatings are being heated, suitable fire-ex-
tinguishing equipment, such as a hose, should be kept ready for
use at the workplace.
6. If hydrocarbons exist in the welding area, positive pres-
sure should be created around the area where welding is due to
take place. Controls must be continuously kept in place during
the hot work.
9.5.3. Heating in confined spaces
1. Welding, cutting and heating operations in confined
spaces should comply with the relevant requirements of sec-
tion 7.9.
2. When sufficient ventilation cannot be obtained without
blocking the means of access, workers in the confined space
110
should be protected by airline respirators, and a person on the

outside of the confined space should be assigned to maintain
communication with those working within the space and to
aid them in an emergency.
3. Before welding, cutting or heating is commenced in
enclosed spaces on metals covered by soft and greasy preserva- Contents
tives, the following precautions should be taken:

a) the atmosphere in the space should be tested by a compe-
tent person to ensure that it does not contain explosive
vapours, as there is a possibility that some soft and greasy
preservatives may have flash points below temperatures
that may be expected to occur naturally. If the presence
of such vapours is determined, no hot work should be
commenced until precautions have been taken to ensure
that the welding, cutting or heating can be performed in
safety; and
b) the preservative coatings should be removed for a sufficient
distance from the area to be heated to ensure that the tem-
perature of the unstripped metal is not raised appreciably.
Artificial cooling of the metal surrounding the heated area
may be used to limit the size of the area that needs to be
cleaned.
4. Immediately after welding, cutting or heating is com-
menced in enclosed spaces on metal covered by soft and greasy
preservatives, and at frequent intervals thereafter, it is neces-
sary for a competent person to make tests to ensure that no
flammable vapours are being produced by the coatings. If the
presence of such vapours is determined, the operation must be
stopped immediately and not be resumed until the necessary
additional precautions have been taken to ensure that the oper-
ation can be resumed safely.
111
9.5.4. Welding on containers for explosive

or flammable substances
1. Welding or cutting operations on containers in which
there are explosive or flammable substances is not allowed.
2. Welding or cutting operations on any container that
has held explosive or flammable substances, or in which flam- Contents
mable gas may have been generated, should be undertaken only

after:
a) the container has been thoroughly cleaned by steam or other
effective means and found by air tests to be completely free
from combustible gases and vapours; or
b) an inert gas has been substituted for the air in the container.
3. If an inert gas is used for this purpose, after the con-
tainer has been filled, the gas should be allowed to continue to
flow slowly into it throughout the welding or cutting operation.
4. Before starting any welding operations on, or otherwise
applying heat to, closed or jacketed containers or other hollow
parts, such containers or parts should be adequately vented in
a suitable manner to ensure the release of any pressure built up
during the application of heat.
5. Before any welding, cutting or heating is undertaken
on hollow structures, such as skegs, bilge keels, fairwaters,
masts, booms, stanchions or railings, a competent person
should inspect the structure, and if necessary test it, for flam-
mable liquids and vapours, and certify it as safe for the work
to be done.
9.5.5. Gas welding and cutting
1. The oxygen pressure for welding should always be high
enough to prevent acetylene from flowing back into the oxygen
line.
112
2. Acetylene should not be used for welding at a pressure

exceeding 1 atm gauge.
3. At the close of work for the day and before any lengthier
interruption of work:
a) supply valves of cylinders, acetylene generators and gas
mains should be safely closed; and Contents
b) blowpipes and movable pipes or hoses for flammable or oxi-

dizing gas should be taken to the topmost completed deck
or to another safe place that is adequately ventilated and
supervised to prevent any dangerous concentration of gas
or fumes, unless adequate testing for explosive concentra-
tions of gas or oxygen is made by a competent person before
torches are relighted.
4. Cylinders used for gas welding and cutting should be
transported, moved and stored in accordance with the provi-
sions of section 14.6.
9.5.5.1. Use of fuel gas
1. The employer should thoroughly instruct workers in
the safe use of fuel gas, as follows:
a) in ships under construction, temporary piping for oxygen,
acetylene, inert gas and pressurised air should be tested by
pressure test after assembly or modification before starting
the work;
b) where gas cylinders are used, welders should not tamper
with, or attempt to repair, safety devices and valves on gas
cylinders. No damaged or defective cylinder should be used;
c) cylinders should be kept far enough away from the actual
welding or cutting operation so that sparks, hot slag or
flames do not reach them. When this is impractical, fire
resistant shields should be provided;
113
d) cylinders should be placed where they cannot become part

of an electrical circuit. Electrodes should not be struck
against a cylinder to strike an arc;
e) fuel gas cylinders should be placed with the valve end up
whenever they are in use. They must not be placed in a loca-
tion where they would be subject to open flame, hot metal Contents
or other sources of artificial heat;

f) cylinders containing oxygen or acetylene or other fuel gas
must not be taken into confined spaces;
g) cylinder valves, pressure-reducing valves and torches should
be kept free from grease, oil, dust and dirt;
h) before connecting a regulator to a cylinder valve, the valve
should be opened slightly and closed immediately. This
action is generally termed “cracking” and is intended to
clear the valve of dust or dirt that might otherwise enter
the regulator. The person cracking the valve should stand
to one side of the outlet, not in front of it. The valve of a
fuel gas cylinder should not be cracked where the gas would
reach welding work, sparks, flame or other possible sources
of ignition;
i) the cylinder valve should always be opened slowly to prevent
damage to the regulator. To permit quick closing, valves on
fuel gas cylinders should not be opened more than one-and-
a-half turns. When a special wrench is required, it should be
left in position on the stem of the valve while the cylinder
is in use so that the fuel gas flow can be shut off quickly in
case of an emergency. In the case of manifolded or coupled
cylinders, at least one such wrench should always be avail-
able for immediate use. Nothing should be placed on top
of a fuel gas cylinder, when in use, which may damage the
safety device or interfere with the quick closing of the valve;
114
j) fuel gas should not be used from cylinders through torches

or other devices that are equipped with shut-off valves
without reducing the pressure through a suitable regulator
attached to the cylinder valve or manifold;
k) when acetylene cylinders are coupled, flash arrestors should
be installed between each cylinder and the coupler block, Contents
or between the coupler block and the regulator. Only acet-

ylene cylinders of approximately equal pressure should be
coupled;
l) before a regulator is removed from a cylinder valve, the
cylinder valve should always be closed and the gas released
from the regulator;
m) if, when the valve on a fuel gas cylinder is opened, there is
found to be a leak around the valve stem, the valve must be
closed and the gland nut tightened. If this action does not
stop the leak, it is necessary to discontinue the use of the
cylinder, which should be properly tagged and removed. In
the event that fuel gas leaks from the cylinder valve rather
than from the valve stem and the gas cannot be shut off,
the cylinder should be properly tagged and removed. If a
regulator attached to a cylinder valve will effectively stop
a leak through the valve seat, the cylinder need not be
removed;
n) if a leak develops at a fuse plug or other safety device, the
cylinder must be removed; and
o) cylinders found to have leaks that cannot be stopped by
closing the valve should be taken into the open away from
any source of heat and slowly drained of gas.
9.5.5.2. Manifolds
1. Manifolds should be clearly marked to show the sub-
stance that they contain.
115
2. Manifolds should be placed only in safe and accessible

positions in the open air. Manifold hose connections, including
inlet and outlet connections, should be such that the hose
cannot be interchanged between fuel gas and oxygen manifolds
and headers. Adaptors should not be used to permit the inter-
change of hose. Connections should be kept free from grease Contents
and oil.
3. When not in use, manifold and header hose connec-
tions should be capped.
4. Nothing should be placed on a manifold that might
damage it or impede the quick closing of the valves.
9.5.5.3. Hose
1. Only hose specially designed for welding and cutting
operations should be used to connect an oxyacetylene torch to
gas outlets.
2. All hose carrying acetylene, oxygen, natural or man-
ufactured fuel gas, or any gas or substance that may ignite or
enter into combustion or be in any way harmful to workers,
should be inspected at the beginning of each shift. Defective
hose should be removed from service.
3. An efficient back pressure valve and flame arrestor
should be provided in the acetylene supply line between each
burner or blowpipe and the source of supply as near as practi-
cable to the burner or blowpipe.
4. Hose lines for oxygen and for acetylene should be of
different colours, or otherwise equally clearly and appropri-
ately identified. Oxygen and fuel gas hoses should not be
interchangeable.
5. Hose connections should be sufficiently tight to with-
stand without leakage twice the maximum delivery pressure
of the pressure regulators in the system. They should be of the
116
type that cannot be unlocked or disconnected by means of a

straight pull without rotary motion.
6. Care should be taken to ensure that hoses are always
laid in good order so as not to become kinked or tangled,
stepped on, run over or otherwise damaged. Hoses laid in pas-
sageways should be completely protected with covers. Hangers Contents
should be provided to hang the hoses.

7. Hose which has been subjected to flashback or which
shows evidence of severe wear or damage should be tested to
twice the normal pressure to which it is subject, but in no case
less than 13.6 atm. Defective hose or hose in doubtful condi-
tion should not be used.
8. No hose with more than one gas passage should be
used.
9. Compressed air should not be used to clean any hose
that may contain oil residues from the compressor. An inert gas
may be used for this purpose.
10. Open-end fuel-gas and oxygen hoses should be removed
from confined spaces as soon as they are disconnected from the
torch. The connections between hose and torch and between
hoses should be securely fixed with metal fittings, such as hose
bands. Valves or cocks at the gas and oxygen inlet of hoses
should have identification numbers of users.
11. All hoses should be inspected at least every four months
by competent persons. Any repair should be carried out by a
competent person.
9.5.5.4. Torches
1. Torches should be inspected at the beginning of each
shift for leaking shut-off valves, hose couplings and tip connec-
tions. Defective torches should not be used.
117
2. Clogged torch-tip openings should be cleaned with

suitable cleaning wires, drills or other devices designed for that
purpose.
3. When torches are being changed, the gases should
be shut off at the pressure-reducing regulators, and not by
crimping the hose. Contents
4. Torches should be lit with friction lighters, stationary

pilot flames or by other safe means. They should not be lit with
matches or from hot work.
5. The operating valves of torches should be so constructed
or protected that they cannot be opened accidentally.
6. All torches should be inspected at least every four
months by competent persons. Any repair should be carried
out by a competent person.
9.5.6. Electric arc welding
1. A welding machine should be controlled by a switch
mounted on or near the machine framework. When opened,
the switch should immediately cut off the power from all con-
ductors supplying the machine.
2. Welding circuits should be supplied only through gener-
ating or converting equipment or a double-wound transformer.
The maximum open-circuit no-load voltage should be in accord-
ance with nationally and internationally recognized instruments.
9.5.6.1. Manual electrode holders
1. Only manual electrode holders should be used that are
specifically designed for arc welding and cutting and are of a
capacity capable of safely handling the maximum rated current
required by the electrodes.
2. Any current carrying parts passing through the portion
of the holder that arc welders or cutters grip in their hands,
118
and the outer surfaces of the jaws of the holder, should be fully
insulated against the maximum voltage encountered to ground.
9.5.6.2. Welding cables and connectors
1. All arc welding and cutting cables must be completely
insulated, flexible and capable of handling the maximum cur-
rent requirements of the work in progress, taking into account Contents
the duty cycle under which the arc welders or cutters are
working.
2. Only cable free from repair or splices for a minimum
distance of 3 m from the cable end to which the electrode
holder is connected should be used, although cables with
standard insulated connectors or with splices whose insulating
quality is equal to that of the cable may be permitted.
3. When it becomes necessary to connect or splice lengths
of cable, substantial insulated connectors of a capacity at least
equivalent to that of the cable should be used. If connections
are effected by means of cable lugs, they should be securely fas-
tened together to give good electrical contact, and the exposed
metal parts of the lugs should be completely insulated.
4. Cables in poor repair should not be used. When a cable
becomes worn to the extent of exposing bare conductors, the
portion thus exposed should be protected by means of rubber
and friction tapes or other equivalent insulation.
9.5.6.3. Ground returns and machine grounding
1. Ground return cables should have a safe current car-
rying capacity equal to or exceeding the specified maximum
output capacity of the arc welding or cutting unit that they
service. When a single ground return cable services more than
one unit, its safe current carrying capacity should be equal to,
or exceed, the total specified maximum output capacities of all
the units that it services.
119
2. Structures or pipelines, except pipelines containing

gases of flammable liquids or conduits containing electrical cir-
cuits, may be used as part of the ground return circuit.
3. When a structure or pipeline is employed as a ground
return circuit, it should be determined that the required elec-
trical contact exists at all joints. The generation of an arc, sparks Contents
or heat at any point should cause rejection of the structure as a

ground circuit.
4. When a structure or pipeline is continuously employed
as a ground return circuit, all joints should be bonded and peri-
odic inspections conducted to ensure that no condition of elec-
trolysis or fire hazard exists by virtue of such use.
5. The frames of all arc welding and cutting machines
should be grounded, either through a third wire in the cable
containing the circuit conductor, or through a separate wire
grounded at the source of the current. Grounding circuits, other
than by means of the vessel’s structure, should be checked to
ensure that the circuit between the ground and the grounded
power conductor has resistance low enough to permit sufficient
current to flow to cause the fuse or circuit breaker to interrupt
the current.
6. All ground connections should be inspected to ensure
that they are mechanically strong and electrically adequate for
the required current.
9.5.6.4. Operations
1. When arc welding is carried out in damp or otherwise
conductive confined spaces:
a) the electrode holders should be completely insulated; and
b) the welding machine should be either outside the confined
space, or equipped with a voltage-reducing device in the case
of arc welding with alternating current.
120
2. Adequate precautions should be taken to prevent:

a) damage to fibre ropes from heat, sparks, slag or hot metal;
b) fires started by sparks, slag or hot metal; and
c) penetration into the working area of flammable vapours and
substances. Contents
3. Electric arc welders should not stand on wet ground or

have wet hands or gloves.
4. Welders should take adequate precautions to prevent:
a) any part of their body from completing an electric circuit;
b) any part of their body coming into contact with the exposed
part of the electrode or electrode holder when they are in
contact with metal; and
c) wet or damaged clothing, gloves and boots from touching
any live part.
5. Hot electrode holders should not be dipped in water, as
doing so may expose the arc welder or cutter to electric shock.
Live parts of electrode holders that are not in use should not be
allowed to come into contact with metallic objects.
6. Welding circuits should have identification numbers
of users when in use, and should be switched off when not in
use.
7. When electrode holders are to be left unattended, the
electrodes should be removed and the holders so placed or pro-
tected that they cannot make electrical contact with workers or
conducting objects.
8. When inserting electrodes in the holder, a means of
insulation, such as insulating gloves, should always be used.
9. Electrode and return leads should be adequately pro-
tected against damage.
121
10. Whenever necessary, electrode stubs should be depos-

ited in a fire-resistant container.
11. Electric arc welding equipment should not be left unat-
tended with the current switched on.
12. Any faulty or defective equipment should be reported
to the supervisor. Contents
9.5.7. Gas metal arc welding

1. Since the inert-gas metal-arc welding process involves
the production of ultraviolet radiation of intensities of five to
30 times that produced during shielded metal-arc welding, the
decomposition of chlorinated solvents by ultraviolet rays, and
the liberation of toxic fumes and gases, workers should not be
permitted to engage in, or be exposed to the process until the
following special precautions have been taken:
a) the use of chlorinated solvents should be kept at least 60
m from the exposed arc, and surfaces prepared with chlo-
rinated solvents should be thoroughly dry before welding is
permitted on such surfaces;
b) other workers in the area who are not protected from the
arc by screening should be protected by appropriate filter
lenses. When two or more welders are exposed to each oth-
er’s arc, filter lens goggles of a suitable type should be worn
under welding helmets or hand shields to protect the welder
against flashes and radiant energy when either the helmet is
lifted or the shield is removed;
c) welders and other workers who are exposed to radiation
should be suitably protected so that the skin is covered com-
pletely to prevent burns and other damage by ultraviolet
rays. Welding helmets and hand shields should be free of
leaks and openings, and free of highly reflective surfaces;
122
d) when inert-gas metal-arc welding is performed on stainless

steel, measures should be taken to protect against dangerous
concentrations of chromium, nitrogen dioxide and inert
gases; and
e) when inert-gas metal-arc welding is performed on alu-
minium, measures should be taken to protect against dan- Contents
gerous concentrations of ozone and inert gasses.

2. Safe working procedures for workers using inert gas in
confined spaces should be implemented to prevent suffocation
through:
a) ensuring a safe way of connecting gas hoses;
b) applying permit-to-work system in accordance with section
8.3 of this code; and
c) ensuring sufficient ventilation or providing airline respi-
rators.
9.5.8. Protective clothing and equipment
1. Welders should be supplied with and wear garments of
leather or equivalent material, and should avoid wearing highly
flammable clothing, such as untreated cotton or greasy gar-
ments. Protective clothing should cover as much of the skin as
practicable.
2. When welding, welders should be protected by a
welding helmet, face shield or hand shield made of heat-re-
sisting and electrically insulating material and fitted with a
window that filters infrared and ultraviolet radiation, as well as
visible radiations.
3. Where persons other than the welders are likely to
be exposed to harmful radiations or sparks from electric arc
welding, they should be protected by non-combustible or
flame-proof screens or other effective means.
123
4. Workers, such as crane drivers, who cannot be pro-

tected from radiations by screens, should wear suitable tinted
goggles.
5. Welders should be protected by gloves, sleeves, aprons,
leggings and spats against burns from metal splashes and elec-
trode stubs. Contents
6. Workers using pneumatic hammers or chisels to remove

slag from welds should wear suitable goggles.
9.6. Installation or repair of boilers, piping
and ship machinery
9.6.1. Boilers
1. Boilers should comply with national laws and regula-
tions, or other nationally and internationally recognized instru-
ments as regards materials, design, construction, inspection and
testing. Only competent persons should operate boilers. Boiler
operators and attendants should be trained and certified.
2. The space around a boiler should be kept clear of
obstructions and rubbish. Safety valves should operate freely at
all times.
3. Boilers should be blown off into a sump or pit, or other
effective precautions should be taken to avoid scalding persons.
4. Every boiler, whether separate or part of a range, should
be provided with:
a) a suitable safety valve;
b) a suitable steam gauge and a suitable water gauge to show
respectively the pressure of steam and the height of the
water in that boiler; and
c) an effective guard or other protection for the gauges pro-
vided on each boiler.
124
5. The maximum pressure at which steam should be gen-

erated, and the blow-off pressure should be marked on each
steam gauge, and each boiler attendant should be made familiar
with this arrangement.
6. All working parts of steam boilers such as valves, cocks,
injectors and pumps should be frequently inspected by the oper- Contents
ator. Each boiler attendant should receive adequate instruction

and training for the duties they have to perform.
7. Boilers should be repaired only by competent persons,
after all pressure and heat has been removed.
8. Before work is performed in the fire, steam, or water
spaces of a boiler where workers may be subject to injury from
the direct escape of a high-temperature medium such as steam,
or water, oil, or other medium at a high temperature entering
from an interconnecting system, the employer should ensure
that the following steps are taken:
a) the isolation and shut-off valves connecting the dead boiler
with the live system or systems should be secured, blanked, and
then locked and tagged to indicate that workers are working
on the boiler. This lock and tag and blank of the valves should
only be removed by those persons who installed them or by
authorized personnel only after it is verified that this may be
done without creating a hazard to the workers. When valves
are welded instead of bolted, at least two isolation and shut-off
valves connecting the dead boiler with the live system or sys-
tems should be secured, and then locked and tagged;
b) drain connections to atmosphere on all of the dead inter-
connecting systems should be opened for visual observation
of drainage; and
c) a warning sign calling attention to the fact that workers
are working in the boilers should be hung in a conspicuous
125
location in the engine room. This sign should not be

removed until it is determined that the work is completed
and all workers are out of the boilers.
9.6.2. Piping
1. Before work is performed on a valve, fitting, or section Contents
of piping in a piping system where workers may be subject to
injury from the direct escape of steam, or water, oil, or other
medium at a high temperature, the employer should ensure
a) the isolation and shut-off valves connecting the dead system
with the live system or systems should be secured, blanked,
and then locked and tagged, indicating that workers are
working on the systems. The lock and tag and blank of
the valves should only be removed by those persons who
installed them or by authorized personnel only after it is
verified that this may be done without creating a hazard to
the workers. When valves are welded instead of bolted, at
least two isolation and shut-off valves connecting the dead
system with the live system or systems should be secured,
and then locked and tagged; and
b) drain connections to the atmosphere on all of the dead
interconnecting systems should be opened for visual obser-
vation of drainage.
2. If a steam hose from a steam source outside the vessel
is connected to the vessel’s steam piping, the employer should
ensure that the vessel’s steam piping system, including hoses,
is designed to safely handle the working pressure prior to sup-
plying steam from an outside source. The employer should
obtain a written or oral determination from a responsible
vessel’s representative, a contractor, or any other person who
is qualified by training, knowledge, or experience to make
126
such determination that the working pressure of the vessel’s

steam piping system is safe. The employer should ensure that
each outside steam supply connected to a vessel’s steam piping
system meets the following requirements:
a) a pressure gauge and a relief valve are installed at the point
where the temporary steam hose joins the vessel’s steam Contents
piping system;
b) each relief valve is set to relieve excess steam at, and is
capable of relieving steam at, a pressure that does not
exceed the safe working pressure of the system in its
present condition;
c) there are no means of inadvertently disconnecting any relief
valve from the system that it protects;
d) each pressure gauge and relief valve is legible and located so
it is visible and readily accessible; and
e) each relief valve is positioned so it is not likely to cause
injury if steam is released.
3. Steam hose and piping should be shielded or insulated
if necessary to prevent accidental contact with workers.
4. When pressure testing a vessel’s piping system, the pipes
concerned should be clearly marked. Valves should be closed
and locked or tagged, indicating that workers are working on
the systems. The testing should be carried out by a competent
person.
9.6.3. Propulsion machinery
1. Before work is performed on the main engine, reduc-
tion gear, or connecting accessories, the employer should ensure
a) the jacking gear should be engaged to prevent the main
engine from turning over. A sign should be posted at the
127
throttle indicating that the jacking gear is engaged. This

sign should not be removed until the jacking gear can be
safely disengaged;
b) if the jacking gear is steam driven, the employer should
ensure that the stop valves to the jacking gear are secured,
and then locked and tagged; and Contents
c) if the jacking gear is electrically driven, the circuit con-

trolling the jacking gear should be de-energized by tripping
the circuit breaker, opening the switch, or removing the
fuse, whichever is appropriate, and then locked and tagged.
2. Locks and tags indicated in subparagraphs (b) and (c)
above should only be removed by those persons who installed
them or by authorized personnel only after it is verified that
this may be done without creating a hazard to the workers.
3. Before the jacking engine is operated, the following
precautions should be taken:
a) a check should be made to ensure that all workers, equip-
ment, and tools are clear of the engine, reduction gear, and
its connecting accessories;
b) a check should be made to ensure that all workers, equip-
ment and tools are free of the propeller;
c) before work is started on, or in the immediate vicinity of,
the propeller, a warning sign calling attention to the fact
that workers are working in that area should be hung in a
conspicuous location in the engine room. This sign should
not be removed until it is determined that the work is com-
pleted and all workers are free of the propeller; and
d) before the main engine is turned over (for example, when
warming up before departure or testing after an overhaul)
a check should be made to ensure that all workers, equip-
ment, and tools are free of the propeller.
128
9.6.4. Deck machinery

1. Before work is performed on the anchor windlass or
any of its attached accessories, the employer should ensure that
the following steps are taken:
a) the devil claws (also known as chain stoppers) should be
made fast to the anchor chains; Contents
b) the riding pawls should be in the engaged position; and

c) in the absence of devil claws and riding pawls, the anchor
chains should be secured to a suitable fixed structure of the
vessel.
129
10. Hazardous substances

1. As a basis for eliminating or controlling exposure to Contents
hazardous substances (including dusts, fumes and gases), the

provisions of the ILO code of practice on ambient factors in
the workplace (2001) should be consulted. Where workers are
exposed to hazardous chemicals, the provisions of the ILO
code of practice on safety in the use of chemicals at work
(1993), the Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139),
and Occupational Cancer Recommendation, 1974 (No. 147),
should apply.
2. The competent authority should ensure that criteria
are established governing the measures to be adopted for safety
and health, in particular in respect of:
a) the handling, storage and transport of hazardous substances;
and
b) the disposal and treatment of hazardous chemicals and haz-
ardous waste products, consistent with national laws and
regulations, or other nationally and internationally recog-
nized instruments.
3. The employer should prepare, if not already available,
an inventory of hazardous substances involved in shipbuilding
or ship repair, and require from contractors and subcontractors
an inventory of hazardous substances used in their project. This
list should highlight those substances which are mutagens, car-
cinogens and reproductive toxins.
4. In the case of ship repair, the employer should ensure
that each ship for repair is in a safe condition, has the necessary
131
certifications and licences, and meets the conditions for repair

in accordance with nationally and internationally recognized
instruments, and particularly that:
a) hazardous substances have been removed and recycled in an
environmentally sustainable manner;
b) the ship and its tanks are gas free; and Contents
c) the ship has an asbestos register to ensure that the ship

repair facility can take preventative measures.
5. In the case of ship repair, the employer should also
require or prepare, if not already available, an inventory of
hazardous substances on the ship. The inventory should be
used especially for identifying hazardous substances present
that are listed in Appendices 1 and 2 of the IMO Hong Kong
International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally
Sound Recycling of Ships, 2009, on board ships and their loca-
tions and quantities, if applicable.
6. As prescribed by national laws and regulations,
employers should ensure that workers are not exposed to haz-
ardous substances to an extent that exceeds exposure limits
or other exposure criteria for the evaluation and control of
the working environment. They should identify whether haz-
ardous substances are present in the workplace and monitor
and record the exposure of workers to ensure their safety and
health. Based on the monitoring data, employers should assess
the exposure of workers to hazardous substances.
7. Employers should ensure that all chemicals handled,
stored and transported or otherwise used are marked, giving
their relevant characteristics and instructions on their use, in
accordance with the provisions of:
a) the ILO code of practice on safety in the use of chemicals at
work (1993); and
132
b) the chemical safety data sheets provided by the supplier.

8. Chemicals which have not been marked or are not pro-
vided with chemical safety data sheets should not be handled
and stored until similar relevant information has been obtained
by the employer and has been made available to workers and
their representatives. Contents
9. Where necessary in order to minimize the risk to

workers, written instructions should be prepared specifying the
correct procedure to be observed in these circumstances. The
necessary steps should also be taken to inform all workers of
possible hazards and the precautions to be taken when haz-
ardous substances are likely to be encountered at the workplace,
including evacuation procedures.
10.2. Assessment
1. Based on the inventory of hazardous substances, the
workplace should regularly be inspected and information
obtained on:
a) hazardous substances that are present or likely to occur,
along with other hazardous ambient factors; and
b) hazardous activities and processes.
2. In the case of identified chemicals, the employer should
obtain information on the intrinsic hazards of the substances or
products according to the physical state (for example solid, liquid,
gas) in which they are provided by suppliers and the inventory
of hazardous materials, if available. Where this is not practicable,
employers should obtain information provided by other bodies
such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC),
the World Health Organization (WHO), the International
Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS), the European Union
and other competent international and national institutions.
133
3. Where the expected risk is from exposure to min-

eral or synthetic fibres, mineral dusts and vegetable dusts,
employers should consider, in particular, the provisions in
the Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), and the Asbestos
Recommendation, 1986 (No. 172), the ILO codes of practice
on occupational exposure to airborne substances harmful to Contents
health (1980), safety in the use of asbestos (1984), and safety in

the use of synthetic vitreous fibre insulation wools (glass wool,
rock wool, slag wool) (2001); and the ILO guide on Dust con-
trol in the working environment (silicosis) (Occupational Safety
and Health Series No. 36, 1977).
4. When obtaining information for assessment, employers
should take account of specific work situations where workers
are likely to be exposed, for example, to:
a) hazardous fumes as by-products (for example welding);
b) hazardous substances and oxygen deficiency in confined
spaces;
c) prolonged periods (such as during overtime) with the risk of
accumulation of higher doses;
d) higher concentrations due to fluctuations in ambient condi-
tions (for example hot environments where vapour pressures
of hazardous substances may be elevated);
e) absorption through multiple routes (inhalation, ingestion,
absorption through the skin); and
f) hazardous substances that may be present even in concentra-
tions below exposure limits while performing arduous tasks.
5. In the situations listed in the paragraph above, the expo-
sure limits specified by the competent authority for normal work
situations would in some cases not reflect the workers’ exposures.
Employers should accordingly obtain practical information from
134
the competent authority, international organizations and institu-

tions (ILO, WHO, IPCS) or other bodies.
6. As the second stage of the assessment, the employer
should use the information obtained to assess the risk to health
resulting from exposure, especially from the effects of chemical
mixtures, and should also take account of: Contents
a) routes of entry (skin, inhalation, ingestion);

b) the risk of penetration through damaged skin or seepage
through PPE;
c) the risk of ingestion;
d) levels of airborne concentrations of hazardous substances;
e) the rate at which work is performed (for example arduous
tasks);
f) the length of exposure (for example higher exposures
resulting from prolonged overtime); and
g) the influence of other ambient factors (for example heat) in
enhancing the risk of exposure.
7. As the third stage of the assessment, the need for a pro-
gramme for the measurement of airborne contaminants (moni-
toring) should be determined. Such a programme is required to:
a) determine the extent of exposure of workers; and
b) check the effectiveness of engineering control measures.
10.3. Monitoring for chemical hazards in the workplace
10.3.1. General principles
1. Measurements of airborne contaminants (monitoring)
in the workplace are necessary if other techniques do not suffice
to provide a valid estimate of the risk of exposure and to assess
the existing control measures. They should be undertaken in
135
accordance with Chapter 12 of the ILO code of practice on

safety in the use of chemicals at work (1993).
2. Techniques for this risk assessment may include the
following:
a) information on the intrinsic health and physical hazards,
obtained from the ship’s inventory of hazardous substances Contents
and chemical safety data sheets which correspond to the

requirements established in Chapter 5 of the ILO code of
practice on safety in the use of chemicals at work (1993),
in particular the International Chemical Safety Cards pro-
vided by the IPCS;
b) estimation of exposure based on the method of work and
work pattern;
c) experience of exposure in the workplace or that of other
users; and
d) simple qualitative tests, such as the use of smoke tubes or
pellets to determine ventilation characteristics, and dust
lamps for illuminating dust emissions.
10.3.2. Measuring methods
1. Sampling equipment should be compatible with the ana-
lytical methods available and should have been validated over a
suitable range of concentrations above and below the exposure
limits or other exposure criteria, in accordance with nationally
and internationally recognized instruments, where they exist.
2. Static monitoring should be used to determine the
distribution of an airborne chemical throughout the general
atmosphere of the working area and to identify problems and
priorities.
3. Personal monitoring and area monitoring should be used
to evaluate the risk of exposure to the individual worker. Air
136
samples for personal monitoring should be collected in the work-

er’s breathing zone by means of personal samplers. Sampling
should be carried out while the work activity is being undertaken.
4. Where concentrations vary from one work operation or
phase to another, personal sampling should be done in such a
manner that the average, and in any case the maximum level of Contents
exposure of each individual worker can be determined.

5. Personal sampling should measure exposure, or allow
assessment of exposure, throughout the work shift. The expo-
sure should be compared to occupational exposure limit
values, which are usually quoted for an eight-hour period or,
for short-term limits, 15 minutes. The measurement may be
continuous over the whole shift or intermittent, so long as
this allows a valid calculation of the average exposure and,
where necessary, is supplemented by short-term sampling
during periods of peak emission.
6. Exposure profiles of particular jobs or occupational cat-
egories (such as gas cutters, removers of asbestos, polychlorin-
ated biphenyl, paint, etc.) should be constructed from the air
sampling data for different operations and from the workers’
exposure time in these jobs.
10.3.3. Monitoring strategy
1. A systematic measurement programme should evaluate
whether the exposure of workers to certain hazardous chem-
icals prescribed by the competent authority or determined by
the initial assessment is being kept under control.
2. The aims of this programme should be to:
a) ensure that the health of the workers is efficiently protected;
b) ensure that the preventive actions which have been taken
are still effective;
137
c) ensure that the levels, as measured previously, remain

unchanged or fall;
d) ensure that any changes made in recycling processes or work
practices will not lead to excessive exposure to hazardous
chemicals; and
e) promote the implementation of more efficient preventive Contents
measures.
3. The monitoring of airborne contaminants should be
performed using adequate equipment and only by competent
persons.
4. The employer should arrange for regular inspection,
maintenance and proper calibration of monitoring equipment.
10.3.4. Record keeping
1. Employers should keep dated records of measurements
of airborne contaminants:
a) by technique and type (for example static, personal),
including data on plant location, work area, work processes,
nature of hazardous substances, names and lists of exposed
workers, their sex, and control measures in place; and
b) for a period of time, as determined by the competent
authority.
2. Workers and their representatives, and the competent
authority, should have access to these records.
3. In addition to the numerical results of measurements,
the monitoring data should include, for example:
a) the marking of the hazardous chemical;
b) the location, nature, dimensions and other distinctive fea-
tures of the workplace, and the names, sex and job titles of
the workers involved;
138
c) the source or sources of airborne emissions, their location

and the type of work and operations being performed
during sampling;
d) relevant information on the work process, engineering and
personal protection means, and weather conditions with
respect to the emissions; Contents
e) the sampling instrument used, its accessories and the

method of analysis;
f) the date and exact time of sampling;
g) the duration of the workers’ exposure, the use or non-use of
respiratory protection, and other comments relating to the
exposure evaluation; and
h) the names of the persons responsible for the sampling and
for the analytical determinations.
10.3.5. Interpretation and application of monitoring data
1. The risk of exposure should be assessed on the basis of
the numerical results obtained, supported and interpreted in
the light of other information, such as length of exposure, work
procedures and patterns, measurements of air circulation and
other particular circumstances of work during measurement.
2. In the event that monitoring discloses levels that are
in excess of the exposure limits, employers should inform the
workers and their representatives, in a manner which is easily
understood by the workers, of the risk and of the action to
be taken to reduce this as part of the prevention and control
action programme.
10.4. Control measures
1. For any situation or operation involving a risk of occu-
pational exposure to airborne asbestos dust in the repair or
139
removal of structures containing asbestos materials and in

the handling, transportation and storage of asbestos or asbes-
tos-containing materials, the provisions of the ILO code of
practice on Safety in the use of asbestos (1984), the WHO–
ILO joint publication Outline for the Development of National
Programmes for Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases and Contents
the ILO resolution concerning asbestos (2006), should apply.

No new asbestos product should be used in shipbuilding, ship
conversion or ship repair.
2. Appropriate preventive and protective measures should
be taken in relation to the following most common hazardous
activities involving chemical substances:
a) asbestos removal and disposal;
b) disposal of polychlorinated biphenyl;
c) bilge and ballast water removal;
d) oil and fuel removal;
e) paint removal and disposal;
f) metal cutting and metal disposal; and
g) removal and disposal of miscellaneous ship machinery.
3. In accordance with the provisions of sections 6.5–6.9
of the ILO code of practice on safety in the use of chemicals
at work (1993), specific control measures should be carried out
for:
a) chemicals hazardous to health;
b) flammable, dangerously reactive or explosive chemicals;
c) the storage of hazardous chemicals;
d) the transport of chemicals; and
e) the disposal and treatment of chemicals;
4. The employer should:
140
a) inform each worker who could be exposed to dangerous

substances about the hazards related to the chemicals, and
other on-site employers whose workers could be exposed,
about chemical hazards and appropriate protective
measures;
b) ensure workers and/or trained first-aid personnel are aware Contents
of emergency procedures related to exposure to hazardous

chemicals; and
c) provide workers with the necessary training and protec-
tion to prevent exposure to hazards, including protective
clothing that is adaptable for both women and men.
5. Each employer should:
a) develop and implement a written hazard communication
programme;
b) maintain it for as long as a hazardous chemical is known to
be at the shipbuilding and ship repair facility; and
c) share relevant information with other on-site employers
whose workers could be affected.
6. The employer should ensure:
a) proper storage of chemicals by:
i) storing separately chemicals which react with one
another;
ii) minimizing volumes of stored chemicals;
iii) providing for containment of spills; and
iv) ventilating storage areas;
b) that, where hazardous chemicals are used, handled or stored,
measures are in place to minimize workers’ exposure (for
example, ventilated fume hoods, remote handling), with
reasonable accommodation for pregnant workers;
141
c) that, where necessary, appropriate PPE that is adaptable for

use by both women and men is provided and workers are
trained in its correct use, and it is used properly;
d) that emergency showers and eyewash stations are available
where hazardous chemicals are used and/or stored;
e) the cleaning of work clothes that have been polluted by Contents
chemicals (if reusable) or their disposal; and

f) the provision of appropriate hygienic conditions and facil-
ities (for washing) in places where food or tobacco are
consumed.
10.5. Chemical safety data sheets
1. Chemical safety data sheets (also called “material safety
data sheets” or “safety data sheets” in some countries) should
be obtained and made available for each of the hazardous
substances identified. The Globally Harmonized System of
Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) (sixth revised
edition, United Nations, 2015) provides guidance on the prepa-
ration of labels, safety data sheets and the provision of informa-
tion to workers.
2. In accordance with the requirements of Chapter 5 of
the ILO code of practice on safety in the use of chemicals at
work (1993), safety data sheets for hazardous chemicals should
be provided by the supplier. The production of safety data sheets
in electronic format should be encouraged. Safety data sheets
should, as a minimum, meet the requirements of the competent
authority and should contain the following core information:
a) identification of manufacturer, product and ingredients;
b) physical and chemical properties, and information on the
health effects, physical hazards, environmental impact and
relevant exposure limits; and
142
c) recommendations concerning safe work practices; transport,

storage and handling; waste disposal; protective clothing
and PPE; first aid, firefighting and chemical spills.
3. Labels should, as a minimum, meet the requirements of
the competent authority, and should contain the following core
information: Contents
a) signal word or symbol; identification information, including

the manufacturer, product and ingredients;
b) risks and safety phrases, first-aid and disposal procedures; and
c) reference to the chemical safety data sheets, and date of
issue.
4. The International Chemical Safety Cards of the IPCS,
available on the Internet, should serve as the international
model and reference.
5. Employers should ensure that the safety data sheet is
displayed in print or digitally on site and easily available to
workers in appropriate languages. Workers should be informed
of the hazards that they may be exposed to, how to pro-
tect themselves from that hazard, and what to do if they are
exposed.
10.6. Health surveillance
1. The provisions of Appendix I of these guidelines con-
cerning workers’ health surveillance, the use of the results of
health surveillance and record keeping, should apply.
2. Exposure to the following types of hazardous sub-
stances may require appropriate health surveillance:
a) substances (dusts, fibres, solids, liquids, fumes, gases) that
have a recognized systemic toxicity (that is, an insidious poi-
sonous effect);
143
b) substances known to cause chronic effects;

c) substances known to be sensitizers, irritants or allergens;
d) substances that are known or suspected carcinogens, terato-
gens, mutagens or harmful to reproductive health; and
e) other substances likely to have adverse health effects under Contents
particular work conditions or in case of fluctuations in
ambient conditions.
3. In the case of exposure of workers to specific hazards,
health surveillance should include biological monitoring for
the early detection of the effects on health when:
a) a valid and generally accepted reference method exists;
b) it may be used to identify workers who need detailed med-
ical examination (subject to the individual worker’s con-
sent); or
c) it may be necessary to detect exposure levels and early bio-
logical effects and responses.
144
11. Physical hazards

1. For eliminating or controlling exposure to physical Contents
hazards, the provisions of the ILO code of practice on ambient

factors in the workplace (2001), should be consulted.
11.2. Slips and trips
1. Slips and trips are the most common type of hazards in
shipbuilding and ship repair.
2. Injuries (for example strains, sprains, bruises to joints
and muscles, ligaments, tendons and bones) often occur because
of poor initial design and maintenance. These include missing
walkways, materials left in walking aisles, deterioration of steps
and stairs, unprotected openings, poorly maintained ladders
and walking surfaces rendered slippery by:
a) wet or oily surfaces;
b) occasional spills;
c) weather hazards;
d) loose covers of decks or floors; or
e) low friction of wet or steel decks.
3. Inadequate lighting, poor visibility, waste, uncovered
electrical cables or air and gas hoses, and uneven walking sur-
faces can also be significant factors. The risk of accidents is
increased when workers carry objects that block their view or
are too heavy or awkward.
4. Employers should assess the risk of slips and trips, espe-
cially during maintenance, when the risk can be higher.
145
5. Slipping should be prevented, for example by placing

rubber mats on decks and on travel lines for pedestrians in
front of ships, particularly in wet or icy conditions.
6. Tripping should be prevented through the use of hand-
rails and of battery-operated power tools to minimize the need
for electric cables. Walkways and floors should be kept clean Contents
and free from tools, including:

a) additional tools, material and equipment that are not neces-
sary to perform the job in progress;
b) debris, including solid and liquid wastes at the end of each
work shift or job; and
c) all cables and hoses crossing walkways.
11.3. Noise
1. The competent authority should set standards for the
maximum noise dose considered acceptable to prevent hearing
impairment in the working environment on a daily basis and
for the maximum peak noise level.
2. When monitoring areas of high noise exposure, the
employer should, as appropriate, consider the:
a) risk of hearing impairment;
b) degree of interference to communication essential for safety
purposes; and
c) risk of fatigue, with due consideration of the mental and
physical workload and other non-auditory hazards or
effects.
3. In order to prevent adverse effects of noise on workers,
employers should:
a) identify the sources of noise and the tasks that give rise to
exposure to noise;
146
b) seek the advice of the competent authority and/or the occu-

pational health service about exposure limit standards and
other nationally and internationally recognized instruments
to be applied;
c) seek the advice of the suppliers of processes and equip-
ment used in shipbuilding and ship repair facilities about Contents
expected noise emission; and

d) if this advice is incomplete or in doubt, arrange for measure-
ments by competent professionals in accordance with cur-
rent nationally and internationally recognized instruments.
4. Noise measurements should be used to:
a) quantify the level and duration of the exposure of workers
and compare it with exposure limits, as established by
the competent authority or internationally recognized
instruments;
b) identify and characterize the sources of noise and exposed
workers;
c) create a noise map for the determination of risk areas;
d) assess the need both for engineering noise prevention and
control and for other appropriate measures and their effec-
tive implementation; and
e) evaluate the effectiveness of existing noise prevention and
control measures.
5. Based on the assessment of the exposure to noise in the
working environment, the employer should establish a noise pre-
vention programme with the aim of eliminating the hazard or
risk, or reducing it to the lowest practicable level by all appro-
priate means. The employer should review the effectiveness of
any engineering and administrative controls to identify and
correct any deficiencies. If a worker’s noise exposure exceeds the
147
permissible level, the employer should use all feasible engineering

and administrative controls to reduce the worker’s noise expo-
sure to the permissible exposure level, and enrol the worker in a
hearing conservation programme that would include:
a) audiometric testing;
b) training and education on hearing loss; Contents
c) provision of effective hearing protection;

d) additional noise measurements to determine continued
exposure; and
e) continued examination of methods and controls to lower
noise levels causing the overexposure.
6. In the case of new processes and equipment, as far as
practicable:
a) low noise output of the process and equipment should be
specified as a condition of purchase, alongside produc-
tion-related specifications; and
b) the workplace layout should be arranged to minimize the
noise exposure of workers.
7. In the case of existing processes and equipment, it should
first be considered whether the noisy process is necessary at all,
or whether it could be carried out in another way without gen-
erating noise. If the elimination of the noisy process as a whole
is not practicable, improving maintenance or replacing its noisy
parts with quieter alternatives should be considered. Machinery
and tools should be checked periodically since wear on compo-
nents could lead to an increase in noise levels.
8. If the elimination of noisy processes and equipment
as a whole is impracticable, individual sources should be sep-
arated out and their relative contribution to the overall sound
pressure level identified. Once the causes or sources of noise are
148
identified, the first step in the noise control process should be

to attempt to control it at source. Such measures may also be
effective in reducing vibration.
9. If prevention and control at source do not reduce expo-
sure sufficiently, enclosure of the noise source should be con-
sidered as the next step. In designing enclosures, several factors Contents
should be taken into consideration if the enclosure is to prove

satisfactory from both an acoustical and a production per-
spective, including workers’ access and ventilation. Enclosures
should be designed and manufactured in accordance with the
requirements and needs indicated by the user, consistent with
internationally recognized instruments.
10. If enclosure of the noise source is impracticable, consid-
eration should be given to alternative sound transmission path
treatment using a barrier to block or shield the worker from the
noise hazard. Barriers should be designed and manufactured in
accordance with the requirements and needs indicated by the
user, consistent with nationally and internationally recognized
instruments.
11. If reducing the noise at source or intercepting it does
not reduce workers’ exposure sufficiently, then the final options
for reducing exposure should be to:
a) install an acoustical booth or shelter for those job activities
where the movement of the worker is confined to a relatively
small area;
b) minimize, by appropriate organizational measures such
as job rotation, the time workers spend in the noisy
environment;
c) designate specific areas with high noise levels and install
appropriate warning signs indicating that hearing protec-
tion is mandatory; and
149
d) provide hearing protection.

12. Workers who may be, or have been, exposed to noise
levels exceeding occupational standards should receive initial
and further regular audiometric testing (for example within
three months of commencing work, and at least annually).
Workers who may be exposed to significant levels of noise Contents
should be trained in:

a) the effective use of hearing protection devices;
b) identifying and reporting on new or unusual sources of
noise that they become aware of; and
c) the role of audiometric examination.
13. Workers in noisy environments should be informed of
the:
a) results of their audiometric tests;
b) factors leading to noise-induced hearing loss and the con-
sequences, in terms of non‑auditory effects and social
consequences;
c) noise level;
d) the precautions necessary, especially those requiring the inter-
vention of workers or the use of hearing protection devices;
e) effects that a noisy environment may have on their general
safety; and
f) symptoms of adverse effects of exposure to high levels of
noise.
14. For further information, refer to Chapter 9 of the ILO
code of practice on ambient factors in the workplace (2001).
11.4. Vibration
1. Exposure of workers to hazardous vibration mainly
comprises:
150
a) whole-body vibration, when the body is supported on a sur-

face that is vibrating, such as in vehicles or when working
near vibrating industrial machinery; or
b) hand-transmitted vibration, which enters the body through
the hands and is caused by various processes in which
vibrating tools or work pieces are grasped or pushed by the Contents
hands or fingers.
2. Employers should comply with exposure limit stand-
ards and other nationally and internationally recognized
instruments, as required by the competent authority. If workers
are frequently exposed to hand-transmitted or whole-body
vibration, and obvious steps do not eliminate the exposure, the
employer should assess the hazard and risk to safety and health
resulting from the conditions, and:
a) identify the sources of vibration and the tasks that give rise
to exposure;
b) seek the advice of the supplier of vehicles, machinery and
equipment about their vibration emissions; or
c) if this advice is incomplete or in doubt, arrange for measure-
ments by a competent person, in accordance with nationally
and internationally recognized instruments and currently
available knowledge.
3. Vibration measurements should be used to:
a) quantify the level and duration of exposure of workers, and
compare it with exposure limits as established by the com-
petent authority or other nationally and internationally rec-
ognized instruments to be applied;
b) identify and characterize the sources of vibration and the
exposed workers;
151
c) assess the need both for engineering vibration control

and for other appropriate measures, and for their effective
implementation;
d) evaluate the effectiveness of particular vibration prevention
and control measures; and
e) if possible, determine the resonance frequencies. Contents
4. The assessment should identify the ways in which

vibrating tools are used and determine, in particular, whether:
a) the high-risk use of tools can be eliminated;
b) workers have had sufficient training in the use of the tools;
and
c) the use of tools can be improved by supports.
5. With a view to establishing appropriate prevention and
control measures, the assessment should take into account:
a) exposure to cold at the workplace, which can bring on symp-
toms of vibration white finger (Raynaud’s phenomenon) in
those exposed to vibration;
b) vibration of the head or eyes, as well as vibration of the
displays themselves, which can affect the perception of dis-
plays; and
c) body or limb vibration, which can affect the manipulation
of controls.
6. Employers should ensure that workers who are exposed
to significant vibration hazards are:
a) informed about the hazards and risks of prolonged use of
vibrating tools;
b) informed about the measures within the workers’ control
which will minimize risk, particularly the proper adjust-
ment of seating and working positions;
152
c) instructed in the correct handling and use of hand tools

with a light but safe grip; and
d) encouraged to report finger blanching, numbness or tin-
gling, without unwarranted discrimination, for which there
should be recourse in national law and practice.
7. Manufacturers should: Contents
a) provide vibration values for their tools;

b) redesign processes to avoid the need to use vibrating tools;
c) provide information to ensure that vibration is controlled
by correct installation;
d) avoid resonance frequencies of the component parts of
machinery and equipment;
e) consider including remote control capabilities into equip-
ment that causes vibration hazards; and
f) use, where practicable, anti-vibration handles.
8. When purchasing equipment and industrial vehicles,
employers should ascertain that the vibration exposure of the
user is in line with national laws and regulations or other
nationally and internationally recognized instruments.
9. Where old machinery is still in use, sources of vibration
that present a risk to safety and health should be identified, and
suitable modifications made by employing current knowledge
of vibration damping techniques.
10. Seating in vehicles, including static plant with integral
seating, should be designed to minimize transmission of vibra-
tion to the operator, and should permit an ergonomically good
working position.
11. Where workers are directly or indirectly exposed to
vibration transmitted via the floor or other structures, the
153
vibrating machines should be mounted on vibration isolators

(anti‑vibration mounts), installed according to the manufac-
turer’s instructions, or designed and manufactured according
to internationally recognized instruments for plants and
equipment.
12. Machinery or vibrating tools should be maintained reg- Contents
ularly, because worn components may increase vibration levels.

13. Where exposure might lead to injury if workers con-
tinue to work for a longer period, and reduction of the vibra-
tion is impracticable, the work should be rearranged to give
rest periods or job rotation sufficient to reduce overall exposure
to a safe level with reasonable accommodation for pregnant
workers.
11.5. Lighting
1. The task area should be sufficiently lighted to ensure
that work can be effectively performed and poses no risk to
workers’ eyesight.
2. Where natural lighting is not adequate to ensure safe
working conditions, and at night, adequate and suitable arti-
ficial lighting, including portable lighting where appropriate,
should be provided at every workplace and any other place
on the shipbuilding or ship repair facilities or vessel, where a
worker may have to pass.
3. Where possible and appropriate, the permanent
lighting of a ship should be assembled as early in the operation
as possible.
4. Electric lighting should comply with the relevant
requirements, particularly in respect of prevention of sparks and
sources of ignition and minimum lighting levels. Only persons
authorized to do so should switch off or displace lamps in the
154
general lighting system. Matches and open-flame lamps should

not be used for lighting on board the ship. Explosion‑proof
work lights with low voltage specified by nationally and inter-
nationally recognized instruments (for example, 12–24 V)
should be used in confined spaces.
5. If the lighting in a ship is provided solely by sources Contents
outside the ship, adequate emergency lighting should be avail-

able on board during the whole shipbuilding or ship repair
operation. Workers should be provided with, or have access to,
hand lights in case of blackouts.
6. Artificial lighting should not, as far as practicable, pro-
duce glare or disturbing shadows.
7. Where necessary to prevent danger from electric shock,
wiring, lamps and electric machinery should be protected by
suitable guards against accidental breakage.
8. The cables of portable electrical lighting equipment
should be of adequate size and characteristics for the power
requirements, and of adequate mechanical strength to with-
stand severe conditions in shipbuilding and ship repair
operations.
11.6. Electricity
11.6.1. General provisions
1. Electrical equipment should only be installed in a
manner consistent with national laws and regulations or
other nationally and internationally recognized instruments.
Sufficient numbers of suitably certified and competent persons
should be assigned to develop, implement and maintain all elec-
trical equipment in conformity with those requirements. Such
persons should be competent to a level commensurate with any
qualification requirements of a competent authority.
155
2. An electrical control plan respecting all the electrical

equipment at the shipbuilding and ship repair facility and the
ship under construction should be prepared and implemented.
The electrical control plan should cover:
a) the examination and testing of all electrical equipment
before use, after installation, reinstallation or repair; Contents
b) the systematic examination and testing of all electrical

equipment at the shipbuilding and ship repair facility and
the ship under construction to ensure its proper mainte-
nance, including ensuring that accumulation of dust is not
permitted;
c) the intervals, which may differ for different equipment and
parts of equipment, within which all electrical equipment
should be examined and tested;
d) the nature of the examination and testing to be carried out;
and
e) the manner in which the results of every examination and
test made pursuant to the control plan are to be durably
recorded.
3. No one, except a competent person or persons working
directly under their close personal supervision, should under-
take any electrical work where technical knowledge or experi-
ence is required.
4. Notices should be posted at prominent positions at
the shipbuilding and ship repair facility and the ship under
construction:
a) prohibiting any unauthorized person from handling or
interfering with electrical equipment; and
b) setting out directions as to the rescue and first aid of per-
sons suffering from electric shocks or burns.
156
5. Electrical installations should be protected from inad-

vertent access by fencing or locked installations, and appro-
priate warning signs posted.
11.6.2. Insulation
1. All power wires and cables should be adequately insu- Contents
lated where they pass into or out of electrical compartments.
Cables should enter metal frames of motors, splice boxes and
electrical compartments only through proper fittings. When
insulated wires, other than cables, pass through metal frames,
the holes should be substantially bushed with insulated
bushings.
2. Communication conductors for telephone and low
potential signalling systems should be protected by isolation or
suitable insulation, or both, from contacting energized power
conductors or any other power source.
3. High-voltage electrical conductors should be covered,
insulated or so placed as to prevent contact with low-voltage
conductors. The voltage on bare signal wires accessible to con-
tact by persons should not exceed a voltage likely to result in
a fatal shock. In the selection of insulating material, consider-
ation should be given to the conditions under which the con-
ductors will be used.
11.6.3. Control devices
1. All electrical equipment and circuits should be provided
with properly designed switchgear to facilitate control and,
when necessary, isolation or lock-out. Principal power switches
and terminals should be appropriately labelled to show which
units they control.
2. Control devices need to be maintained and inspected
at regular intervals.
157
3. In case there are multiple controllers for a motor, the

circuit should be so arranged that the motor can be started
again only from the same controller from which it was
stopped.
11.6.4. Distribution boxes
Contents
1. Distribution boxes should be provided with a discon-
necting device for each branch circuit. Such disconnecting
devices should be equipped or designed in such a manner that
it can be determined visually when the device is open and the
circuit de-energized. Distribution boxes should display sin-
gle-line diagrams and be labelled to show which circuit each
device controls.
2. Inspection and cover plates on electrical equipment
and junction boxes should be kept in place at all times, except
during testing or repair.
11.6.5. Earthing systems
1. All earthing conductors should be electrically contin-
uous throughout, and in effective electrical connection with
earth and with the equipment they are intended to earth.
Individual earthing conductors should be connected in par-
allel and it should be strictly forbidden to connect them in
series.
2. All metal enclosing or encasing of electrical cir-
cuits should be earthed or provided with equivalent protec-
tion. This requirement does not apply to battery-operated
equipment.
3. Frame earthing or equivalent protection should be pro-
vided for mobile equipment powered through trailing cables.
Metal fencing and metal buildings enclosing electrical appa-
ratus should be earthed.
158
4. A specific requirement should be established within the

scheme of maintenance for verifying resistance and continuity
of earth leads and establishing that the maximum resistance
specified in national laws and regulations or nationally and
internationally recognized instruments is not exceeded.
Contents
11.6.6. Overload and earth leakage protection
1. The current in all systems should be so controlled that
when, in any circuit, the current exceeds a specified value, it is
automatically cut off. Fuse links of all fuses and circuit breakers
should be calibrated by the manufacturer and the rated current
should be indicated.
2. The use of unmarked or uncalibrated fuses and circuit
breakers, or defeating fuses or bridges, should be prohibited.
3. The conditions under which automatic earth leakage
current protection is required together with the current levels
at which the protection should operate should be defined and
applied (for example, each circuit supplying portable electri-
cally operated handheld equipment should operate at no more
than 250 V and have earth leakage current protection of no
more than 30 milliamps at 30 milliseconds sensitivity).
11.6.7. Transformers
1. Transformers should be suitably housed and where nec-
essary fenced. Transformer enclosures, where provided, should
be kept locked against unauthorized entry.
2. Any transformer, installed for the first time, should
not contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) or other mate-
rials likely to release toxic gases when ignited. In-service trans-
formers containing these materials should be removed from
service and marked as PCBs and disposed of responsibly as
soon as practicable.
159
11.6.8. Conductors
1. Conductors or wiring, and the conditions under which
they are installed and used, should be in accordance with
national laws and regulations or nationally and internationally
recognized instruments.
2. All overhead power lines should be constructed and Contents
maintained in accordance with national laws and regulations

or nationally and internationally recognized instruments.
3. Temporary overhead power lines in a shipbuilding and
ship repair facility and ship under construction or repair should
conform to the following requirements:
a) a table of distances of the lowest phase wire of a power line
to the ground should be prepared;
b) no other materials should be made below overhead power
lines; and
c) no forklift or lifting appliances should be used under or
near power lines unless the lifting or extending part of the
machine does not approach nearer than a safe distance
from the power lines (for example 1 m for lines up to 1 kV,
3 m for lines up to 33 kV, 6 m for lines up to 132 kV, or 7
m for lines up to 400 kV. Where the rating is unknown,
the distance should be no nearer than 6 m).
4. Any work in the vicinity of overhead power lines
should be the subject of a risk assessment and permits prior to
commencement.
5. Trailing cables should be attached to machines in a
suitable manner to protect the cable from damage and to pre-
vent strain on the electrical connections. Surplus trailing cable
on cranes and similar equipment should be:
a) stored in cable boats;
b) stored on reels mounted on the equipment; and
160
c) otherwise protected from mechanical damage.

6. While it should be avoided, workers who have to man-
ually handle trailing cables in the course of their duties should
be provided with the necessary equipment, such as insulated
hooks, tongs, gloves and aprons for this purpose. Trailing cables
feeding mobile machinery should be so laid as to avoid their Contents
being damaged or run over. In inundated areas, cables should

be laid on supports.
7. A cable that has been mechanically damaged should
be taken out of service as soon as possible. Notwithstanding
this provision, a damaged cable may remain temporarily in use
only if it is examined by a person with appropriate electrical
expertise and rendered safe. Any cable requiring repair should
be disconnected from the feed point and any residual electrical
charges should be discharged.
8. Electric power lines should not be worked on during
thunderstorms.
9. Permanent splices and repairs made in power cables,
including the earth conductor where provided, should be:
a) mechanically sound and with electrical conductivity which
is equivalent to that of the original;
b) insulated to a degree at least equal to that of the original,
and sealed to exclude moisture; and
c) provided with damage protection as near as possible to that
of the original, including good bonding to the outer jacket.
10. Power cables energized to potentials in excess of 150 V,
phase-to-earth, should not be moved by equipment unless sleds
or slings insulated from such equipment are used. When such
energized cables are moved manually, insulated hooks, tongs,
ropes or slings should be used unless suitable protection for
161
persons is provided by other means. This does not prohibit the

pulling or dragging of a cable by the equipment it powers when
the cable is physically attached to the equipment by suitable
mechanical devices, and the cable is suitably insulated from the
equipment. Power cables should be routed and separated from
torch cables. Contents
11.6.9. Switchboards and switchgear

1. Switchboards and switchgear should be so installed,
located and guarded that:
a) the control means are safely and readily accessible to author-
ized persons;
b) live parts are inaccessible to unauthorized persons;
c) adequate working space is provided for manual operation
where required, including at the back of any switchboard
having exposed live parts lower than 2.5 m from the ground;
a clear space of not less than 1 m is provided between the
top of the equipment and any ceiling having exposed com-
bustible material;
d) adequate illumination is provided;
e) interrupting capacity adequate to handle the short circuit
current of the system is incorporated;
f) access by unauthorized persons is prevented or prohibited
and a notice to this effect posted at the entrance; and
g) a notice is posted describing the procedure for first aid in
case of electric shock.
11.6.10. Protection of portable, transportable and mobile machines
1. Transportable and mobile machines and their associ-
ated trailing cables operating above extra-low voltage (normally
less than or equal to 50 V AC (rms) and less than or equal
162
to 120 V DC (ripple free)) should be protected by automatic

earth leakage devices and by automatic earth continuity devices
capable of cutting off the voltage in the event of a break in the
earth conductor of the cable between the supply or control box
and the machine.
2. In the case of earth leakage devices and related equip- Contents
ment, as defined in national laws and regulations or other

nationally and internationally recognized instruments, the fol-
lowing should be specified:
a) the leakage current at which the equipment should be set to
operate;
b) the time to trip the circuit supplying the equipment; and
c) in the case of any portable machine or equipment and its
associated trailing cable operating at a voltage above extra
low voltage, the value in milliamps at which an instanta-
neous-type earth leakage tripping device should be set to
operate.
3. Portable electrical equipment and flexible cables should
be protected by automatic continuity protection, capable of
cutting off the voltage in the event of a break in the earth con-
ductor of the cable between the supply or control box and the
machine.
4. Any device limiting the fault current should have a time
rating which is certified as being manufactured to an approved
standard.
5. The inspection and testing intervals of equipment
should be based on its use.
11.6.11. Miscellaneous safety procedures
1. Controls should be in place to prevent mobile equip-
ment running over power conductors, nor should loads be
163
dragged over power conductors, unless the conductors are

properly bridged or otherwise protected.
2. Power circuits should be de-energized before work is
done on such circuits unless hot-line tools are used. Suitable
warning signs should be posted by the persons doing the work.
Switches should be locked out or, where not possible, other Contents
measures taken to prevent the power circuits from being ener-

gized without the knowledge of the persons working on them.
Such locks, signs or preventive devices should be removed only
by the person who installed them or by authorized persons.
3. Electrically powered equipment should be de-energized
before mechanical work is done on such equipment. Power
switches should be locked out or, where not possible, other
measures taken to prevent the equipment from being ener-
gized without the knowledge of the persons working on it.
Suitable warning notices should be posted at the power switch
and signed by the persons who are to do the work. Such locks,
notices or preventive devices should be removed only by the
persons who installed them or by authorized persons.
4. If equipment has to be moved or operated near ener-
gized high-voltage power lines where the clearance is less than
3 m, the lines should be de-energized and earthed or other pre-
cautionary measures taken.
5. When a potentially dangerous condition is found, it
should be corrected before equipment or wiring is energized.
6. Appropriate danger signs should be posted at all major
electrical installations.
11.7. Electric and magnetic fields
1. Electric and magnetic fields are found around all
equipment that passes an electric current, including in
164
welding and inspection, using techniques based on magnetic

particles. Some studies indicate that exposure to magnetic
fields might cause certain types of cancers and brain tumours.
They can also affect a person’s mood, alertness, heart func-
tion, and the immune and reproductive systems. Some indi-
viduals suffer from skin irritation in the presence of electrical Contents
fields.
2. Unlike electric fields, magnetic fields cannot be easily
screened off, as they can pass through all materials. However,
the power of the field rapidly diminishes as the distance from
the source of the magnetic field increases. It is generally advis-
able to shut down all electrical equipment when not in use.
3. Workers with heart pacemakers should not be exposed
to magnetic fields of a strength likely to affect the device.
Pregnant women should not be exposed to magnetic fields of a
strength likely to affect the foetus. Equipment producing such
fields should be clearly signposted.
4. Fixed installations which generate high strength fields,
such as transformers and switching stations, should be sited as
far away from work areas as possible.
5. Further guidelines and recommendations can be found
in Protection of workers from power frequency electric and mag-
netic fields: A practical guide, ILO Occupational Safety and
Health Series No. 69 (Geneva, 1994).
11.8. Optical radiation
1. Workers performing operations where they are exposed
to optical radiation – ultraviolet (UV), visible light including
sunlight and infrared (IR) – should be provided with adequate
personal face and eye protective equipment, particularly in
flame-cutting and welding operations.
165
2. For the purpose of detecting precancerous lesions of

the skin, workers continually working under optical radiation
exposure, including exposure to the sun, should be under med-
ical surveillance at regular intervals.
11.9. Ionizing radiation
Contents
1. Equipment that is a source of ionizing radiation
includes:
a) devices using sealed radioactive sources, for example:
i) density gauges;
ii) level gauges;
iii) multiphase flow meters;
iv) smoke detectors;
v) moisture gauges; or
vi) non-destructive testing equipment (gamma rays); and
b) irradiating devices (X-rays), for example:
i) XRF analytical equipment (handheld or in on-site lab-
oratories); and
ii) non-destructive testing equipment.
2. The presence and form of these sources and the radi-
ation dose to which workers may be exposed form the basis
for the risk assessment of the hazard of ionizing radiation
exposure.
3. Radiation exposure monitoring should be implemented
instruments.
4. Equipment which produces ionizing radiation should
be correctly used and maintained in accordance with recog-
nized international instruments.
166
5. Signs should be used when using ionizing radiation

devices to ensure that other workers are not exposed to the hazard.
6. Exclusion zones should be developed as per the manu-
facturer’s instructions and access should be restricted to areas
where ionizing radiation devices are used, and these should be
marked with appropriate signs and safety flag lines. Contents
7. Health surveillance measures for a shipbuilding and

ship repair facility and for a ship under construction and repair
should take into account the potential of exposure to ionizing
radiation where this is an issue at the facility. Workers should
be instructed about radiation types, their potential effects and
how they are monitored and measured.
8. Further information: International basic safety stand-
ards for protection against ionizing radiation and for the safety
of radiation sources (FAO, IAEA, ILO, OECD/NEA, PAHO
and WHO), Vienna, 1996 and the ILO code of practice on
radiation protection of workers (ionizing radiations) (1987).
11.10. Radiography
1. The use of fissionable material for the inspection of mate-
rial and welds is the most common source of radiation in ship-
building and ship repair processes. Radiation is produced by X‑ray
machines or by radiographic substances, such as iridium-192 or
cobalt-60. Radiographic substances emit radiation constantly.
2. The competent authority should ensure that the nec-
essary criteria, regulations and other instruments for radiation
protection are formulated in consultation with the representa-
tive organizations of employers and workers.
3. Radiation exposure monitoring should be implemented
instruments.
167
4. The employer should ensure the appropriate instruc-

tion, certification, information and training of workers engaged
in inspecting welds to enable them to carry out their work in
accordance with the requirements of radiation protection cri-
teria, regulations and other instruments.
5. Access should be restricted to areas where radiographic Contents
testing is taking place and they should be marked with X-ray

radiation signs and safety flag lines.
11.11. Heat and cold stress and wet conditions
1. Risks arise in special conditions, including when:
a) temperature and/or humidity are unusually high;
b) workers are exposed to high radiant heat;
c) high temperatures and/or humidity occur in combination
with heavy protective clothing or a high work rate;
d) temperature is unusually low;
e) high wind speed (more than 5 m per second) prevails with a
low temperature;
f) work is carried out for extended periods of time at low tem-
peratures; or
g) work is carried out in rainy or wet conditions that cause
poor visibility and slippery surfaces, and can increase the
risk of hypothermia.
2. If workers are exposed in all or some of their tasks to
any of the conditions listed above, and the hazard cannot be
eliminated, employers should assess the hazards and risks to
safety and health from extreme temperatures and wet con-
ditions, and determine the controls necessary to remove the
hazards or risks, or to reduce them to the lowest practicable
level.
168
3. The assessment should take into account that the use

of rain gear or protective clothing against hazardous substances
can increase the risk of heat stress, and also that respiratory
protectors are uncomfortable and less likely to be used in
extremely hot working environments.
4. In assessing the hazards and risks, employers should: Contents
a) make comparisons with other similar workplaces where

measurements have been made; where this is not practicable,
arrange for measurements to be performed by a technically
capable person, using appropriate and properly calibrated
equipment;
b) seek the advice of the occupational health service or a com-
petent body about the exposure standards to be applied;
and
c) bear in mind that the accuracy of manual work is adversely
affected by cold temperatures.
5. When the assessment reveals that workers may be at
risk of heat stress or hypothermia, employers should, as far as
practicable, eliminate the need for work in such conditions or
take measures to reduce the risks from extreme temperatures.
6. Workers exposed to heat, cold or wet conditions, as
well as their supervisory officials, should be trained:
a) to recognize symptoms which may lead to heat stress or
hypothermia, in themselves or others, and the steps to be
taken to prevent onset and/or emergencies;
b) in the use of rescue and first-aid measures; and
c) in the action to be taken in the event of the increased risk
of accidents because of high or low temperatures or wet
conditions.
7. Workers should be advised of:
169
a) the importance of physical fitness for work in hot, cold or

wet environments; and
b) the importance of drinking sufficient quantities of a suitable
liquid and a diet that ensures the intake of salt and potas-
sium and other elements that are depleted due to sweating.
Contents
11.11.1. Hot working environments
1. Where unhealthy or uncomfortable conditions arise
from increased air temperature, the employer should imple-
ment means to reduce air temperature, which may include ven-
tilation or air cooling.
2. Employers should take particular care with ventilation
design where work is undertaken in enclosed spaces or areas.
When fail-safe systems are not in operation, there should be
adequate supervision of workers at risk to ensure that they can
be removed from danger.
3. Where part of the risk arises from the metabolic heat
produced during work, and other methods of eliminating the
risk are impracticable, employers should arrange a work–rest
cycle for exposed workers preferably in an air-conditioned or
cooler resting room. The rest periods should be as prescribed by
the competent authority and should be sufficient to allow the
worker to recover. Employers should ensure that the appropriate
mechanical aids are available to reduce workloads and that tasks
performed in hot environments are well designed ergonomically
for both women and men to minimize physical stress.
4. For hydration maintenance, employers should make
available sufficient quantities of drinking water, with the proper
electrolytes, where appropriate.
5. Where a residual risk of heat stress remains even after
all the control measures have been taken, workers should be
adequately supervised so that they can be withdrawn from the
170
hot conditions if symptoms occur. Employers should ensure

that first-aid facilities, and staff trained in the use of such facil-
ities, are available.
6. Extra care should be taken when workers are required
to move from a very hot working environment to a much colder
one, especially when exposed to a strong wind, as the wind- Contents
chill factor can result in exposed flesh cooling very rapidly.

11.11.2. Cold working environments
1. Workers should be protected against the severest forms
of cold stress, hypothermia and cold injury. In cold climates,
during the cold season, as far as practicable:
a) exposed working places should be enclosed or screened
against the wind;
b) facilities should be provided for workers to warm themselves
when working in exposed conditions; and
c) if enclosure or screening (subparagraph (a)) is not possible,
suitable protective clothing should be provided and worn.
2. The core body temperature should not be allowed to
fall below 36°C (96.8°F). Suitable protection should be pro-
vided to prevent injury to body extremities.
11.11.3. Rainy or wet working environments
1. Workers in wet conditions should not use electrical
tools or equipment that are not specifically designed for out-
door use. Employers should provide appropriate rain gear,
non‑slip grip gloves and footwear for use in inclement weather.
2. Employers should provide protection and procedures
against risks created by lightning during thunderstorms, in
particular in relation to work in high locations such as work
around exhaust chimneys and cranes.
171
12. Ergonomical hazards
1. Where workers are using machinery, the provisions of

the ILO code of practice on safety and health in the use of
machinery (2013) should apply, in particular reference is made Contents
to figure 5 of that code.

2. Manual carrying and lifting of large, bulky and/or
heavy objects is common in shipbuilding and ship repair, and
can cause musculoskeletal injuries. Besides, long-lasting repet-
itive work movements, excessive force and awkward postures
may also cause musculoskeletal injuries.
3. Measures should be taken to ensure the appropriate
selection or adaptation of tools, machines and equipment,
including PPE, taking into account local conditions in user
countries and, in particular, ergonomic implications and the
effect of climate.
4. The competent authority, after consulting the repre-
sentative organizations of employers and workers concerned,
should establish safety and health requirements for repeti-
tive work, working postures, physical load and the handling
and transport of materials, particularly for manual handling.
Such requirements should be based on risk assessment, tech-
nical standards and medical opinion, taking into account all
the relevant conditions under which the work is performed, in
accordance with national law and practice.
5. Workers should not be required or permitted to engage
in repetitive work, the manual handling or transport of a load
which due to posture required by them or by reason of its
weight, size, shape and nature is likely to jeopardize their safety
or health. In such situations, mechanization of work processes
173
should be introduced progressively to replace manual lifting

and handling, with reasonable accommodation for pregnant
workers.
6. To the extent possible, the task should be adapted to
the worker, and jobs and tasks with unacceptable ergonomic
problems should be eliminated by redesigning work proce- Contents
dures, workstations, tools and machinery.

7. If complete elimination is not practicable, the time that
workers are required to spend in such conditions should be as
short as possible by sufficient rest periods and job rotations.
Changes in posture should be possible.
8. Workers should be informed about the hazards related
to physical work, work postures, repetitive movements and
lifting and carrying loads, including physical limits for force,
frequency and posture.
9. Workers should be trained in using correct work tech-
niques, where they have been established, to reduce the risk of
disorders. They should receive all the necessary information
about the process, equipment, their co-workers and any risks
associated with the job in the correct form and in due time to
enable them to complete the tasks without risks to their health
and safety.
174
13. Biological hazards
1. National laws and regulations should ensure that risks,

such as those of infection, allergy or poisoning due to biolog-
ical agents, are prevented or kept to a minimum when the work Contents
activities comply with relevant nationally and internationally

recognized OSH instruments.
2. In areas where biological agents pose a hazard (sludge
evacuation, bilge- and sediment-clearing operations, etc.), pre-
ventive measures should be taken which consider the mode of
transmission, in particular:
a) detection, where possible – for example, by testing drinking
water;
b) the provision of sanitation and sanitary hygiene informa-
tion to workers, both women and men;
c) action against vectors, such as rats and insects;
d) chemical prophylaxis and immunization;
e) the provision of first aid, antidotes and other emergency
procedures in case of contact with poisonous animals,
insects or plants, and suitable preventive and curative medi-
cine; and
f) the supply of adequate protective equipment and clothing
that is adaptable for use by both women and men, and other
appropriate precautions.
175
14. Safety requirements for tools, machines
and equipment
1. All tools, machines and equipment can be the source

of diverse hazards and great attention should be paid to their
design, manufacturing, planned use, maintenance and disposal.
2. To ensure that tools, machines and equipment are safe,
key decisions have to be taken already at the concept/design
and manufacturing stages. This code does not cover these
decisions, as the steps to be taken by designers and manufac-
turers of machines are not undertaken at shipbuilding and ship
repair facilities. It is, however, recommended that the guidance
in the ILO code of practice on safety and health in the use of
machinery (2013) (the “Machinery code”) should be followed
by designers and manufacturers of tools, machines and equip-
ment for shipbuilding and ship repair, and taken into con-
sideration by employers when choosing tools, machinery and
equipment.
3. In accordance with the provisions of the Guarding of
Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119), and the Guarding
of Machinery Recommendation, 1963 (No. 118), all tools,
machines and equipment used in shipbuilding and ship repair,
including hand tools, both manual and power-driven, should:
a) comply with safety and health requirements as prescribed in
international or national standards and recommendations,
wherever these are available;
b) be of good design and construction, taking into account, as
far as possible, safety and health and ergonomic principles;
177
c) be maintained in good working order;

d) inspected before each use;
e) be used only for work for which they have been designed
and in line with the manufacturer’s instructions, unless it
has been assessed by a competent person who has concluded
that such use is safe; Contents
f) be used or operated only by workers who have been author-

ized and given specific training; and
g) be provided with protective guards, shields or other devices,
as required by national laws or regulations.
4. Employers, manufacturers or agents should provide
comprehensive and clear instructions and information on all
aspects of operator/user maintenance and the safe use of tools,
machines and equipment. These should include any safety fea-
tures, requirements for PPE, as well as the need for training.
5. No worker using tools, machines or equipment should
make inoperative the guards provided, nor should such guards
be made inoperative on any machinery to be used by any
worker.
6. Equipment should be so designed as to allow easy and
safe maintenance and minor repair at the worksite. Workers
who operate equipment should be trained to do day-to-day
maintenance on machines and tools. Only competent persons
should carry out repairs on machines and tools.
7. Machines and equipment should be so constructed and
installed as to avoid hazardous points between moving and sta-
tionary parts or objects. If this is not the case, all dangerous
moving parts, such as reciprocating components, revolving
shafts, gearing or belt drives, should be enclosed or adequately
guarded in accordance with national laws and regulations.
178
14. Safety requirements for tools, machines and equipment
8. Workers operating tools, machines and equipment

should be provided with appropriate PPE.
9. Employers should develop a system for identification
and tag out of defective tools to ensure they are not used.
14.2. Hand tools Contents
1. Hand tools and implements should be tempered,

dressed and repaired by competent persons. Heads of hammers
and other shock tools should be dressed or ground to a suitable
radius on the edge as soon as they begin to mushroom or crack.
The cutting edges of cutting tools should be kept sharp.
2. When not in use, and while being carried or trans-
ported, sharp tools should be kept in sheaths, shields, chests or
other suitable containers.
3. When used at heights, tools should be secured to
workers to prevent them from being dropped during transpor-
tation or when the workers lose their grip, and to ensure they
are not left behind after work.
4. Only non-sparking tools should be used near or in the
presence of flammable or explosive dusts or vapours.
5. Employers should not issue or permit the use of unsafe
tools.
14.3. Power-driven tools
14.3.1. Pneumatic tools
1. Operating triggers on portable pneumatic tools should
be:
a) so placed as to minimize the risk of the accidental starting
of the machine; and
b) arranged to close the air inlet valve automatically when the
pressure of the operator’s hand is removed.
179
2. Hose and hose connections for the supply of com-

pressed air to portable pneumatic tools should be:
a) designed for the pressure and service for which they are
intended;
b) fastened securely to the permanent pipe outlet and to the
tool; and Contents
c) designed so that they cannot be released while the hose is

under pressure.
3. Pneumatic shock tools should be equipped with safety
clips or retainers to prevent dies and tools from being acciden-
tally expelled from the barrel.
4. Tools should not be shot out of pneumatic hammers,
but be removed by hand.
5. When cutting rivets with pneumatic cutters:
a) the tools should be provided with a cage guard or other suit-
able device to catch the rivet heads; or
b) the workers should be provided with suitable head, hearing
and eye protection.
6. Pneumatic tools should be disconnected from the
source of power and the pressure in the hose lines released
before any adjustments or repairs are made.
7. Air supply lines should:
a) be adequately protected from damage by traffic or other
movement; and
b) over such surfaces as those of ladders, steps, scaffolds and
walkways, they should not be laid in such a manner as to
create a tripping hazard.
8. Portable pneumatic tools should not be hoisted or low-
ered by the air line.
180
9. Reciprocating pneumatic equipment should have the

plungers, dies and tools removed when they are not in use.
10. Compressed air should not be used for cleaning
clothing or parts of the body, or be directed at the body.
11. Hoses should be inspected visually before each use and
removed if damaged. Contents
14.3.2. Hydraulic tools

1. Hydraulic tools should be stored in dry conditions and
the hoses should be kept in hanging position.
2. The fluid used in hydraulic power tools must be an
approved fire-resistant fluid and must retain its operating char-
acteristics at the most extreme temperatures to which it will be
exposed.
3. The safe operating pressure recommended by the man-
ufacturer for hoses, valves, pipes, filters, and other fittings must
not be exceeded.
4. Hydraulic tools should be inspected and maintained
on a regular basis by a competent person and complete records
kept. The status of inspection should be marked on the tool for
the information of users.
5. The maintenance of hydraulic tools should be based
on the work cycles of the equipment, in accordance with the
instructions of the manufacturer.
14.3.3. Cartridge-operated tools
1. When using cartridge-operated tools, a warning sign
should be displayed in the working area.
2. Cartridge-operated tools should have:
a) a guard or protective shield that cannot be removed without
rendering the tool inoperative;
181
b) a device that prevents the tool from firing inadvertently, for

example if it is dropped or while it is being loaded;
c) a device that prevents the tool from firing if it is not approx-
imately perpendicular to the working surface; and
d) a device that prevents the tool from firing if the muzzle is
not pressed against the working surface. Contents
3. The recoil of a cartridge-operated tool should not be

capable of injuring the user.
4. The noise of the detonation should not be such as to
damage hearing.
5. A cartridge-operated tool, before each use, should be
inspected to ensure that it is safe to use and, in particular, that:
a) the safety devices are in proper working order;
b) the tool is clean;
c) the moving parts work easily; and
d) the barrel is unobstructed.
6. At intervals recommended by the manufacturer, the
tool should be completely dismantled and inspected by a com-
petent person for wear of the safety devices.
7. Cartridge-operated tools should be repaired only by the
manufacturer or by competent persons.
8. Cartridges should not be stored or cartridge-operated
tools used:
a) in a place or environment where they could explode acci-
dentally; or
b) in an explosive atmosphere.
9. When not required for use, inspection or other pur-
pose, cartridge-operated tools should be kept in a suitable con-
tainer that:
182
a) is made of suitable material;

b) is clearly marked to indicate its contents;
c) is kept locked when not in use; and
d) stores the cartridge separate from the tools.
10. No cartridge-operated tool should be stored or trans- Contents
ported loaded, or left loaded when not in use.
11. Cartridge-operated tools should be accompanied by
instructions for their maintenance and use and should only be
operated by persons trained in their safe use.
12. The employer should keep a registry of cartridges.
14.3.4. Electrical tools
1. Portable electrical tools should, as far as possible, be
operated by rechargeable batteries in order to avoid cables lying
on the floor, or should use reduced voltage to avoid the risk of a
lethal shock.
2. All electrical tools should:
a) be earthed/grounded as per the manufacturer’s specifica-
tions, unless they are “all‑insulated”, “double-insulated”
or battery powered tools which do not require an earth;
earthing should be incorporated in metallic cases, and as
a safeguard against damaged cables where wires enter the
tool; and
b) be inspected and maintained on a regular basis by a compe-
tent person, and complete records kept.
3. Electrical equipment for use in places where a potentially
explosive atmosphere is likely to occur should be constructed
so as not to be liable to ignite that atmosphere. Other electrical
equipment should be pressurized or otherwise explosion-pro-
tected to a standard appropriate for use in that atmosphere.
183
14.3.5. Stored energy

1. The shipbuilding and ship repair industry uses a variety
of machinery which contains stored energy, for example, pres-
sure energy in pneumatic and hydraulic systems, electrical
energy in capacitive elements or batteries, or mechanical
energy in components under strain. The unexpected release Contents
of these energies can lead to very serious injury to workers in

the vicinity. Of particular concern are maintenance activities
which typically involve workers being in close proximity to
machinery with stored energy (unless isolated or dissipated)
and undertaking activities which are likely to compromise the
containment of that energy.
2. A particular hazard is presented by hydraulic and other
gas or steam systems which typically operate under very high
pressures. Workers in close proximity to these systems may
suffer hydraulic fluid injection injuries which, in addition to the
physical damage caused, can result in necrosis of surrounding
tissue due to the common components of hydraulic fluids.
3. An initial and ongoing risk assessment should be con-
ducted to identify machinery and its components containing
stored energy which, if accidentally released, can result in
injury to workers.
4. Workers who may work in close proximity to machinery
containing stored energy should be identified and made aware
of the potential hazards of the unexpected release of that
energy. This especially applies to workers involved in mainte-
nance activities, and the arrival and departure of a ship when it
is being winched into the dry dock or during manoeuvres, with
cables and ropes under tension.
5. Only authorized and competent workers should work
on equipment with stored energy.
184
6. Where there are specific hazards, such as electricity,

pressure differentials, poor air quality or radiation, these should
be identified and controlled so that workers and others in the
workplace are not endangered. This should include confirma-
tion that:
a) electrical, gas and liquid connections have been isolated Contents
and any excess pressure in the systems concerned has been

discharged;
b) suitable guarding or enclosure of equipment or components
that can unexpectedly release energy;
c) any unexpected movement of machinery is prevented;
d) suspended loads have been secured;
e) scaffolding, work platforms and ladders used for the work
have an adequate stability and carrying capacity;
f) tanks or confined spaces are serviced, inspected or cleaned,
measures have been taken to control the danger from lack of
oxygen, toxic gases or other hazardous substances, and that
appropriate emergency procedures are in place;
g) access to the danger area is restricted to essential personnel
and a safety zone is established;
h) appropriate PPE and protective clothing are supplied and
used; and
i) equipment or components that contain or store energy,
including pressure vessels, actuators and pipes, should be
maintained and inspected in accordance with manufac-
turers’ recommendations and relevant laws.
7. To isolate or dissipate potentially damaging energy
sources, the following action should be taken:
a) machinery should be fitted with a means to disconnect and
isolate it from all energy sources. Such isolators should be
185
clearly identified. They should be capable of being locked in

the “off” position if reconnection could endanger workers.
This is especially important where a worker is unable to
check that the energy is still cut off due to the inaccessibility
of the area;
b) identify and implement specific procedures for the control Contents
of hazardous energy. These procedures should include prepa-

ration for shut-down, lock-out or tag-out, a permit‑to‑work
system and verification of isolation, as part of a formal risk
management system;
c) after the energy is cut off it should be possible to dissipate
normally any energy remaining or stored in the circuits of
the machinery without risk to workers;
d) certain circuits may remain connected to their energy
sources in order, for example, to hold parts, to protect infor-
mation, and to light interiors. In this case, special steps
should be taken to ensure worker safety;
e) where there is a potential for fluid release, the pipeline
should be blanked off; and
f) steps to safely re-energize and reinstate equipment to opera-
tional status.
8. The lock and tag should only be removed by those per-
sons who installed them or by authorized personnel only after
it is verified that this may be done without creating a hazard to
the workers.
14.4. Tools for plate-cutting, flame-cutting and other hot work
1. Workers should be:
a) competent and familiar with the equipment to be used,
which should be inspected by a competent person before
use; and
186
b) given careful instructions if special precautions need to be

taken.
2. Harmful fumes may be produced and oxygen depleted
during operations. Special care should be taken during opera-
tions, in particular, in enclosed places and confined spaces in
accordance with the provisions of section 7.9. Contents
3. Before any operation begins, inspections and tests

should be carried out by a competent person to ensure that
there are no combustible solids, liquids or gases at, or in, any
compartments adjacent to the work area which might be
ignited by heat or sparks from the work.
4. All surfaces upon which hot work is to be conducted
should be free of oil, grease or any flammable or combustible
material.
5. All openings through which sparks might fall should
be closed where practical or covered by appropriate protective
materials.
6. Cargo tanks, fuel tanks, cargo holds or other tanks or
spaces (including cargo pumps and pipelines) that have con-
tained flammable substances should be certified by a compe-
tent person as being free of flammable gases before any work
commences.
7. Adequate ventilation or protection against fumes
should be in place.
8. All operations should be properly supervised and a fire
watch maintained, both in the operational area and all adjacent
areas, including spaces on the other side of affected bulkheads.
Because of the possibility of delayed fires, the fire watch should
be maintained for a suitable period of time after the work has
been completed.
187
9. An adequate quantity of appropriate fire extinguishers

should be kept at hand.
10. Clean and approved PPE should be worn by the worker
and other persons involved in the work process. The worker
should normally wear:
a) a welding helmet and suitable eye shield; Contents
b) leather working gloves;

c) a leather apron when appropriate; and
d) other appropriate PPE.
14.5. Abrasive wheels
1. Floor stands for abrasive wheels should be:
a) rigidly constructed;
b) sufficiently heavy for the wheels, discs, etc. used; and
c) securely mounted on substantial foundations so as to with-
stand vibration.
2. Abrasive devices should be equipped with protection
hoods or other suitable devices to prevent injury to persons if
the wheel or belt breaks.
3. Stationary abrasive wheels and portable abrasive wheels,
whenever practicable, should be equipped with exhaust systems
that will effectively remove the dust and dirt particles produced
in grinding.
4. Work rests on abrasive wheels should be substantially
constructed, rigidly supported and readily adjustable, shaped to
fit the contour of the wheel, and securely fixed in position as
close as practicable to the wheel.
5. Portable abrasive wheels used for external grinding
should be provided with protection hoods, and abrasive wheels
188
used for internal grinding should be provided with adequate

protection flanges.
6. Abrasive wheels should be inspected before they are
mounted to ascertain whether they are cracked or otherwise
damaged.
7. Every abrasive wheel should be properly mounted. Contents
8. The maximum safe speed of operation should be

marked on every abrasive wheel. Abrasive wheels should not be
run at a speed exceeding the maximum safe speed indicated on
them.
9. Dry grinding or brushing should not be done on sur-
faces coated with harmful paint unless local exhaust ventila-
tion is provided or respiratory protective equipment is used.
10. Workers employed on abrasive wheels should be provided
with protection for the head and eyes against flying particles or
splashes and protection against respiratory and hearing hazards.
14.6. Gas cylinders
14.6.1. General requirements
1. Cylinders for compressed or liquefied gases should be:
a) properly constructed with sound material;
b) fitted with appropriate safety devices in accordance with
national laws and regulations or other nationally and inter-
nationally recognized instruments;
c) inspected and tested by a competent person as prescribed;
and
d) stored, transported, handled and used in conformity with
the prescribed safety measures.
2. If cylinders charged with liquefied gases are heated, this
should not be done with an open flame.
189
14.6.2. Storage
1. Cylinders should be properly secured and kept upright,
but must be capable of quick release. Oxygen and fuel gas cyl-
inders (such as acetylene) should be kept in suitable, separate,
well‑ventilated compartments that are not subject to extremes
of temperature. The space should have no electrical fittings or Contents
other sources of ignition. “No smoking” signs should be dis-

played at the entrance and within the space. Prohibition of
smoking should be enforced.
2. Inside buildings, oxygen cylinders should not be stored
near acetylene cylinders or near cylinders filled with other fuel
gases.
3. Cylinders should be kept at a safe distance from:
a) electrical conductors, such as third rails, trolley wires and
grounding conductors; and
b) all operations which produce flames, sparks or molten metal,
or cause excessive heating of the cylinders.
4. Valve protection caps should always be in place when
cylinders are not in use or not connected for use.
5. Loaded and empty gas cylinders should be kept in sepa-
rate places. Empty gas cylinders should be marked to show that
they are empty.
6. No tools or other objects should be placed on the top of
a gas cylinder.
14.6.3. Moving and handling
1. Cylinders should not be knocked, dropped or rolled in
handling, or otherwise subjected to violent shocks, especially at
low temperatures.
2. Cylinders should be moved by tilting and rolling them
on their bottom edges.
190
3. When cylinders are transported by vehicle, they should

be secured in position.
4. The devices for holding the cylinders should be such
that the cylinders can be rapidly removed in case of fire.
5. When in use, cylinders should be held in place by a
truck, chain or other effective means. Contents
6. When cylinders are hoisted, they should be secured on

a cradle, slingboard or pallet. They should not be hoisted by
means of magnets or choker slings.
7. Valve protection caps should not be used for lifting cyl-
inders from one vertical position to another. Bars should not be
used under valves or valve protection caps to pry cylinders loose
when frozen. Warm, not boiling, water should be used to thaw
cylinders loose.
8. Unless cylinders are firmly secured on a special carrier
intended for this purpose, regulators should be removed and
valve protection caps put in place before cylinders are moved.
9. All cylinders, particularly acetylene cylinders, should
be secured in an upright position at all times except, if neces-
sary, for short periods of time while cylinders are actually being
hoisted or carried.
14.7. Lifting appliances and gear
14.7.1. General requirements
1. Employers should have a well-planned safety pro-
gramme to ensure that all the lifting appliances and lifting gear
are selected, installed, examined, tested, maintained, operated
and dismantled:
a) with a view to preventing the occurrence of any accident;
and
191
b) in accordance with the requirements laid down in national

laws and regulations or other nationally and internationally
recognized instruments.
2. Every lifting appliance, including its constituent ele-
ments, attachments, anchorages and supports, should be of
good design and construction, sound material and adequate Contents
strength for the purpose for which it is used.

3. Every lifting appliance and every item of lifting gear
should be accompanied at the time of purchase with instruc-
tions for use and with a test certificate from a competent
person and a guarantee of conformity with national laws and
regulations or other nationally and internationally recognized
instruments concerning:
a) the maximum safe working load;
b) safe working loads at different radii if the lifting appliance
has a variable radius; and
c) the conditions of use under which the maximum or variable
safe working loads can be lifted or lowered.
4. Documentation (as appropriate) relating to lifting
appliances should include:
a) a driver’s instruction manual;
b) an erection manual;
c) a maintenance manual;
d) a spare parts manual;
e) the manufacturer’s certification of fitness for use;
f) a certificate of test and thorough examination after initial
erection;
g) the manufacturer’s certificates for wire ropes installed on
cranes; and
192
h) periodic examination and maintenance records.

5. Controls of lifting appliances should conform to ISO
7752-1:2010 Cranes – Control layout and characteristics –
Part 1: General principles, and ensure that the operator has
ample room for operation when at the controls. They should:
a) be so positioned that the operator has an unrestricted view Contents
of the operation or any person authorized to give the oper-

ator signals;
b) be marked with their purpose and method of operation;
c) return to the neutral position when released; and
d) be equipped with a dead man’s handle to prevent unat-
tended movement.
6. Every lifting appliance, and every item of lifting gear
having a single safe working load, should be clearly marked at
a conspicuous place with the maximum safe working load in
accordance with national laws and regulations or other nation-
ally and internationally recognized instruments.
7. Every lifting appliance having a variable safe working
load should be fitted with a load indicator or other effective
means to indicate clearly to the operator each maximum safe
working load and the conditions under which it is applicable.
8. Lifting appliances where the safe working load varies
with the radius of operation should display a chart, showing
the radius and the corresponding safe working load, in accord-
ance with nationally or internationally recognized instruments.
The chart should also state the maximum and minimum oper-
ating radius for the appliance and the point from which the
radius is measured. Such appliances should also be fitted with a
radius indicator that can be clearly seen by the operator at the
controls and, where practicable, a safe working load indicator.
193
9. All lifting appliances should be adequately and securely

supported; the weight-bearing characteristics of the ground on
which the lifting appliance is to operate should be surveyed in
advance of use.
10. Lifting appliances should be installed by competent
persons so that: Contents
a) they cannot be displaced by the load, vibration or other

influences;
b) the operator is not exposed to danger from loads, ropes or
drums; and
c) the operator can either see over the zone of operations or
communicate with all loading and unloading points by sig-
nals or other adequate means.
11. A safe distance, as prescribed by national laws and reg-
ulations, or other nationally and internationally recognized
instruments should be provided between moving parts or loads
of lifting appliances and:
a) fixed objects in the surrounding environment; and
b) electrical conductors.
12. No structural alterations or repairs should be made to
any part of a lifting appliance which may affect the safety of the
appliance without the permission and supervision of the com-
petent person.
13. Power-operated lifting appliances should be fitted with
a safe working load limiter. This should operate when the load
that is being raised or lowered exceeds the safe working load
by a predetermined amount. The limiter should only prevent
motions that would increase the overload.
14. Every power-operated lifting appliance should be pro-
vided with an efficient brake or brakes capable of arresting a
194
load while it is being lowered. The brakes should normally be

applied automatically when:
a) the motion control lever is returned to its neutral position;
b) an emergency stop is operated;
c) there is a power supply failure; Contents
d) when overspeed is detected; or

e) in the case of electrically operated brakes, there is a failure
of one phase or a significant drop in voltage or frequency of
the power supply.
15. In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health
(Dock Work) Convention, 1979 (No. 152), and as prescribed
by national laws and regulations or other nationally and inter-
nationally recognized instruments, every lifting appliance and
every item of loose gear should be examined and tested by a
competent person:
a) before being used for the first time;
b) after erection on a site;
c) subsequently at prescribed intervals; and
d) after any substantial alteration or repair to load-bearing
parts.
16. Only tested appliances, gear and equipment can be
used for lifting. Inspection and testing of all lifting appliances
should be carried out by a competent person. A record of load
tests must be included in the equipment record giving details
of the tests, including verification of the test loads used, and be
signed and dated by the person conducting the test.
17. The results of tests and examinations should be
recorded. After completion of the thorough examination, the
competent person should prepare a report which:
195
a) identifies the item examined, the date of the thorough

examination, its safe working load(s) and any defects found;
b) specifies any parts to be repaired or replaced;
c) includes a statement that the item is, or is not, safe for con-
tinued use;
Contents
d) gives the date by which the next test and thorough examina-
tion of the lifting appliance should be carried out; and
e) gives the name and qualifications of the competent person.
18. A register of the lifting appliances and items of loose
gear should be kept in a form prescribed by the competent
authority.
19. Lifting appliances should be operated by a worker who:
a) is 18 years of age or older according to the Minimum Age
Convention, 1973 (No. 138), and the Worst Forms of Child
Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182);
b) is medically fit; and
c) has received appropriate training in accordance with nation-
ally or internationally recognized instruments and is prop-
erly qualified.
20. A lifting appliance or item of lifting gear should not be
loaded beyond its safe working load or loads, except for testing
purposes as specified by, and under the direction of, a compe-
tent person.
21. No person should be raised, lowered or carried by a
lifting appliance unless it is constructed, installed, certified and
used for that purpose in accordance with national laws and reg-
ulations, except in an emergency situation:
a) in which serious personal injury or fatality may occur; or
b) for which the lifting appliance can safely be used.
196
22. All lifting appliance operators and users of loose gear

should be carefully selected, trained and tested to ensure that
they are competent. Operators should be trained and certified
to operate each make and model of lifting appliance that they
are called upon to use.
23. Persons should stay clear of suspended loads, should Contents
never be under a suspended load and loads should not be lifted

over people. Exclusion zones should be established around
lifting operations.
24. For further information, refer to Chapter 8 of the ILO
code of practice on safety and health in the use of machinery
(2013) for the safe use of lifting machinery (such as cranes
and hoists) and machinery for the lifting of persons, and its
Appendix II for detailed technical information.
14.7.2. Cranes
1. Any crane to be used in an exposed position such that
the effect of wind may be detrimental to its safety should be
designed to have the stability and structural strength required
to stand up to the additional stresses involved in:
a) operating normally up to a predetermined wind velocity; and
b) withstanding the foreseeable wind velocity, including
gusting, when not in operation.
2. The operator’s cab should be ergonomically designed
to provide the operator with a safe and comfortable working
environment, as well as having a means to control the internal
temperature, such as air conditioning, if this is found necessary
through an ergonomic assessment of the implications. The cab
and its fittings should be constructed of fire-resistant material
and conform to internationally recognized instruments. In
particular, it should have:
197
a) an unrestricted view of the area of operation;

b) adequate protection from the elements;
c) windows that can be readily and safely cleaned inside and
out;
d) a windscreen designed or equipped to ensure the operator
has a full view of the load and is protected against UV Contents
radiation;
e) a comfortable seat that enables the operator to look in the
required direction;
f) a sliding or inward-opening door readily openable from
inside and outside if the cabin is elevated;
g) means of emergency escape;
h) suitable fire extinguishers; and
i) a secure means of access such as a fixed ladder with a safety
cage.
3. The operator’s cab should be designed to limit noise
and vibration to within nationally permitted levels.
4. Radio controlled overhead cranes must be operated by
a qualified worker who has been trained to operate the equip-
ment. Certificates of trained workers should be kept by the
employer, and a list of qualified workers should be kept in the
charging compartment of the radio control devices. Radio con-
trolled overhead cranes should be inspected daily, including the
operation of brakes, automatic stopping distance, hook latch
and radio controls.
5. Cranes should have a load limiter in accordance with
subsection 14.7.1, paragraph 13.
6. Mobile cranes may travel with a suspended load only if
the crane manufacturer has specified the load rating and pro-
vided clear instructions for this operation.
198
7. Rail-mounted cranes should be so designed that in the

event of the breakage of a wheel, the failure of an axle or derail-
ment, the crane will not overturn or collapse.
8. Rail-mounted cranes should be equipped with blinking
yellow warning lights when moving and devices to clear the
rails of dunnage and similar material automatically as the crane Contents
moves.
9. The wheels of rail-mounted cranes should be provided
with guards to prevent danger to feet.
10. The rails should be of adequate section and bearing
capacity, firm and level with an even rail surface and electri-
cally bonded and earthed. Shock absorbing buffers should be
provided on rail mounted cranes and on rail end stops.
11. Anemometers should be fitted in the most exposed
position of large rail-mounted cranes to provide warning of
wind conditions requiring them to be taken out of service.
14.7.3. Forklifts
1. Forklifts which are powered by internal combustion
engines carry flammable fuel, produce exhaust emissions with
toxic components and can create noise nuisance. The driver, as
well as unauthorized riders or those working close by, are at
risk of rollovers. The risk of being run over is high in areas of
poor vision, especially when reversing.
2. Forklifts should be equipped with a rollover protec-
tion structure and, where applicable, seat belt to prevent inju-
ries in case of rollover. All forklift operators should be trained
in their safe use, in particular rollover prevention, and be
required to follow safe work practices. They should observe
all signs and clearance heights in relation to the height of the
load or mast.
199
3. The “one seat, one rider” rule should be enforced

without exception. Another worker may be lifted by the fork-
lift only if a securely attached work platform, cage or other pro-
tective equipment is used to prevent falls.
4. All forklift operators should be alert to the presence
of co-workers and bystanders and ensure that they are kept Contents
at a safe distance or separated by a barrier. Forklifts with an

enclosed cab should be fitted with one or two rear-view mir-
rors. Traffic ways, walkways and work areas should be sepa-
rated by yellow lines painted on the floor. Forklifts should be
conspicuously painted or marked and fitted with a flashing or
rotating yellow beacon, a horn and audible reverse signal or
alarm.
5. Forklifts operating inside warehouses should preferably
be equipped with electric motors. In workshops, electric pallet
stackers or “walkie stackers” are preferable to even the smallest
forklifts.
6. Forklifts operating outside can operate on LPG or
diesel fuel. Every forklift driven by an internal combustion
engine should:
a) have an efficient exhaust system fitted with a silencer and a
gas cleaner, where appropriate;
b) have an exhaust system designed in such a manner that
engine exhaust is directed away from the operator’s position.
Materials used in the vicinity of exhaust systems should be
non-flammable and not adversely affected by heat from the
exhaust system;
c) carry an appropriate fire extinguisher; and
d) be manufactured or adapted to comply with applicable
noise-level regulations.
200
7. Local exhaust ventilation may also be necessary in

places where dust, gas, vapour, steam or fumes are formed.
8. Forklifts powered by LPG should be equipped with
an LPG lock-off valve to prevent the flow of LPG when the
forklift is turned off. All connections of gas hoses and pipes
must be checked for leaks after a new LPG cylinder has been Contents
connected.
9. The forks of the forklift should be designed to prevent
their accidental unhooking or unintentional lateral displace-
ment when in use. The forks of forklifts are items of loose
gear and should be tested and certified before being brought
into use. Movement of the attachment and its parts must be
mechanically limited at the extreme positions.
10. In the event of the failure of a single lifting/lowering
part of the mechanism (such as a gearwheel, chainwheel or
spindle), a locking mechanism should prevent the elevated load
or operator’s platform from dropping.
11. Any trapping, crushing or shearing points within reach
of the operator in the normal operating position on the truck
should be suitably guarded. There should be no sharp edges
or angles creating a hazard in the area of the operator in the
normal operating position or in the area of access and egress
during normal operation and daily checks.
12. The operator’s compartment should be covered by an
overhead guard and provide good all‑round visibility. For fork-
lifts with a high lifting capacity, a closed-circuit camera or auto-
matic setting of correct height should be provided. However,
where available, cameras and proximity sensors should only be
used to assist the driver.
13. The controls of the forklift should be adjustable to
suit all operators. The steps should be equipped with a high
201
grip and self-cleaning surface. Seat belts or other appro-

priate restraints should be provided and worn, where neces-
sary. These should preferably be of the inertia reel type and
designed to take into account the working position of the
driver or operator, which may differ from that of a normal
road vehicle. Sound-proofed safety cabs should be fitted where Contents
the noise levels from the truck engine exceed exposure limits.
For forklifts operating outside, the compartment should be
weatherproof.
14. Forklifts should be maintained in a safe and efficient
condition. They should be inspected daily by the driver, oper-
ator or other competent person, and the inspection should
include checking that tyre pressure is sufficient to maintain
stability.
15. When the operator leaves the seat of the forklift, the
forks should be fully lowered to the floor, the parking brake
applied, the engine stopped. At the end of the shift, forklifts
should be parked in designated parking areas or in authorized
areas for charging batteries, and the keys properly kept to pre-
vent unauthorized access.
16. Driver seating should be ergonomically designed. PPE
for forklift drivers includes protective shoes, reflective clothing
and a helmet with safety goggles when moving outside the driv-
er’s compartment.
14.7.4. Equipment for lifting persons
1. All newly acquired aerial lifts should meet the design
and construction requirements of relevant nationally and inter-
nationally recognized instruments. Every effort should be made
to replace equipment that does not meet current standards.
Modifications to lifts are not allowed without written approval
from the manufacturer.
202
2. Prior to operation every day, each operator should con-

duct a worksite and machine inspection, including applicable
function tests of controls and safety devices. The purpose of
these checks is to detect and abate hazards.
3. Most lifts are designed for operation on relatively flat
surfaces with a minimal slope (less than 5 per cent). Operation Contents
on surfaces that exceed the manufacturer’s maximum rated

slope is not allowed.
4. The maximum load specified by the manufacturer must
not be exceeded. This includes the weight of the person and all
tools/supplies/equipment, etc. on the platform at any one time.
5. Minimum safe distances, in accordance with nationally
and internationally recognized instruments, are to be main-
tained while working in an aerial lift.
6. Guard rails typically provide adequate protection for
lifts that are stationary and where the platform rises straight up
from its base. A certified fall protection system should be used
when operating all boom type lifts.
7. When welding while on an aerial lift, the platform or
any part of the machine must not be used for grounding.
8. When using electrical tools while on an aerial lift, only
tools that are double insulated or have a grounding plug should
be used.
9. In order to avoid collision hazards:
a) overhead cranes that are located within working distance of
the lift should be locked out;
b) before lowering a platform, it should be ascertained that
persons or objects are not present. A warning of the intent
to descend (audible alarm, voice commands, etc.) should be
given. Teammates on the ground must be warned before the
platform is lowered;
203
c) warning barricades should be placed at a safe perimeter

around the lift for both pedestrian and vehicular traffic;
d) the swing range should be taken into account in order to
avoid objects within the range of motion of the machine;
e) when moving a lift, extreme caution and slow and delib-
erate motions should be used, particularly on slippery decks Contents
or when the route contains corners, blind spots and other

visual obstructions; and
f) for drivable boom lifts, boom controls (not drive controls)
should be used for the final positioning of the platform
close to objects.
10. To avoid injury from pinch or shear points:
a) hands, arms and other body parts must be kept within the
confines of the platform and guard rail while working on
the platform. Hands and fingers must be kept away from
moving parts while on the ground;
b) loose clothing that could be caught in chains, pulleys, lifts,
etc. should be avoided; and
c) before conducting maintenance and repairs, the lift must be
de-energized.
11. The lift should be secured and the key removed while it
is stored to avoid improper use by unauthorized persons.
14.7.5. Maintenance
1. All lifting appliances and loose gear should be main-
tained in good working order, and in efficient condition and
good repair.
2. Maintenance, including lubrication, should be carried
out on a regular scheduled basis, in accordance with the manu-
facturer’s recommendations and operational experience.
204
3. Replacement components should conform to the man-

ufacturer’s manual or be of an equivalent standard.
4. Repairs to the structure of a lifting appliance should
follow the correct procedure specified by the manufacturer.
Excessive heat can change the properties of steel.
5. Corrective maintenance should also be carried out Contents
when necessary.
6. An accurate record of all routine and corrective mainte-
nance should be kept.
14.7.6. Ropes, chains and accessories
1. All ropes, chains and accessories should:
a) be of sound material, good construction and adequate
strength, and the use of plant fibre ropes for the lifting of
any material should be prohibited;
b) before being placed in service, be thoroughly tested by com-
petent persons;
c) conform to any national technical standards that may be
applicable; and
d) be maintained in good working order.
2. Only tested and labelled equipment can be used for
lifting. A safe working load must be marked on every lifting appli-
ance. All lifting appliances with a safe working load should be
inspected periodically. The status of inspection should be clearly
marked, for instance by use of a colour code. Care should be taken
that any paint or coatings do not conceal any inspection points.
14.7.6.1. Chains
1. A load must not be lifted with a chain that has a kink
or knot in it. A chain must not be shortened by bolting, wiring
or knotting.
205
2. A thorough inspection of all chains in use must be made

at least every three months. Each chain must bear an indication
of the month in which it was thoroughly inspected. The thor-
ough inspection must include inspection for wear, defective
welds, deformation and increase in length or stretch.
3. All repairs to chains must be made under qualified Contents
supervision. Links or portions of the chain found to be defec-

tive must be replaced by links having proper dimensions and
made of material similar to that of the chain. Before repaired
chains are returned to service, they must be proof tested to the
proof test load recommended by the manufacturer.
4. Chain slings must be removed from service when, due
to stretch, the increase in length of a measured section exceeds
5 per cent.
14.7.6.2. Hooks
1. The manufacturer’s recommendations should be fol-
lowed in determining the safe working loads of the various
sizes and types of specific and identifiable hooks. All hooks
for which no applicable manufacturer’s recommendations are
available should be tested to twice the intended safe working
load before they are initially put into use.
2. Loads should be applied to the throat of the hook,
since loading the point may overstress and bend or spring the
hook.
3. When the hook of a multi-legged sling is attached to
an eye fitting on a pallet, tray or load, it should be inserted into
the eye from the inside of the load, so that in the event of a leg
of the sling becoming momentarily slack, the hook will remain
engaged in the eye.
4. Every hook should be provided with an efficient safety
device to prevent the displacement of the load from the hook.
206
5. Hooks should be inspected periodically to ensure that

they have not been bent by overloading. Bent or sprung hooks
must not be re-used.
14.7.6.3. Wire ropes
1. Wire ropes should be of adequate strength for the fre-
quency and type of intended use and selected in accordance Contents
with ISO 16625:2013 Cranes and hoists – Selection of wire

ropes, drums and sheaves.
2. The guaranteed minimum breaking load should not be
less than the product of the safe working load and a factor of
safety.
3. Hoisting ropes should be in one length without any
joins. If the lengthening of a cable is unavoidable, it should
be done by an approved method, such as fitting a thimble and
shackle. In such cases, the safe working load should be reduced
by an appropriate amount. It may also be necessary to fit larger
sheaves if the connection needs to pass over them.
4. Wire rope slings may be endless, that is, formed by
jointing the two ends of the rope, or have a variety of termina-
tions and splices.
5. The safe working load should be marked on every wire
rope.
6. Wire ropes should be inspected for:
a) severe corrosion;
b) local wear or shiny spots on the outer surface;
c) reduction of diameter; a one third reduction of diameter is
not safe;
d) distortion or other damage of end fittings;
e) distortion of wire rope structure; and
f) an excessive number of broken wires.
207
14.7.6.4. Synthetic fibre ropes

1. Fibre rope and synthetic web slings are used primarily
for lifting machinery units and piping equipment. They are also
the best choice for use for valuable loads, highly finished parts,
fragile components and delicate equipment.
2. Fibre rope deteriorates upon contact with acids and Contents
caustics. Fibre rope slings should not therefore be used with

such substances, unless the manufacturer recommends them
for that use.
3. Inspection of fibre rope slings is carried out by exam-
ining the surface for cuts, gouges or worn surface areas, dry,
brittle, scorched or discoloured fibres, or melted fibres. Where
defects are observed, the rope must be discarded. Fibre rope
slings cannot be repaired. The interior of fibre ropes should
be inspected. It should be clean. A build-up of powder on the
inside of a fibre rope indicates excessive internal wear.
14.7.6.5. Safe operation of lifting gear
1. Lifting hooks, clamps, wires, lines, shackles, lugs, lever-
pullers and chain-blocks must be controlled visually by the
operator before lifting.
2. Workers must ensure that all lifting gear:
a) has permanently affixed and legible identification markings
as prescribed by the manufacturer indicating the recom-
mended safe working load for the type(s) of hitch(es) used,
the angle upon which it is based, and the number of legs if
more than one;
b) is not loaded in excess of its recommended safe working
load as prescribed on the identification markings by the
manufacturer; and
c) is not used without the affixed and legible identification
markings, as required.
208
14.7.6.6. Shackles
1. The diameter of the body and pin of a shackle are indi-
cated, as well as its safe working load, which must be taken into
consideration at all times. Shackle pins are always larger than
the body of the shackle. Shackles are usually manufactured
from two types of steel, grade T (800 N per mm2) and grade M Contents
(400 N per mm2).
2. When pairs of shackles are selected for a job, both
should have the same safe working load. Size may be misleading,
as grade T shackles are approximately twice the strength of
grade M shackles.
3. The safe working load of a shackle in a sling should
always be equal to the sling, the increased stress due to an angle
in the arrangement being duly taken into account.
4. “Dee” shackles should be used for straight pull applica-
tions and “bow” shackles where a number of slings pull at dif-
ferent angles. Where shackles are permanently rigged, the pins
should be locked by mousing a screw collar pin or by a split
cotter pin on a nut and bolt pin.
5. A shackle should not be used on a sling unless it is
fitted with a proper shackle pin; an ordinary bolt or piece of
steel bar should not be used.
6. When used in normal slinging applications, the screw
pins of shackles should only be done up hand-tight and mon-
itored on a continuous basis. However, the pins should be
secured with seizing wire to keep them from coming undone.
14.8. The use of robots and modern technology
1. Accidents involving robots could include:
a) the arm of the robot causes the accident through an
unpredicted movement caused by component or software
malfunctions;
209
b) a workers’ limb or other body part can be trapped between

a robot’s arm and other peripheral equipment;
c) a gripper mechanism or an accessory of the robot’s mechan-
ical parts fails; and
d) the power supplies to the robot are uncontrolled.
2. Particularly hazardous situations are likely to occur: Contents
a) if workers enter into the operating envelope of the robot;

b) when workers are in close proximity to the robot system for
programming, teaching, trouble shooting, maintenance or
repair purposes.
3. The employer should conduct a risk assessment for
all new and used robots and ancillary equipment prior to the
introduction of robot systems, and in case the robot has been
moved or modified. The risk assessment should determine the
controls and safety features necessary to achieve and maintain
a safe work environment for workers.
4. The employer should train and instruct workers in
the safe operation and maintenance of the robot system and
ancillary equipment. Competent persons with the required
technical skills should be available at the shipbuilding and ship
repair facility to oversee the installation, deployment, mainte-
nance and repair of robot applications, and the implementation
of all related control strategies.
5. All robots should comply with nationally and interna-
tionally recognized instruments and be provided with the tech-
nical information as to their design and use. They should be
designed:
a) to prevent exposure of workers to components, gears, drive
belts or linkages;
b) so that loss of electrical power, voltage surges, or changes in oil
or air pressure do not impair the safe operation of the system;
210
c) so that hazards caused by breaking, loosening, or releasing

stored energy are minimized;
d) to prevent unauthorized or unintended modification of
operating parameters; and
e) with layers of protection and redundancy built into safety
systems. Contents
6. All robots should be installed safely in accordance with

the manufacturer’s instructions and relevant nationally and
internationally recognized instruments.
7. Each robot should have customized safety control fea-
tures, depending on the particular hazards and risks of the
robot.
8. Common safety features to prevent unauthorized
access into the operating envelope of the robot include:
a) interlocked perimeter guards around the operating envelope
of the robot with safety sensors that ensure doors are closed;
b) flashing lights, signs, whistles or horn to indicate the robot
application is in use;
c) safety light curtains, laser scanners, pressure-sensitive safety
mats or other presence sensing devices to stop the robot in
case of unauthorized access;
d) two-hand operating controls; and
e) emergency stop devices.
9. Robots should be maintained and repaired only by the
manufacturer or by a competent person. Lockout and tag-out
standards should be followed. When motion of the robot
system is required for maintenance, it should occur in manual
mode at a speed that is less than full machine speed.
10. These abovementioned safety features and control
measures should be inspected at regular intervals.
211
15. Competence, education and training
15.1. General
1. In this section and in the context of shipbuilding and Contents
ship repair, the word “training” shall be taken to mean either
“education” or “training” or both as appropriate.
2. The necessary OSH competence requirements should
be defined by the employer based on the provisions of national
laws or regulations or, in the absence thereof, in consultation
with worker representatives. Appropriate training arrange-
ments should be established and maintained to ensure that all
workers are competent to perform the safety and health aspects
of their present or planned duties and responsibilities.
3. The employer should have, or should have access to, suf-
ficient OSH competence to identify and eliminate or control
work-related hazards and risks, and to implement the OSH
management system. Specific training needs can be identified
from the initial and ongoing hazard identification, risk assess-
ment, control and evaluation processes.
4. Training programmes should:
a) cover all workers at the shipbuilding and ship repair
facility, including contractors and subcontractors, as
appropriate;
b) be conducted by competent persons;
c) provide, in a manner and language understood by workers,
effective and timely initial practical and theoretical training
before commencement of duties and refresher trainings at
appropriate intervals, or further to significant changes in
risk levels for workers or in their functions;
213
d) include participants’ feedback and evaluation of their com-

prehension and retention of the training with a view to the
continuous improvement of the training;
e) be reviewed periodically by the safety and health com-
mittee, where it exists, or by the employer in consultation
with workers or their representatives, and modified as nec- Contents
essary; and
f) be documented.
5. The form and the content of training should be devised
and implemented in consultation with workers or their repre-
sentatives. Training should be in accordance with the needs
identified and include:
a) pertinent aspects of OSH legislation, codes of practice
and instructions on the prevention of accidents and dis-
ease and any collective agreement, such as the obligations,
responsibilities, duties and rights of competent authorities,
employers, contractors, subcontractors and workers;
b) the nature and degree of hazards or risks to safety and
health which may occur, including any factors which may
influence that risk, such as appropriate hygiene practices;
c) the correct and effective use of prevention, control and pro-
tection measures, especially engineering controls, and the
worker’s own responsibility for using such measures properly;
d) operating procedures while working at high-hazard work
spaces;
e) correct methods for the handling of substances, the opera-
tion of processes and equipment, and for storage, transport
and waste disposal;
f) ergonomically correct methods for the handling of mate-
rials and tools;
214
g) assessments, reviews and exposure measurements, and the

rights and duties of workers in this regard;
h) the role of health surveillance, the rights and duties of
workers in this regard, and access to information;
i) instructions on PPE as may be necessary, its significance,
correct use and limitations, and in particular on factors Contents
which may show inadequacy or malfunction of the equip-

ment, and the measures which may be required for the
workers to protect themselves;
j) hazard warning signs and symbols for hazardous ambient
factors which may occur;
k) procedures to be followed in an emergency, emergency
measures, rescue, firefighting and fire prevention, and first
aid;
l) appropriate hygiene practices to prevent, for example, the
transmission of hazardous substances off site; and
m) cleaning, maintenance, storage and waste disposal, to
the extent that these may cause exposure for the workers
concerned.
6. Training should be provided to all participants at no
cost and should take place during working hours. If this is not
possible, the timing and other arrangements should be agreed
upon between the employer and worker representatives, taking
into account the needs of workers with family responsibilities.
7. Employers should ensure that training and information
requirements and procedures are kept under review, as part of
the assessment review and documentation.
8. Before commencing work, on-site pre-work briefings
should be completed which cover the scope of work, work
method, identification of key hazards and risk assessment. Such
215
briefings should be given to all workers on site, including contrac-

tors, subcontractors and other third parties. All relevant safety
permits should be completed before work is commenced and the
worksites should be supervised and examined to the same stand-
ards that exist for the shipbuilding and ship repair operation.
Contents
15.2. Qualification of managers and supervisors
1. Managers and supervisors should be in possession of an
appropriate qualification and training, or have gained sufficient
knowledge, skills and experience to qualify on the basis of com-
petence, to ensure that they are able to:
a) plan and organize safe shipbuilding and ship repair oper-
ations, including identification of hazards, assessments of
risks and the implementation of preventive measures;
b) establish, implement and maintain an OSH management
system;
c) monitor the status of safety and health in those operations
for which they are responsible; and
d) take remedial action in the event of non-compliance with
requirements.
2. Managers should receive technical and other training
to allow them to fulfil their responsibilities for OSH.
15.3. Qualification and training for workers
1. Workers should be assigned and only perform work
for which they have the required level of skills, knowledge and
training.
2. Employers should ensure that all workers, including
contractors, subcontractors and their workers, are:
a) sufficiently educated and trained in the tasks they are
assigned to and possess the relevant skills certificates;
216
b) suitably instructed in the hazards connected with their

work and environment, as well as trained in the precautions
necessary to avoid accidents and injuries to health;
c) made aware of the relevant laws, regulations, requirements,
codes of practice, instructions and advice relating to preven-
tion of accidents and diseases; Contents
d) informed of their individual and collective responsibility for

safety and health; and
e) sufficiently instructed in the correct use and effects of PPE
and its appropriate care, and have training made available to
them, as appropriate.
15.4. Qualifications of contractors, subcontractors
and other third parties
1. Contracts for services should contain standard clauses
requiring contractors to employ only workers and subcontrac-
tors who possess relevant skills, and to comply with nationally
and internationally recognized instruments and establishment
OSH requirements.
2. The OSH management systems of contractors and sub-
contractors and their OSH record should carry similar weight
to other performance factors when considering the choice of
contractors and subcontractors.
217
16. Personal protective equipment
and protective clothing
1. In accordance with section 3.4, paragraph 3, only where

adequate protection against exposure to hazardous ambient
factors through the elimination of hazards/risks, their control
at source, minimization by the design of safe work systems and
collective measures cannot be ensured and all other measures
are either impracticable or could not secure safe and healthy
working conditions, suitable PPE and protective clothing
should be provided and maintained by the employer.
2. The minimum requirements for mandatory PPE on the
shipbuilding and ship repair facility should be established and
communicated.
3. PPE and protective clothing should comply with tech-
nical standards set by the competent authority, or recognized
by national or international bodies, taking ergonomic princi-
ples into account, and be provided, as prescribed by national
laws and regulations:
a) having regard to the type of work, the gender of the worker
and based on a risk assessment;
b) without cost to the workers; and
c) in consultation with workers and their representatives.
4. A competent person having a full understanding of the
nature of the hazard and the type, range and performance of
the protection required should:
a) select suitable items of PPE and protective clothing; and
219
b) arrange that PPE and protective clothing are properly

stored, maintained, cleaned, examined, replaced and, if nec-
essary for health reasons, disinfected or sterilized at suitable
intervals, in accordance with nationally and internationally
recognized instruments or guidance set or otherwise recog-
nized by the competent authority. Contents
5. PPE should be issued as new to an individual worker

and not interchanged unless it has been maintained and prop-
erly sanitized.
6. Employers should provide workers with appropriate
instructions and means to enable them to use, maintain and
store PPE and protective clothing properly.
7. Workers should be required to:
a) make proper use of and take good care of PPE and protec-
tive clothing provided for their use;
b) use the provided PPE and protective clothing throughout the
time they are exposed to the risk that requires its use; and
c) examine PPE periodically to ensure that it is in good con-
dition and is replaced or repaired, as necessary, by the
employer, at no cost to the user.
8. PPE should be ergonomically designed and, as far as
practicable, should not restrict the user’s mobility or field of
vision, hearing or other sensory functions.
9. PPE that may be contaminated by materials hazardous
to health should not be laundered, cleaned or kept at workers’
homes. Accommodation for clothing should be provided when
protective clothing is required to be used or when there is a risk
of the contamination of outdoor clothing by hazardous mate-
rials. Changing facilities should be so situated and designed to
prevent the spread of contamination from protective clothing to
personal clothing and from one facility to another. Employers
220
16. Personal protective equipment and protective clothing
should ensure that workers do not take contaminated clothing

home and should provide for the cleaning of such clothing at
no cost to the worker.
10. Before reissuing the clothing or equipment, employers
should provide for the laundering, cleaning, disinfecting and
examination of protective clothing or equipment which has Contents
been used and may be contaminated by materials that are haz-

ardous to health.
11. In providing PPE and protective clothing, employers
should take into account that:
a) proper maintenance and use of PPE, including appropriate
behaviour of the user, are essential in providing the protec-
tion for which it is designed;
b) PPE itself may produce uncomfortable, unhealthy or unsafe
working conditions;
c) only the user is protected, while others coming into the
environment continue to be exposed;
d) PPE can provide a false sense of security, in particular when
it is not properly used or has lost its effectiveness as a result
of improper storage or maintenance; and
e) PPE may introduce additional hazards to the workforce.
12. PPE should meet the requirements of Chapters 7–14
with respect to each hazard identified at the facility, for example
heat and cold stress, noise exposure, hazardous substances and
vibration.
16.2. Clothing
1. Workers should wear the appropriate protective
clothing provided by the employer.
2. The clothing supplied should meet the following
requirements:
221
a) waterproof clothing and head coverings when working in

adverse weather conditions;
b) distinguishing clothing or reflective devices or otherwise
conspicuously visible material when there is regular expo-
sure to danger from moving vehicles; and
c) the ability of the material from which the clothing is made Contents
to resist penetration by chemicals, minimize heat stress,

release dust, resist catching fire and not discharge static elec-
tricity, as far as technologically possible.
16.3. Head protection
1. Safety helmets or hard hats to protect the head from
injury due to falling or flying objects, or due to striking against
objects or structures, should be worn by all persons, at all
times while in the shipbuilding and ship repair facility. It may
be necessary to carry different types of helmets for particular
activities.
2. In general, the shell of a helmet should be of one-piece
construction, with an adjustable cradle inside to support the
helmet on the wearer’s head and, where appropriate, particularly
for persons working overhead, a chinstrap to prevent the helmet
from falling off. The cradle and chinstrap should be properly
adjusted to ensure a snug fit as soon as the helmet is put on.
3. Any helmet that has been submitted to a heavy blow, even
if there are no evident signs of damage, should be discarded.
4. If splits or cracks appear, or if a helmet shows signs of
ageing or deterioration of the harness, the helmet should be
discarded.
5. Where there is a hazard of contact with exposed con-
ductive parts, only helmets made of non‑conducting material
should be used.
222
6. In addition to safety, consideration should also be

given to the physiological aspects of comfort for the wearer.
The helmet should be as light as possible, the harness should
be flexible and should not irritate or injure the wearer, and a
sweatband should be incorporated.
Contents
16.4. Face and eye protection
1. Clear or coloured goggles, a screen, a face shield or
other suitable device should be worn when there is likely expo-
sure to eye or face injury from airborne dust or flying particles,
dangerous substances, harmful heat, light or other radiation,
and in particular during welding, flame-cutting, grinding or
other hazardous work.
2. Face and eye protectors are available in a wide variety
of designs. Careful consideration should be given to the charac-
teristics of the respective hazard to ensure the selection of the
appropriate protector. Ordinary prescription (corrective) gog-
gles, unless manufactured to a safety standard, do not afford
protection. Goggles designed to be worn over ordinary pre-
scription glasses should be selected according to the hazards to
be protected against.
3. With the use of face and eye protectors, due attention
should be paid to comfort and efficiency.
16.5. Hand and foot protection
1. Hands and feet should be protected against physical,
chemical and other hazards. Protective gloves or gauntlets,
appropriate barrier creams and suitable protective clothing to
protect hands or the whole body, as required, should be worn
when exposed to heat radiation or while handling hot, haz-
ardous or other substances which might cause injury to the
skin.
223
2. Gloves give protection from the particular hazard of

the work being carried out and should be appropriate to that
type of work.
3. Footwear of an appropriate type should be employed in
workplaces where there is the likelihood of exposure to adverse
conditions or of injury from falling or crushing objects, hot or Contents
hazardous substances, sharp-edged tools or nails and slippery

wet surfaces.
4. Footwear with suitable insulated soles should be worn
by electricians or other workers who may be in contact with
live parts.
5. Appropriate safety footwear, such as shoes and boots,
should have firm, slip-resistant soles and reinforced toecaps and
should be worn properly at all times. Sandals and similar foot-
wear should not be worn when working.
6. Hand and foot protection should be available in appro-
priate sizes for those who are required to wear them.
7. Knee protectors may be necessary, especially where
work involves kneeling.
16.6. Respiratory protective equipment

1. Respiratory protective equipment, suitable for the par-
ticular environment, should be used when workers cannot be
protected against airborne dust, fumes, vapours or gases by
ventilation or other means. Workers should be trained in the
proper selection of filters, where appropriate.
2. Appropriate respiratory protective equipment should
be provided for work in conditions where there is a risk of
oxygen deficiency or exposure to poisonous, dangerous or irri-
tating fumes, dust or gases.
224
3. The selection of correct equipment is essential and

should be done in collaboration with those who need to wear
the equipment. Since there is a wide variety of equipment avail-
able, advice should be sought from competent persons on the
appropriate equipment for particular purposes. Different sizes
and models should be available to accommodate a broad range Contents
of facial types.
4. Workers should be trained in the use and care of equip-
ment so that they are able to inspect the respirator immediately
prior to each use to ensure that it is in proper working condi-
tion. The face piece incorporated in respirators and breathing
apparatus must be fitted correctly to prevent leakage. Beards
and whiskers are likely to interfere with the face seal, as may the
wearing of goggles, unless adequately designed for the purpose.
5. Respirators should be properly stored. Damage may
occur if they are not protected from physical and chemical
agents, such as vibration, sunlight, heat, extreme cold, excessive
moisture or damaging chemicals.
6. Each respirator should be used with an understanding
of its limitations based on a number of factors, such as the level
and duration of exposure, the characteristics of the chemical
and the service life of a respirator.
7. Workers should be medically evaluated for their ability
to wear a respirator safely before they are required to do so.
8. When negative pressure respiratory equipment is
required on a regular basis, it should not be used without a
proper documented fit test.
16.7. Hearing protection
1. Workers who by the nature of their duties are exposed
to high levels of noise should be provided with, and should
225
wear, ear protectors. Various types of hearing protectors are

available, including ear plugs and ear muffs, each of which may
be of different design standards. Protectors should be of a type
recommended as suitable for the particular circumstances and
climatic conditions. Hearing protectors should be made avail-
able at the entrance to the noisy space. Noisy areas should be Contents
indicated and warning signs displayed at the location.

2. Hearing protectors should be comfortable, and users
should be trained to use them properly. Special attention should
be paid to possible increased risk of accidents due to the use
of hearing protectors. Earmuffs reduce the capacity to locate
sound sources and prevent warning signals from being heard.
This is especially true for workers with considerable hearing
loss.
3. No model is suitable for all persons. Those wearing
hearing protectors should be able to choose from alternative
products that meet the attenuation criteria. Earplugs should
not be the only solution as not all people can wear them.
4. Hearing protectors only work well if they are well
maintained. Good maintenance consists of cleaning, changing
replaceable parts such as cushions, and overall monitoring of
the state of the hearing protector.
16.8. Protectors against radioactive contamination
1. Respirators, overalls, head coverings, gloves, tight-fit-
ting boiler suits, impermeable footwear and aprons appropriate
to the risks of radioactive contamination should be worn in
areas where unsealed radioactive sources are prepared or used.
16.9. Protection from falls
1. Fall protection equipment, attached to independent
lifelines or suitable anchorages should be worn where
226
protection against falls cannot be provided by other appro-

priate means; and life vests and life preservers where there is a
danger of falling into water. Workers should be provided with
and trained in the use of appropriate fall protection equipment,
such as harnesses and lifelines and, where necessary, shock-ab-
sorbing lanyards. Contents
2. Appropriate and timely rescue should be provided when

using fall-arrest equipment to prevent suspension trauma.
3. Workplaces and roadways in which there are fall haz-
ards or which border on a danger zone should be equipped with
devices which prevent workers from falling into or entering the
danger zone.
227
17. Special protection
17.1. Employment and social insurance

1. Employers should, as prescribed by national laws and Contents
regulations, or in accordance with national conditions and

practice:
a) ensure that every worker has an employment contract and
is covered by a scheme for workers’ compensation and social
protection; and
b) provide coverage, such as benefits in case of injury, sick-
ness, temporary and permanent disability through workers’
compensation in the event of occupational accidents and
diseases, and compensation for survivors in the event of
work-related death, for all workers in shipbuilding and ship
repair facilities, irrespective of their employment status.
17.2. Working hours
1. Any OSH policy or plan should provide for reasonable
working hours which should not exceed the number prescribed
by national laws and regulations or approved by labour inspec-
torates or in collective agreements, where applicable.
2. Working hours should be arranged so as to provide ade-
quate periods of rest which, as prescribed by national laws and
regulations, or approved by labour inspectorates or through
social dialogue, where applicable, should include:
a) short breaks during working hours, especially when the
work is strenuous, dangerous, monotonous or requires high
concentration, to enable workers to recover their vigilance
and physical fitness;
229
b) sufficient breaks for meals;

c) daily or nightly rest; and
d) weekly rest.
17.3. Night work
1. In view of the hazardous nature of shipbuilding and Contents
ship repair, the consequences of fatigue on accidents frequency,

severity and health should be considered.
2. Specific measures required by the nature of night
work should be applied progressively. Such measures should
comprise:
a) health assessments to identify and monitor health problems
associated with night work; and
b) compensation in the form of working time, pay or similar
benefits, and appropriate social services.
3. The employer should take the necessary measures to
maintain the same level of protection against occupational haz-
ards during night work, as by day, in particular avoiding, as far
as possible, the isolation of workers.
4. Where night work is required, lighting and other safety
and health conditions should be managed to ensure that risks
do not exceed those in daytime operations.
17.4. Working alone
1. Working alone should be avoided. If it is necessary, the
employer should take appropriate measures for the protection
of workers working alone or in isolation.
17.5. Fatigue
1. Fatigue can be a contributing factor to dangerous
occurrences or serious accidents because workers may not be
230
alert or able to quickly respond to changing circumstances.

In addition, prolonged fatigue can lead to long-term health
problems.
2. Fatigue results from a number of factors, including
environmental conditions, such as excessive heat, cold or noise;
physical or mental overexertion; and/or insufficient rest and Contents
sleep between activities (for example, from poor quality sleep).

The inter-related causes of fatigue include:
a) time of day that work takes place;
b) length of time spent at work and in work-related duties;
c) type and duration of work tasks and the environment in
which they are performed;
d) the ergonomic design of workstations and the environment
in which work is performed;
e) quantity and quality of rest obtained prior to and after a
work period;
f) activities outside work, such as family commitments or a
second job; and
g) individual factors, such as sleep disorders.
3. Acute fatigue is caused by immediate episodes of sleep
deprivation; for example, because of long periods of wakeful-
ness from excessively long shifts or night shifts without ade-
quate daytime rest. Ongoing sleep disruption can lead to sleep
debt and chronic sleep deprivation, placing individuals in a
state of increased risk to themselves and to others. It results
in:
a) unpleasant muscular weariness;
b) tiredness in everyday activities; and
c) reduced coordination and alertness.
231
If sleep deprivation continues, work performance can deterio-

rate even further.
4. Fatigue can result from features of the work and the
workplace and from features of a worker’s life outside work.
Levels of work-related fatigue are similar for different individuals
performing the same tasks. Contents
5. Work-related fatigue can and should be assessed and

managed at an organizational level. The contribution of non-
work-related factors varies considerably between individuals.
Non-work-related fatigue is best managed at an individual level.
6. Work-related causes of fatigue include:
a) aspects of the tasks being undertaken (for example, greater
workload within standard shifts);
b) roster design (for example, too many consecutive night shifts);
c) unplanned work, overtime, emergencies, breakdowns and
call-outs;
d) features of the working environment (such as noise or tem-
perature extremes); and
e) commuting times.
7. Non-work-related causes of fatigue include:
a) sleep disruption due to ill family members;
b) strenuous activities outside work, such as a second job;
c) sleep disorders;
d) inappropriate use of alcohol, prescription and illegal drugs;
and
e) stress associated with financial difficulties or domestic
responsibilities.
8. A fatigue risk assessment should be carried out and
a written fatigue management programme drawn up for all
232
operations and in accordance with national laws if national

laws prescribe. The fatigue management programme should
specify working-time arrangements where workers:
a) carry out work between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m.;
b) work more than 48 hours in any consecutive five-day period
(working on each day) including unplanned work, emergen- Contents
cies, overtime, breakdowns and call-outs; or

c) do not have a minimum of two consecutive days off in any
seven-day period.
Additional fatigue hazards identified during the risk assess-
ment should be included in the plan.
9. The risk assessment and the fatigue management plan
should be developed in consultation with workers and their
representatives, and there should be a demonstrated commit-
ment from all parties that it will be supported by the whole
organization. It should cover the rosters, roles and responsibili-
ties of managers, professional staff, contractors, subcontractors,
those who work on planned rosters and unplanned work such
as overtime and call-outs. Commuting times as well as suita-
bility of employer-provided accommodation should also be
considered.
10. Daily and weekly working hours should be arranged so
as to provide adequate periods of rest which, as prescribed by
national laws or approved by inspectorates or collective agree-
ments, where applicable, should include:
a) appropriate breaks during working hours, especially when
the work is strenuous, dangerous or monotonous, to enable
workers to recover their vigilance and physical fitness;
b) sufficient breaks for meals;
c) daily or nightly rest; and
233
d) weekly rest.
Extended workdays (above eight hours) should be contem-
plated only if:
a) the nature of the work and the workload permit; and
b) the shift system is designed to minimize the accumulation Contents
of fatigue.
11. Any changes in work schedules that could affect OSH
should be preceded by full consultation with the workers and
their representatives.
17.6. Alcohol and drugs
1. Problems relating to alcohol and drug use may arise
from personal, family or social factors, or from certain work
situations, or from a combination of these elements. Such
problems not only have an adverse effect on the health and
well-being of workers, but may also cause difficulties at work,
including a deterioration in job performance. As there are mul-
tiple causes of alcohol- and drug-related problems, there are
consequently multiple approaches to prevention, assistance,
treatment and rehabilitation.
2. Alcohol and other drug policies and programmes should
promote the prevention, reduction and management of alcohol-
and drug-related problems in the workplace. Management and
workers and their representatives should cooperate in devel-
oping such programmes. The same restrictions or prohibitions
with respect to alcohol should apply to both management and
workers.
3. Testing of bodily samples for alcohol and drugs in the
context of employment involves moral, ethical and legal issues
of fundamental importance, requiring a determination of when
it is fair and appropriate to conduct such testing.
234
4. Workers who seek treatment and rehabilitation for

alcohol- or drug-related problems should not be disciplined or
discriminated against by the employer and should enjoy fun-
damental principles and rights at work in accordance with the
1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at
Work. Any information communicated should be treated with Contents
confidentiality.
5. It should be recognized that the employer has authority
to discipline workers for employment-related misconduct asso-
ciated with alcohol and drugs. However, counselling, treatment
and rehabilitation should be preferred to disciplinary action.
6. Further information can be found in the ILO code of
practice on management of alcohol‑ and drug-related issues in
the workplace (1996) and Alcohol and drug problems at work:
The shift to prevention (ILO, 2003).
17.7. HIV and AIDS
1. HIV and AIDS should be treated like any other chronic
illness/condition in the workplace.
2. The ILO HIV and AIDS Recommendation, 2010 (No.
200), concerning HIV and AIDS and the world of work, and
the ILO code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work
(2001) should be instrumental in helping to prevent the spread
of the pandemic, mitigate its impact on workers and their fam-
ilies and provide social protection to help cope with the disease.
3. The work environment should be healthy and safe in
order to prevent transmission of HIV. Employers should take
steps to prevent the transmission of HIV and other blood-
borne pathogens, particularly with respect to emergency
response. Universal precaution should be applied with respect
to first aid and other medical procedures and to the handling
of other potentially infected material.
235
4. There should be no disciplinary action nor discrim-

ination against workers on the basis of ongoing medical
care or real or perceived HIV status. Real or perceived HIV
status should not be a cause for termination of employment.
Temporary absence from work because of illness or caregiving
duties related to HIV or AIDS should be treated in the same Contents
way as absences for other health reasons.

5. Persons with HIV-related illness should not be denied
the possibility of continuing to carry out their work, with rea-
sonable accommodation if necessary, for as long as they are
medically fit to do so. Measures to redeploy such persons to
work reasonably adapted to their abilities, to find other work
through training or to facilitate their return to work should be
encouraged.
6. In workplaces, it is recommended to have an HIV and
AIDS policy and programme, the successful implementation
of which requires cooperation and trust between employers,
workers and their representatives. The active participation
of both men and women should be promoted in the HIV
response, regardless of sexual orientation.
7. When there is a possibility of exposure to HIV at work,
workers should receive education and training on modes of
transmission and measures to prevent exposure and infection.
Awareness-raising measures should emphasize that HIV is not
transmitted by casual physical contact and that the presence of
a person living with HIV should not be considered a workplace
hazard.
8. There should be no discrimination against workers
living with HIV or AIDS in access to, and receipt of, benefits
from statutory social security programmes and occupational
health services.
236
18. Welfare

1. At, or within reasonable access of, every shipbuilding Contents
or repair location or premises, the following facilities should
be provided for both women and men, kept clean and
maintained:
a) sanitary and washing facilities or showers;
b) facilities for changing and for the storage and drying of
clothing; and
c) accommodation for taking meals which can also be used as
shelter during interruptions of work due to adverse weather
conditions.
2. All workers should have access to an occupational med-
ical service.
3. The scale of the above facilities, and their construction
and installation, should comply with the requirements of the
4. The welfare facilities should be provided with a view to
avoiding the physical and psychological discomfort caused, in
particular, by a crowded, unsafe, unhealthy and unstable living
environment and a lack of privacy.
18.2. Drinking water
1. An adequate supply of wholesome drinking water of
suitable temperature should be provided at, or within reason-
able access of, every shipbuilding and ship repair facility.
2. The communal use of glasses or other drinking water
receptacles should be prohibited.
237
3. All drinking water should be from a source approved

by the competent authority.
4. Transport tanks, storage tanks and dispensing con-
tainers should be designed, used, cleaned and disinfected at
suitable intervals in a manner approved by the competent
authority. Contents
5. Water that is unfit to drink should be conspicuously

indicated by notices prohibiting workers from drinking it.
18.3. Sanitary and washing facilities
1. Adequate sanitary and washing facilities, including
hot and cold or warm running water, together with soap or
other cleaning materials and towels or other drying equipment,
should be provided by the employer to enable workers to meet a
standard of personal hygiene consistent with the adequate con-
trol of exposure and the need to avoid the spread of materials
hazardous to health.
2. Sanitary and washing facilities should be conveniently
accessible, but situated so that they are not themselves exposed
to contamination from the workplace. The type of facilities
should be related to the nature and degree of exposure. Where
workers are exposed to skin contamination by poisonous, infec-
tious or irritating substances, or oil, grease or dust, there should
be a sufficient number of appropriate sanitary and washing
facilities or showers.
3. Suitable toilets should be provided by the employer
with hand washing facilities and soap. Toilets, washing facili-
ties and areas set aside for eating should be kept clean and in a
hygienic condition by the employer.
4. Electric showers should be connected to an earthing
system.
238
18. Welfare
18.4. Facilities for changing and storing clothing

1. Separate facilities for changing and storing clothing
should be provided for women and men workers at easily acces-
sible places, and should include suitable facilities for:
a) drying wet clothes, which should not be used for any other
purpose; and Contents
b) changing clothing including, where necessary to avoid con-

tamination, suitable lockers separating work from street
clothing.
2. Facilities for storing personal clothing should be pro-
vided for each worker when protective clothing is used or when
there is a risk of the contamination of personal clothing by haz-
ardous materials.
3. Facilities for changing and storing clothing should be
so situated and designed as to prevent the spread of contami-
nation from protective clothing to personal clothing, and from
one facility to another.
4. Suitable arrangements should be made for disinfecting
facilities for changing and storing clothing and lockers, in con-
formity with the requirements of the competent authority.
18.5. Facilities and shelters for food and drink
1. Facilities and shelters should be made available, at
or within easy access of the worksite, for protection from
inclement weather and for washing, taking meals and for
drying and storing clothing.
2. In appropriate cases, adequate facilities for heating,
warming, obtaining or preparing food and drink should be
provided at, or near, a shipbuilding and ship repair facility.
3. In order to reduce the risk of ingesting materials haz-
ardous to health, employers should prohibit eating, chewing,
239
drinking or smoking in work areas in which adequate control

of exposure can only be achieved by workers wearing PPE to
prevent exposure to materials hazardous to health and in any
other area where such materials are likely to be present.
4. Where it is necessary to prohibit eating or drinking,
suitable facilities should be set aside for these activities to be Contents
carried out in an uncontaminated area, which should be con-

veniently accessible from the work area.
5. Food and drink facilities should not have a direct
connection to sanitary facilities, but should be equipped with
a hand basin and soap in addition to a supply of wholesome
drinking water. These facilities should have washable non-slip
floors.
18.6. Living accommodation
1. Suitable living accommodation should be made avail-
able for the workers at shipbuilding or ship repair facilities
which are remote from their homes, where adequate transpor-
tation between the facility and their homes or other suitable
living accommodation is not available.
2. Where collective housing is provided for workers who
are single or are separated from their families, the competent
authority should establish housing standards that provide, as a
minimum, for:
a) a separate bed for each worker;
b) a separate locker for keeping personal belongings;
c) separate accommodation of the sexes;
d) an adequate supply of potable water;
e) adequate sanitary and washing facilities;
f) adequate ventilation and, where appropriate, heating;
240
18. Welfare
g) canteens; and
h) rest and recreation facilities.
3. The competent authority, if appropriate, should iden-
tify the agency or agencies responsible for providing such living
accommodation and should specify the minimum standards
for housing, including its construction material, minimum size Contents
and layout of accommodation, cooking, washing, storage, water

supply and sanitary facilities.
4. In cases where housing is provided by the employer, the
accommodation should comply with minimum housing stand-
ards established by the competent authority in the light of local
conditions.
241
Bibliography
The International Labour Conference (ILC) has adopted

a large number of international labour Conventions and
Recommendations directly concerned with OSH. The ILO has Contents
also developed many codes of practice, guidelines and technical

publications applicable to shipbuilding and ship repair. They
represent a body of definitions, principles, obligations, duties
and rights, as well as technical guidance that reflects the con-
sensual views of the ILO’s tripartite constituents from its 187
member States on most aspects of OSH.
1. Relevant ILO Conventions and Recommendations
1.1. Fundamental ILO Conventions
and accompanying Recommendations
Freedom of association
a) the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to
Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87); and
b) the Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining
Convention, 1949 (No. 98).
The elimination of forced labour
a) the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29), and the
Protocol of 2014; and
b) the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105).
The abolition of child labour
a) the Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138), and the
Minimum Age Recommendation, 1973 (No. 146); and
b) the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999
(No. 182), and the Worst Forms of Child Labour
Recommendation, 1999 (No. 190).
243
The elimination of discrimination

a) the Discrimination (Employment and Occupation)
Convention, 1958 (No. 111), and the Discrimination
(Employment and Occupation) Recommendation, 1958
(No. 111); and
b) the Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100), Contents
and the Equal Remuneration Recommendation, 1951

(No. 90).
1.2. Conventions and Recommendations on occupational safety
and health and working conditions
a) the Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 1);
b) the Weekly Rest (Industry) Convention, 1921 (No. 14);
c) the Forty-Hour Week Convention, 1935 (No. 47);
d) the Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81), and the
Labour Inspection Recommendation, 1947 (No. 81);
e) the Radiation Protection Convention (No. 115), and the
Radiation Protection Recommendation, 1960 (No. 114);
f) the Reduction of Hours of Work Recommendation, 1962
(No. 116);
g) the Employment Injury Benefits Convention (No. 121), and
the Employment Injury Benefits Recommendation, 1964
(No. 121);
h) the Holidays with Pay Convention (Revised), 1970 (No.
132);
i) the Workers’ Representatives Convention (No. 135), and
the Workers’ Representatives Recommendation, 1971 (No.
143);
j) the Occupational Cancer Convention (No. 139), and the
Occupational Cancer Recommendation, 1974 (No. 147);
244
Bibliography
k) the Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and

Vibration) Convention (No. 148), and the Working
Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration)
Recommendation, 1977 (No. 156);
l) the Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work)
Convention, 1979 (No. 152), and the Occupational Contents
Safety and Health (Dock Work) Recommendation, 1979

(No. 160);
m) the Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981
(No. 155), and the Occupational Safety and Health
n) Protocol of 2002 (recording and notification of occupa-
tional accidents and diseases) to the Occupational Safety
and Health Convention, 1981;
o) the Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985
(No. 161), and the Occupational Health Services
p) the Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), and the Asbestos
q) the Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170), and the
Chemicals Recommendation, 1990 (No. 177);
r) the Night Work Convention, 1990 (No. 171), and the Night
Work Recommendation, 1990 (No. 178);
s) the Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention,
1993 (No. 174), and the Prevention of Major Industrial
Accidents Recommendation, 1993 (No. 181);
t) the Part-Time Work Convention, 1994 (No. 175);
u) the Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183),
and the Maternity Protection Recommendation, 2000
(No. 191);
245
v) the List of Occupational Diseases Recommendation, 2002

(No. 194), (as well as the ILO List of Occupational Diseases
(revised 2010)); and
w) the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and
Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187), and the Promotional
Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Contents
Recommendation, 2006 (No. 197).

1.3. Other ILO Conventions and Recommendations
a) the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997
(No. 181), and the Private Employment Agencies
Recommendation, 1997 (No. 188); and
b) the Social Protection Floors Recommendation, 2012
(No. 202).
2. Selected ILO codes of practice with provisions relevant
and applicable to the shipbuilding and ship repair industry
a) Safety and health in shipbuilding and ship repairing, 1974;
b) Protection of workers against noise and vibration in the
working environment, 1977. Third impression (with modifi-
cations), 1984;
c) Occupational exposure to airborne substances harmful to
health, 1980;
d) Safety and health in the construction of fixed offshore installa-
tions in the petroleum industry, 1981;
e) Safety in the use of asbestos, 1984;
f) Safety, health and working conditions in the transfer of tech-
nology to developing countries, 1988;
g) Prevention of major industrial accidents, 1991;
h) Safety in the use of chemicals at work, 1993;
246
Bibliography
i) Management of alcohol- and drug-related issues in the work-

place, 1996;
j) Recording and notification of occupational accidents and dis-
eases, 1996;
k) Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996.
Second impression, 1997; Contents
l) Protection of workers’ personal data, 1997;

m) Ambient factors in the workplace, 2001;
n) Safety in the use of synthetic vitreous fibre insulation wools
(glass wool, rock wool, slag wool), 2001;
o) An ILO code of practice on HIV/AIDS and the world of work,
2001;
p) Safety and health in the iron and steel industry, 2005; and
q) Safety and health in the use of machinery, 2013.
3. Relevant publications
ILO. 1989. Organisation of first aid in the workplace,
Occupational Safety and Health Series, No. 63.
—. 1994. Protection of workers from power frequency electric and
magnetic fields: A practical guide, Occupational Safety and
Health Series, No. 69.
—. 1997. Dust control in the working environment (silicosis),
Occupational Safety and Health Series, No. 36.
—. 1998. ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and
Rights at Work and its Follow‑up, International Labour
Conference, 86th Session.
—. 1998. Technical and ethical guidelines for workers’ health
surveillance, Occupational Safety and Health Series,
No. 72.
247
—. 2001. Guidelines on occupational safety and health manage-

ment systems, ILO–OSH 2001.
—. 2003. Alcohol and drug problems at work: The shift to
prevention.
—. 2006. Resolution concerning asbestos.
—. 2012. Encyclopaedia of occupational health and safety, online
Contents
edition.
—. 2013. Training Package on Workplace Risk Assessment and
Management for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
—. 2013. 10 Keys for Gender Sensitive OSH Practice –
Guidelines for Gender Mainstreaming in Occupational Safety
and Health.
—. 2014. A 5 step guide for employers, workers and their repre-
sentatives on conducting workplace risk assessments.
—. 2017. Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning
Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy (fifth edition,
2017).
—. and WHO. 2007. Outline for the Development of National
Programmes for Elimination of Asbestos-Related Diseases.
IMO. 2015. International Convention for the Prevention of
Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol
of 1978 relating thereto and by the Protocol of 1997
(MARPOL).
Singapore Workplace Safety and Health (Shipbuilding and
Ship-Repairing) Regulations 2008 (No. S 270).
United Nations. 2015. Globally harmonized system of classifica-
tion and labelling of Chemicals (GHS) (GHS, Rev. 6).
US Department of Labor. 2015. Shipyard Industry Standards
(OSHA 2268-11R).
248
Appendix I
Workers’ health surveillance

(adapted from ILO Technical and ethical guidelines
for workers’ health surveillance, 1998) Contents
1. General principles
1. Competent authorities should ensure that laws and
regulations governing workers’ health surveillance are properly
applied.
2. Workers’ health surveillance should be carried out in
consultation with workers and/or their representatives:
a) with the central purpose of the primary prevention of occu-
pational and work-related injuries and diseases; and
b) under controlled conditions within an organized frame-
work, as may be prescribed by national laws and regulations
and in accordance with the Occupational Health Services
Convention, 1985 (No. 161), and the Occupational Health
Services Recommendation, 1985 (No. 171), and the ILO
Technical and ethical guidelines for workers’ health sur-
veillance, Occupational Safety and Health Series, No. 72
(Geneva, 1998).
2. Organization
1. The organization of workers’ health surveillance at dif-
ferent levels (national, industry, enterprise) should take into
account:
a) the need for a thorough investigation of all work-related fac-
tors and the nature of the occupational hazards and risks in
the workplace which may affect workers’ health;
249
b) the health requirements of the work and the health status of

the working population;
c) the relevant laws and regulations and the available resources;
d) the awareness of workers and employers of the functions
and purposes of such surveillance; and
Contents
e) the fact that surveillance is not a substitute for monitoring
and control of the working environment.
2. In accordance with the needs and available resources,
workers’ health surveillance should be carried out at the
national, industry, enterprise and/or other appropriate levels.
Provided that surveillance is carried out or supervised by quali-
fied occupational health professionals, as prescribed by national
laws and regulations, it can be undertaken by:
a) occupational health services established in a variety of set-
tings, for example within an enterprise or among enterprises;
b) occupational health consultants;
c) the occupational and/or public health facilities available in
the community where the enterprise is located;
d) social security institutions;
e) worker-run centres;
f) contracted professional institutions or other bodies author-
ized by the competent authority; or
g) a combination of any of the above.
3. A comprehensive system of workers’ health surveillance
should:
a) include individual and collective health assessments, occu-
pational injury and disease recording and notification,
sentinel event notification, surveys, investigations and
inspections;
250
Appendix I
b) comprise the collection of information from various sources,

and analysis and evaluation with regard to quality and
intended use; and
c) determine action and follow-up, including:
i) guidance on health policies and OSH programmes;
and Contents
ii) early warning capabilities so that the competent

authority, employers, workers and their representatives,
occupational health professionals and research institu-
tions can be alerted to existing or emerging OSH prob-
lems.
3. Assessment
1. Medical examinations and consultations, as the most
commonly used means of health assessment of individual
workers, either as part of screening programmes or on an
as-needed basis, should serve the following purposes:
a) the assessment of the health of workers in relation to haz-
ards or risks, giving special attention to workers with specific
needs for protection in relation to their health condition;
b) detection of pre-clinical and clinical abnormalities at a point
when intervention is beneficial to the health of the individual;
c) prevention of further deterioration in workers’ health;
d) evaluation of the effectiveness of control measures in the
workplace;
e) reinforcement of safe methods of work and health mainte-
nance; and
f) assessment of fitness for a particular type of work, with due
regard to the adaptation of the workplace to the worker,
taking into account individual susceptibility.
251
2. Pre-assignment medical examinations, where appro-

priate, carried out before or shortly after employment or assign-
ment, should:
a) collect information which serves as a baseline for future
health surveillance; and
b) be adapted to the type of work, vocational fitness criteria Contents
and workplace hazards.

3. During employment, medical examinations should
take place at periodic intervals, as prescribed by national laws
and regulations, and be appropriate to the occupational risks of
the enterprise. These examinations should also be repeated:
a) on resumption of work after a prolonged absence for health
reasons; and
b) at the request of the worker, for example, in the case of a
change of work and, in particular, a change of work for
health reasons.
4. Where persons have been exposed to hazards and, as
a consequence, there is a significant risk to their health in the
long term, suitable arrangements should be made for post-em-
ployment medical surveillance for the purposes of ensuring the
early diagnosis and treatment of such diseases.
5. Biological tests and other investigations should be pre-
scribed by national laws and regulations. They should be subject
to the worker’s informed consent and performed according to
the highest professional standards and least possible risk. These
tests and investigations should not introduce unnecessary new
hazards to the workers.
6. Genetic screening should be prohibited or limited to
cases explicitly authorized by national legislation, in accordance
with the ILO code of practice on protection of workers’ per-
sonal data (1997).
252
Appendix I
4. Collection, processing, communication and use of data

1. Workers’ personal medical data should:
a) be collected and stored in conformity with medical confi-
dentiality, in accordance with the ILO code of practice on
protection of workers’ personal data (1997); and
b) be used to protect the health of workers (physical, mental Contents
and social well-being) individually and collectively, in

accordance with the ILO Technical and ethical guidelines for
workers’ health surveillance.
2. The results and records of workers’ health surveillance
should:
a) be clearly explained by professional health personnel to the
workers concerned or to persons of their choice;
b) not be used for unwarranted discrimination, for which
there should be recourse in national law and practice;
c) be made available, where requested by the competent
authority, to any other party agreed by both employers and
workers, to prepare appropriate health statistics and epi-
demiological studies, provided anonymity is maintained,
where this may aid in the recognition and control of occu-
pational injuries and diseases; and
d) be kept for the time and under the conditions prescribed
by national laws and regulations, with appropriate arrange-
ments to ensure that workers’ health surveillance records are
securely maintained in the case of establishments that have
closed down.
253
Appendix II
Surveillance of the working environment

(based on the Occupational Health Services
Recommendation, 1985 (No. 171)) Contents
1. The surveillance of the working environment should

include:
a) identification and evaluation of the hazards and risks which
may affect workers’ safety and health;
b) assessment of conditions of occupational hygiene and fac-
tors in the organization of work which may give rise to haz-
ards or risks to the safety and health of workers;
c) assessment of collective and personal protective equipment;
d) assessment where appropriate of exposure of workers to haz-
ardous agents by valid and generally accepted monitoring
methods; and
e) assessment of control systems designed to eliminate or
reduce exposure.
2. Such surveillance should be carried out in liaison with
the other technical services of the undertaking and in coop-
eration with the workers concerned and their representatives
in the undertaking and/or the safety and health committee,
where they exist.
3. In accordance with national law and practice, data
resulting from the surveillance of the working environment
should be recorded in an appropriate manner and be available
to the employer, the workers and their representatives in the
undertaking concerned or the safety and health committee,
where they exist.
255
4. These data should be used on a confidential basis and

solely to provide guidance and advice on measures to improve
the working environment and the safety and health of workers.
5. The competent authority should have access to these
data. They may only be communicated to others with the agree-
ment of the employer and the workers or their representatives Contents
in the undertaking or the safety and health committee, where

they exist.
6. The surveillance of the working environment should
entail such visits by the personnel providing occupational
health services as may be necessary to examine factors in the
working environment which may affect workers’ health, envi-
ronmental health conditions at the workplace and working
conditions.
7. Without prejudice to the responsibility of each
employer for the safety and health of workers in their employ-
ment, and with due regard to the necessity for workers to
participate in occupational safety and health (OSH) matters,
personnel providing occupational health services should have
such of the following functions as are adequate and appropriate
to the occupational risks of the undertaking:
a) carrying out monitoring of workers’ exposure to hazards
and risks, when necessary;
b) advising on the possible impact on the workers’ health of
the use of technologies;
c) participating in and advising on the selection of the equip-
ment necessary for the personal protection of the workers
against occupational hazards;
d) collaborating in job analysis and in the study of organiza-
tion and methods of work with a view to securing a better
adaptation of work to the workers;
256
Appendix II
e) participating in the analysis of occupational accidents

and occupational diseases and in accident prevention pro-
grammes; and
f) supervising sanitary installations and other facilities for the
workers, such as drinking water, canteens and living accom-
modation, when provided by the employer. Contents
8. Personnel providing occupational health services

should, after informing the employer, workers and their repre-
sentatives, where appropriate:
a) have free access to all workplaces, and to the installations,
the undertaking provides for workers;
b) have access to information concerning the processes, perfor-
mance standards, products, materials and substances used,
or the use of which is envisaged, subject to their preserving
the confidentiality of any secret information they may learn
which does not affect the safety and health of workers; and
c) be able to take, for the purpose of analysis, samples of prod-
ucts, materials and substances used or handled.
9. Personnel providing occupational health services should
be consulted concerning proposed modifications in work pro-
cesses or in conditions of work liable to have an effect on the
safety or health of workers.
257
and ship repair
The shipbuilding and ship repair industry is of strategic importance
to many member States of the ILO.
This revised code of practice, adopted by a Meeting of Experts in
January 2018, reflects the development of modern ILO instruments
on occupational safety and health (OSH) and the changes in the
industry in the past 44 years since an earlier code was adopted.
The revised code promotes a preventative safety and health culture
in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is
respected at all levels, where government, employers and workers
actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working
environment through a system of defined rights, responsibilities
and duties, and where the principle of prevention is accorded the
highest priority. It further promotes OSH management systems
as well as cooperation between employers and workers and their
representatives. The revised code contains comprehensive guidance
on how to improve OSH in the industry and sets out how governments,
shipowners, employers, workers and their representatives should
work together in doing so.

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Safety and health

Safety and health in shipbuilding

Safety and health in shipbuilding

INTERNATIONAL LABOUR OFFICE • GENEVA

Produced by the Document and Publications Production,

The ILO Code of practice on safety and health in ship-

ILO Sectoral codes of practice are reference tools setting out

under the ILO’s international labour standards. Sectoral codes

guidance adopted and endorsed by the International Labour

3.2.1. Worker participation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

7.1. General provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

7.6. Multiple people carriers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

7.13. Fire prevention and firefighting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

8.1. General requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

9.4.2. Paints and tank coatings dissolved

9.6.2. Piping. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

10.2. Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

11.6.4. Distribution boxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

14.3.3. Cartridge-operated tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

14.5. Abrasive wheels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

15.2. Qualification of managers and supervisors . . . . . . . 216

18.4. Facilities for changing and storing clothing . . . . . . 238

I. Workers’ health surveillance

In this code of practice (“code”), the following terms are

Guard rail: An adequately secured rail erected along an

Occupational disease: A disease contracted as a result of an

activities and helps maintain an effective OSH management

Subcontractor: A person or an enterprise being contracted by

1. In accordance with the decision taken by the Governing

Repair was convened in Geneva from 22 to 26 January 2018

in the workplace, while Chapter 8 concerns operational plan-

concerns safety requirements for tools, machines and equip-

1.1. Purpose and objectives

g) improving OSH knowledge and competence in shipbuilding

dry dock, building dock, slipway, workshops of contractors or

provisions of relevant ILO instruments, including Conventions,

2.1. Cooperation Contents

1. This code recognizes that effective OSH systems require

required for the evaluation of any hazards or risks to safety

safety and health in shipbuilding and ship repair.

3. The competent authority should establish, in accord-

b) systems and criteria for assessing the relevance of the

substances, or are allowed to use them but only under con-

through a consultative process involving employer and worker

9. The competent authority should establish, apply, and

1. Inspectorates designated by the competent authority

c) notify the employer, the workers concerned and their rep-

e) periodically determine whether an existing OSH manage-

3. Employers should set out in writing their respective

4. Employers, in consultation with workers and their rep-

d) education and training to managers, supervisors and

f) investigate accidents, illnesses and incidents, in cooperation

of special hazards. They should also make available to the rep-

to those concerned any special hazards and related protective

13. Whenever two or more employers undertake activities

19. When managers or supervisors observe non-compli-

nication and coordination between appropriate levels of the