Page 37 - CHIRP Annual Digest 2017

CHIRP Annual Digest 2017

to. http://www.pla.co.uk/assets/codeofpracticeforpassen- Painting aloft – how secure is
gervesseloperations2016.pdf your ladder and what are the
consequences of you falling?
I hope that you are able to share the above and perhaps
direct operators from other areas to this guidance - you will
see that it is endorsed by all relevant marine bodies”.

CHIRP Comment
CHIRP was disappointed not to receive a response from
the operators, but the Maritime Advisory Board are pleased
to support the advice given in the Port of London Author-
ity Passenger Vessel Operations Code of Practice for the
Tidal Thames and would note that much of the content is
applicable both nationally and internationally with respect
to safe operations.

The above article was published in MFB 46

Article. 27 What the Reporter told us (2):
Whilst moored and carrying out administrative tasks on the
Passenger vessel safety bridge, I noticed a crew member on the ferry docked nearby,
working (painting) on a scaffolding at approximately three to
OUTLINE: CHIRP has received several reports regarding four metres above the deck, without wearing any PPE at all
both domestic and international passenger vessels outlin- (no safety harness, helmet, safety goggles or gloves). Not
ing failings in safety management. only this, but when the scaffolding was moved a few metres
by other crew members, the worker stayed on top of it hold-
What the Reporter told us (1): ing onto the rails. A shocking sight indeed!
I was on a cruise earlier this year. As an ex-mariner I was
shocked by the occasional unseamanlike behaviour of the CHIRP Comment
deck crew. The following was noted - small things possibly, The Maritime Advisory Board commented that in both
but indicative of the culture on board. I contacted the ship reports the hazards do not appear to have been managed,
managers but their response was less than helpful so I indicating a poor level of safety culture and leadership. It
wrote to the company. Their comments are in italics. was questioned whether the “two metre rule” is detracting
from the use of a permit to work (which should take into
• Mooring crew left a stairwell gate swinging even though account the specific location of the work, and potential haz-
it had a securing device. The next six crew-members who ards). COSWP Chapters 8, 11, 17 refer. MAIB have investi-
went through that gate left it open, swinging gently. They gated several fatalities caused by falls from height, whilst
all knew the vessel was proceeding to sea MARS and CHIRP both have reports related to working aloft,
• Personnel painting cable runs in the deck-head. On one so the issue still requires close attention.
occasion a safety harness was worn but was not used,
the second time, (see photo), a safety harness was not What the Reporter told us (3):
worn. The photograph shows the crew member up a ladder On passage between the mainland and an island aboard
and being supported below by another crew member. a domestic passenger vessel, no safety briefing was pro-
Whilst the Code of Safe Working Practices does allow for vided although the public-address system was used by tour
this control measure to be used, this is still ‘working at guides to broadcast information of general interest in five
height’. The Code lists the control measures that should languages. Time on passage was approximately 50 min-
be in place and the approved onboard risk assessment utes. On the return passage on a similar company vessel,
allows for ladder use in such a reduced height task such no safety briefing was provided.
as this. Note the ladder is supported below. In this instance
the practicality of securing a safety harness in a confined The only exit marked with an ‘’EXIT” sign on the middle deck
place such as this would have likely been more hazardous was at the aft end. Doors located towards the bow on this
than the fall. deck were not marked and were not seen to be used. The
• I watched an AB sharpening his scraper with a disc deck plan of this vessel, according to the company website,
grinder. The disc was facing upwards and turning whilst depicts these doors as being capable of use, each opening
he laid the scraper on it. Guests were walking past while onto an exterior passage.
this was going on but rather than go down to a workshop,
put the scraper in a vice and do it properly, he put himself Railings on the gangway, once lowered to enable passengers
and passengers at risk. This was likely very isolated and to board and to disembark, left a significant gap to the fixed
will be brought up at toolbox talks with the deck crew to railings at the stern of the vessel. When schoolchildren were
ensure power tools are used safely. seen to walk across this area, a crew member standing on
the deck extended an arm to ensure that there was no gap
between the rails, but this protection was not provided for
adult passengers.

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