PTW & Risk Assessment
It is the responsibility of every single Officer to identify risks and that all jobs which have been identified as such will be covered by a risk assessment. No such risky job may start without a valid risk assessment.
Please refer to below risk assessment guidance and relevant chapters of COSWP.
Permit to Work (PTW) System
The Permit to Work (PTW) System procedure can be found at the following link: PTW-01 Permit to Work (PTW) System.
Lock Out - Tag Out (LOTO)
The LOTO procedure can be found at the following link: PTW-02 Lock Out - Tag Out (LOTO).
Seven Steps to Risk Assessment
Step 1: give brief description of activity.
Describe briefly task/activity, which may generate hazard.
Step 2: identify the hazards.
Determine how people could be harmed or damage made. Here are some tips to help identifying hazards:
- Walk around your workplace and look at what could reasonably be expected to cause harm.
- Ask you colleagues or other employees. They may have noticed things that are not immediately obvious to you.
- Consider published information on accidents and near misses on ships, which will highlight common hazards and high-risk activities.
- Refer to safety bulletin and safety alerts issued by the Company, Flag States, Industry (e.g. IMCA, USCG) or P&I clubs, which may produce very helpful guidance.
- Check manufacturers’ instructions or data sheets for chemicals and equipment because they can be very helpful in spelling out the hazards and putting them in their true perspective.
- Have a look back at your accident and ill-health records – these often help to identify less obvious hazards.
- Remember to think about long-term hazards to health (e.g. high levels of noise or exposure to harmful substances) as well as safety hazards.
- Consider people who may be particularly vulnerable (e.g. young persons or pregnant seafarers).
Step 3: decide who/what might be harmed and how.
For each hazard, you need to be clear about who might be harmed or what might be damaged, because this will help you to identify the best way of managing the risk. Groups of people should be identified (e.g. ‘people working in the store room’ or ‘passers-by’).
In each case, identify how they might be harmed, i.e. what type of injury or ill health might occur.
Step 4: evaluate the risks using risk matrix.
Having spotted the hazards, you then have to decide what to do about them. The law requires you to do everything ‘reasonably practicable’ (ALARP principle) to protect people from harm or assets from damage. You can work this out for yourself, but the easiest way is to compare what you are doing with good practice.
Step 5: decide on and implement control measures.
First, look at what you are already doing; think about what controls you have in place and how the work is organised. Then compare this with the good practice and see if there is more you should be doing to bring yourself up to standard. In asking yourself this, consider:
Can I get rid of the hazard altogether?
If not, how can I control the risks so that harm is unlikely?
When controlling risks, apply the principles below, if possible in the following order:
- try a less risky option (e.g. switch to using a less hazardous chemical);
- prevent access to the hazard (e.g. by guarding);
- organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard (e.g. put barriers between pedestrians and traffic);
- issue personal protective equipment (e.g. clothing, footwear, goggles); and
- provide welfare facilities (e.g. first-aid and washing facilities for removal of contamination).
Involve staff, so that you can be sure that what you propose to do will work in practice and won’t introduce any new hazards.
Putting the results of your risk assessment into practice will make a difference when looking after people and your operation.
A risk assessment does not have to perfect, but it must be suitable and sufficient. You need to be able to show that:
- a proper check was made;
- you asked who might be affected or what can be damaged;
- you dealt with all the obvious significant hazards, taking into account the number of people who could be involved;
- the precautions are reasonable, and the remaining risk is low; and
- you involved your staff or their representatives in the process.
Make a plan of action to deal with the most important things first. A good plan of action often includes a mixture of different things such as:
- a few cheap or easy improvements that can be done quickly, perhaps as a temporary solution until more reliable controls are in place; long-term solutions to those risks that are most likely to cause accidents or ill health;
- long-term solutions to those risks with the worst potential consequences;
- arrangements for training employees on the main risks that remain and how they are to be controlled;
- regular checks to make sure that the control measures stay in place; and
- clear responsibilities – who will lead on what action and by when.
Remember: prioritise and tackle the most important things first. As you complete each action, tick it off your plan.
Step 6: determine residual risk in accordance with tolerability criteria.
Subject to the level of residual risk, the following tolerability criteria applies:
- Low risk – may be acceptable, however, due care should be employed and task reviewed to see if the risk can be reduced further.
- Medium risk – task should only proceed with authorisation of Master or Manager. Where possible the task should be redefined and/or measures employed to reduce the residual risk.
- High risk – task must not proceed. It should be redefined or further control measures put in place to reduce the risk. Controls should be re-assessed prior to the task commencing.
Step 7: review your risk assessment and update if necessary.
Few workplaces stay the same. Sooner or later, you will bring in new equipment, substances and procedures that could lead to new hazards. It makes sense, therefore, to review what you are doing on an ongoing basis.
Look at your risk assessment and think about whether there have been any changes. Are there any improvements you still need to make? Have your seafarers spotted a problem? Have you learned anything from accidents or near misses? Make sure your risk assessment stays up to date.
Jobs shall be re-assessed when the circumstances like weather, daylight, equipment, competence of crew member, etc have changed.
Corresponding Risk Assessments should be carried to support Permit to Work system.
IMPORTANT:
Vessels must inform the office prior every hot work performed outside the workshops and prior entry into enclosed spaces.
Corresponsding risk assessments must be provided for office approval before proceeding with the job.
Jobs shall be re-assessed when the circumstances like weather, daylight, equipment, competence of crew member, etc have changed.
Risk Assessment Register
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Risk Assessment No |
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Revision Date |
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MOG-RA-001 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-002 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-003 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-004 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-005 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-006 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-007 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-008 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-009 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-010 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-011 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-012 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-013 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-014 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-015 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-016 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-017 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-018 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-019 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-020 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-021 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-022 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-023 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-024 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-025 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-026 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-027 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-028 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-029 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-030 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-031 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-032 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-033 |
26.04.2023 |
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MOG-RA-034 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-035 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-036 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-037 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-038 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-039 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-040 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-041 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-042 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-043 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-044 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-045 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-046 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-047 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-048 |
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MOG-RA-049 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-050 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-051 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-052 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-053 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-054 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-055 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-056 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-057 |
26.04.2023 |
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MOG-RA-058 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-059 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-060 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-061 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-062 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-063 |
12.06.2023 |
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MOG-RA-064 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-065 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-066 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-067 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-068 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-069 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-070 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-071 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-072 |
20.07.2022 |
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MOG-RA-073 |
20.07.2023 |
Toolbox Meetings |
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1. Purpose The purpose of this procedure is to provide guidance as to how toolbox talks should be conducted on board the vessel. 2. Scope This procedure applies to all vessels of the fleet. 3. Definitions 3.1 Hazard 3.2 Risk 3.3 Control Measures 4. Responsibilities The Master shall ensure that this procedure is followed. 5. Procedures The prime reasons for carrying out toolbox meetings are to make the crew aware of the safety aspects associated with a given task. Tool box talks are to be carried out to remind crew of any points raised during previous risk assessments as well as representing a means by which new risks or changes can be made known. 6. Procedures 6.1 Why should we carry out a Toolbox Talk? In general a toolbox talk should take place prior to a job taking place, especially, if there are changes from the normal. A toolbox meeting may therefore be required under the following circumstances;
6.3 What should be talked about?
Talk about work practices, machinery, tools, equipment, materials, attitudes, and anything else that may cause or contribute to a work-related accident or illness. 6.4 Toolbox Talk Reporting |
Register for Controlling Permits to Work and Isolations |
| All maintenance work on board the vessel is to be carried out in a coordinated manner to minimize: 1. the risk of injury to the crew 2. imperiling the vessel 3. polluting the environment The company operates a Permit To Work (PTW) system for various types of work and uses Lock Out & Tag Out (LOTO) to ensure that machinery, systems and equipment associated with the work is not inadvertently operated whilst out of service. It is important that the Safety Officer has a clear overview of all work being carried out and how different jobs might conflict with one another or interrupt the operation of the vessel. A Risk Assessment for simultaneous operations is to be carried out as necessary. A register for controlling permits to work and isolations is to be maintained on the Bridge using form SO-0110. When a PTW is issued it is to be sequentially numbered and the relevant information recorded on form SO-0110. Any padlocks used as part of the LOTO system are to be recorded also. Upon completion of the work, the PTW is closed and the Person in Charge is to ensure that all isolations are removed and the equipment returned to service.” |
Hot Work |
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Hot work is any procedure that might involve or have the potential to generate sufficient heat, sparks or flame to cause a fire. Hot work includes welding, flame cutting, soldering, brazing, grinding and the use of other equipment incorporating a flame, e.g. tar boilers, etc Hot Work Safety Do not operate equipment for welding and related thermal processes unless you are thoroughly familiar with the process and the equipment including the response to fire and emergencies, and have been approved as competent by the Chief Engineer. Preparation for hot work should include, without being limited to, the safety measures listed below. Reference should also be made to the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers. Hot Work within Port Limits Hot Work within Installation 500-meter zone Hot Work Procedure All relevant check lists and permits for hot work shall have been issued. Hot work permits must take account of the condition of bordering areas, spaces and pipework, which must be gas free. If work is being done outside the workshop the operator is to be accompanied by an assistant, protected like the operator. If work has to be done within a confined space the assistant should be placed outside, within view of the welder, and able to rapidly cut off the gas or power supplies. Work Site Tidy up the work site and ensure that it is free of any flammable materials, liquids and gases. Remove any such material from the work site (and adjacent spaces, including spaces above and below decks, behind bulkheads and inside pipes or containers which are to be worked on) to a safe distance. Cover any openings through which sparks may reach other areas, which have not been prepared for hot work. Gas Cylinders Store gas cylinders in suitable separate storage rooms above deck, with no ignition sources, and marked with "No Smoking" notices. Avoid excessive temperatures. Where installed, fixed gas distribution systems shall be used, to reduce the need to transport cylinders around the ship. Great care is required to ensure that outlets not in use are properly isolated and capped. Equipment All equipment must be checked by a competent person before use. If in any doubt about its condition or safety the Chief Engineer must be consulted. When not in use equipment should be cleaned and stowed in a dry safe place. Personal Protection When working, wear non-conducting safety shoes and a clean natural fibre boiler suit with long sleeves. Do not wear clothes of highly combustible materials or manmade fibres, or clothes that are wet, and do not carry combustible material, e.g. matches, lighters, oily rags. Never touch electrically live parts, e.g. the welding electrode, without being properly insulated. Dry leather welding gloves should always be used, and when appropriate a dry leather apron for protection against sparks, heat and electric shock. Use head and face protection (helmet, shield, goggles) according to the job. When work is interrupted or ended Always switch off the welding machine and close off the gas supply at the gas outlet station or cylinder valve, even during short breaks. Always remove the electrode from the electrode holder. |
Entry into Enclosed Spaces |
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Enclosed spaces are defined as any enclosed or confined spaces which are not continuously or normally ventilated and in which the atmosphere may be liable to have an adverse effect on the health of any person. Examples of such spaces are cargo, ballast, bunker or fresh water tanks, double bottoms, cofferdams, chain lockers boiler furnaces, pipes or flues and crankcases.
An Entry Permit must be completed and authorised immediately prior to entry into any enclosed space. The only exceptions to this rule are for emergency rescue purposes or where a valid entry permit issued by a shore authority covers the space. No person shall enter any cargo, ballast, or bunker tank, cofferdam, double bottom, peak tank or similar enclosed space unless: Particular attention to the maintenance of a gas free atmosphere is essential if adjacent compartments contain bulk volatile cargo. The O.O.W. shall be notified immediately on completion of the tank entry on each occasion of entry. When repetitive access is necessary, the entry permit conditions shall be revalidated after each meal break or similar interruption. NB: SCBA sets for emergency rescue from enclosed space must not be used for other purposes.
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Emergency entry into tanks and compartments |
| Whenever it becomes necessary to enter a tank or compartment under emergency circumstances the Master/Officer in charge must continuously supervise the operation and ensure that: 1. Personnel wear breathing apparatus. 2. Means of communication are provided and a system of signals is agreed and understood by the personnel engaged. 3. A back up BA team including a Senior Officer is in attendance at the entrance. 4. The number of personnel entering the compartment is restricted to the minimum necessary for the proposed work. |
Working aloft and Outboard |
| A man working at a height cannot give his full attention to the job in hand and at the same time guard himself from falling. Proper precautions should therefore be taken at all times. A stage or ladder must always be utilised when working beyond normal reach and safety. A safety harness or other device must be worn continuously when working aloft or outboard. Additionally, when work is done overside, life jackets or working life-vests must be worn. Before any work is commenced aloft, i.e. near the ship's whistle, or the funnel, or the radar scanner, all precautions should be taken to avoid any risk to the workers involved. Warning notices must be posted. Care must be taken when work is being done aloft or at a height, to avoid any risk to anyone working or moving below. Suitable warning notices must be displayed. Tools and stores should be sent up in suitable covered containers, which must be secured in place. The safety of the person aloft depends upon the strength of the line holding him, whether it is a lifeline to his harness or gantline to a bosun's chair or stage. A defective rope must never be used. Working from ladders should be avoided as far as possible, because there is a risk of over-balancing and falling. A safety harness with a lifeline secured along the position of work must be worn when working at a height above two metres. Any ladder must be securely lashed into position. |
Electrical Work |
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Auxiliary Machinery and Equipment Electrical Equipment Meter probes should have only minimum amounts of metal exposed and insulation of both probes should be in good condition. Care should be taken that the probes do not short circuit adjacent connections. When measuring voltages that are greater than 250v, the probe should be attached and removed with the circuit dead. |
Use of Hand held tools and Portable Electrical Equipment on Deck |
Servicing Radio and Associated Electronic Equipment |
| Any precautions against exposure to dangerous levels of microwave radiation recommended by manufacturers should be strictly followed. Radar sets should generally not be operated with wave-guides disconnected. However, if it is necessary for servicing purposed, special precautions should be taken. Work should not be taken within the marked safety radius of a Satellite Terminal Antenna unless its transmitter has been rendered inoperative. Eyes are particularly vulnerable to microwave and ultraviolet radiation. Care should be taken to avoid looking directly into a radar aerial and waveguide while it is in operation or where arcing or sparking is likely to occur. Exposure to dangerous levels of X-ray radiation may occur in the vicinity of faulty high voltage valves. Care should be exercised when fault tracing in the modulator circuits of radar equipment. An open circuited heater of such valves can lead to X-ray radiation where the anode voltage is in excess of 5000v. Vapours of some solvents used for degreasing are toxic, particularly carbon tetrachloride which should never be used. Great care should be exercised when using solvents particularly in confined spaces; there should be no smoking. Manufacturers’ instructions should be followed. Some dry recorder papers used in echo sounders and facsimile recorders give off toxic fumes in use. The equipment should be well ventilated to avoid inhalation of the fumes. Radio transmitters and radar equipment should not be operated when men are working the vicinity of aerials; the equipment should be isolated from main supply and radio transmitters earthed. When equipment has been isolated, warning notices should be placed on transmitting and radar equipment and at the main supply point, to prevent apparatus being switched on until clearance has been received from those concerned that they have finished the outside work. Aerials should be rigged out of reach of personnel standing at normal deck level or mounting easily accessible parts of the superstructure. If that is impracticable, safety screens should be erected. Notices warning of the danger of high voltage should be displayed near radio transmitter aerials and lead-through insulators. Additional Electrical Hazards From Radio Equipment Where accumulators are used they should be disconnected at source; otherwise precautions should be taken to prevent short circuiting the accumulator with consequent risk of burns. Live chassis connected to one side of the mains are usually marked appropriately and should be handled with caution. Where the mains are AC and a transformer is interposed, the chassis is usually connected to the earth side of the supply, but this should be verified using an appropriate meter. Modern equipment often embodies a Master crystal enclosed in an oven; the supply to the oven is taken from an independent source and is not disconnected when the transmitter is switched off and the mains switch is off. Mains voltage will be present inside the transmitter, care should be taken. Before work is begun of the EHT section of a transmitter or other HT apparatus, with the mains switched off, all HT capacitors should be discharged using an isolated jumper, inserting a resistor in the circuit to slow the rate of discharge. This precaution should be taken even where the capacitors have permanent discharge resistors fitted. An electrolytic capacitor that is suspect, or shows blistering, should be replaced, since it is liable to explode when electrical supply is on. There is a similar risk when an electrolytic capacitor is discharged by a short circuit. Work at or near live equipment should be avoided if possible but where it is essential for the safety of the ship or for testing purposes then the additional precautions should be taken. |
Handling of Hazardous Substances |
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General Handling of hazardous substances is part of the normal day routine aboard a ship. A full risk assessment needs to be carried out. Refer to Chapter 27 of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen. Onboard Standards It is important that the use of hazardous substances is carefully controlled onboard. Hazardous substances must only be stowed in designated areas. Full safety data must be available for all such substances onboard. Untrained personnel must not be allowed to use hazardous substances unsupervised. Hazardous Substances Stowage Hazardous substances should only be stowed onboard in designated stowage areas. There may be a number of these areas onboard, however the fewer areas there are, the easier the operation is to manage. All hazardous substances stowage areas must at least conform to the following minimum requirements:
The setting up of hazardous substances stowage area in itself will not increase hazardous substances handling awareness without training and guidance for all ships personnel. Prior to using hazardous substances a documented risk assessment should be carried out to identify all the possible hazards and the required precautions. Disposal of Hazardous Substances must be done in accordance with the vessels Garbage Management Plan.
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Diving Operations |
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