(Ameneded
A.330(IX))
Adopted on 20 November 1973
Agenda item 10
RECOMMENDATION ON SAFE ACCESS TO AND WORKING IN LARGE TANKS, AND
RECOMMENDATION ON SAFE ACCESS TO AND WORKING IN LARGE CARGO HOLDS OF BULK
CARRIERS
THE
ASSEMBLY,
NOTING
Article 16(i) of the Convention on the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative
Organization concerning the functions of the Assembly,
RECOGNIZING
that with the increasing size of tankers and bulk carriers and the associated
increase in the dimensions of tanks and cargo holds of such vessels, there is a
need for improving safe access to and working in those spaces,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the Recommendation by the Maritime Safety Committee at its
twenty-sixth session,
ADOPTS
the Recommendation on Safe Access to and Working in Large Tanks and the
Recommendation on Safe Access to and Working in Large Cargo Holds of Bulk
Carriers, the texts of which are set out in the Annexes to this Resolution,
AGREES
that in respect of Ore/Bulk/Oil Carriers or Ore/Oil Carriers, the more
stringent requirements of the two Recommendations should apply, according to
the nature of the carriage and the characteristics of the space in question,
INVITES
all governments concerned to take steps to give effect to the Recommendations
as soon as possible.
ANNEX I
RECOMMENDATION ON SAFE ACCESS TO AND WORKING IN LARGE TANKS
Safe
access to cargo tanks can only be provided on the assumption that an adequate
standard of tank cleaning and ventilation is achieved prior to entry.
Sludge
accumulation on platforms and ladders should be kept to a minimum consistent
with operational practice. Where appropriate, consideration should be given to
preventing the build-up of sludge on access platforms and horizontal
structures in general by suitable design of tank structure and positioning of
washing machines. Sludge accumulation on the tank bottom should be controlled
by an efficient tank draining system.No personnel should enter any cargo tank
without a suitable breathing apparatus before the air in the tank has been
tested by a responsible officer using an approved gas measuring device and
found to be free of gas, containing sufficient oxygen and safe for inspection
or work.
An
adequate supply of fresh air is to be available for all men working within a tank
having due regard to the nature and location of the work.
ACCESS
TO TANKS
1. (a) Tanks,
and subdivisions of tanks, having lengths of 35 metres and above should be
fitted with at least two access hatchways and ladders, as far apart as
practicable longitudinally.
(b) Tanks less than 35 metres in length
should be served by at least one access hatchway and ladder.
(c) The dimensions of any access hatchway
should be sufficient to allow a person wearing a self-contained breathing
apparatus to ascend or descend the ladder without obstruction and also to
provide a clear opening to facilitate the hoisting of an injured person from
the bottom of the tank. In no case should the clear opening be less than 600 mm
x 600 mm.
(d) When a tank is subdivided by one or more
wash bulkheads at least two hatchways should be fitted, and these hatchways
should be so located that the associated ladders effectively serve all
subdivisions of the tank.
ACCESS
WITHIN TANKS
2. (a) Where
one or more wash bulkheads are fitted in a tank they should be provided with
openings not less than 600 mm x 800 mm and so arranged as to facilitate the
access of persons wearing breathing apparatus or carrying a stretcher with a
patient.
(b) To provide ease of movement on the tank
bottom throughout the length and breadth of the tank, a passageway should be
fitted on the upper part of the bottom structure of each tank, or
alternatively, manholes having at least the dimensions of 600 mm x 800 mm
should be arranged in the floors at a height of not more than 600 mm from the
bottom shell plating. Passageways in the tanks should have a minimum width of
600 mm considering the requirement for the possibility of carrying an
unconscious person. Elevated passageways should be provided with guard rails
over their entire length. Where guard rails are provided on one side only,
footrails should be fitted on the opposite side. Shelves and platforms forming
a part of the access to the tanks should be of non-skid construction where
practicable and be fitted with guard rails. Guard rails should be fitted to
bulkhead and side stringers when such structures are being used for recognized
access.
(c) Access to elevated passageways from the
ships bottom should be provided by means of easily accessible passageways,
ladders or treads. Treads shall provide lateral support for the foot. Where
rungs of ladders are fitted against a vertical surface, the distance from the
centre of the rungs to that surface shall be at least 150 mm.
(d) Where manholes are fitted access should
be facilitated by means of steps and handgrips with platform landings on each
side.
(e) When the height of the bottom structure
does not exceed 1.50 metres, the passageways required under paragraph 2(b) may
be replaced by alternative arrangements having regard to the bottom structure
and the requirement for ease of access of a person wearing a self-contained
breathing apparatus or carrying a stretcher with a patient.
(f) Guard rails should be 900 mm in height
and consist of a rail and intermediate bar. These guard rails should be of
substantial construction.
CONSTRUCTION
OF LADDERS
3. (a) In
general, the ladders should not be inclined at an angle exceeding 70. The
flights of ladders should not be more than 9 metres in actual length. Resting
platforms of adequate dimensions should be provided.
(b) Ladders and handrails should be
constructed of steel of adequate strength and stiffness and securely attached
to the tank structure by stays. The method of support and length of stay should
be such that vibration is reduced to a practical minimum.
(c) Provision should be made for maintaining
the structural strength of the ladders and railings taking into account the
corrosive effect of the cargo.
(d) The width of ladders between stringers
should not be less than 400 mm.
(e) The treads should be equally spaced at a
distance apart measured vertically not exceeding 300 mm. They should be formed
of two square steel bars of not less than 22 mm by 22 mm in section fitted to
form a horizontal step with the edges pointing upward, or of equivalent
construction. The treads should be carried through the side stringers and
attached thereto by double continuous welding.
(f) All sloping ladders should be provided
with handrails of substantial construction on both sides fitted at a convenient
distance above the treads.
RESCUE
AND EVACUATION ARRANGEMENTS
4. (a) For
fast evacuation of injured personnel out of a tank, the following equipment
should be provided:
(i) a portable davit with facility for manual operation of
lightweight construction, suitable for securely positioning over tank access;
(ii) a cage or suitable stretcher fitted with guidelines at the lower
end.
(b) All access openings to the tank should
be opened up and the stretcher and hoist should be positioned so as to be
readily available before the tank is entered.
ANNEX II
RECOMMENDATION ON SAFE ACCESS TO AND WORKING IN LARGE CARGO HOLDS
OF BULK CARRIERS
Safe
access to cargo holds can only be provided on the assumption that adequate
ventilation of the holds is provided for the protection of personnel prior to
their entry. Consideration should be given to preventing the accumulation of
hazardous or noxious vapours in the holds by appropriate ventilation. No
personnel should enter a hold that has been battened down for a long time or
poorly ventilated before the oxygen content of the air in the hold has been
observed by a responsible officer using an oxygen meter or equivalent device
and found to be safe for inspection or work.
An
adequate supply of fresh air is to be available for all men working within the
cargo hold having due regard to the nature and location of the work.
ACCESS
TO CARGO HOLDS
1. (a) If
separate hatches are used as access to the ladders required by paragraph 2,
each hatch should
have
a clear opening of at least 600 mm x 600 mm.
(b) When the access to the cargo hold is
arranged through the cargo hatch, the top of the ladder should be placed as
close as possible to the hatch coaming.
(c) Accesses and ladders should be so
arranged that personnel equipped with self-contained breathing apparatus may
readily enter and leave the cargo hold.