SAFETY ALERT

No. 1/2023 - SAFE TRANSFER OF PERSONS BETWEEN VESSELS AT ANCHORAGES

INTRODUCTION

There has been an increase of incidents where personnel falling overboard during transfer between vessels at the anchorages. These incidents have resulted in injuries and loss of lives, which could have been prevented.

The purpose of this safety notice is to raise awareness of all personnel (ship, shore) working over water when boarding vessels at the anchorages.

RECOMMENDATIONS

To prevent incidents during transfer between vessels at the anchorages, the following measures should be considered:

  • Risk Assessment: It is important for personnel to understand the hazards and the risks associated with the tasks they are undertaking when transferring between vessels.
  • Favourable circumstances and conditions: Personnel should consider the weather conditions and sea state before deciding if to proceed with the transfer at the anchorages. The personnel should not proceed if he/she do not feel well.
  • Suitable boarding arrangements: Access to the vessel such as the accommodation ladder, pilot ladder and/or combination ladder, must be properly rigged and assessed safe for use by a responsible person from the vessel providing the boarding arrangements.
  • Situation awareness: Maintain good situation awareness at all times and exercise extreme caution. Be vigilant of the risks associated during the transfer operation.
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Personnel transferring between vessels should wear appropriate PPE, including a regularly serviced / inspected SOLAS type-approved life-jacket to keep them afloat should they fall into the water.
  • Maintain 3-points contact: Personnel when embarking or disembarking a vessel at anchorage, should always maintain a 3-point contact on the boarding arrangements at all times during the transfer.
  • Embarkation / disembarkation areas : Service boats embarkation / disembarkation areas shall be free of slipping or tripping hazards, have sufficient handholds/ railings, be free of obstructions, be within line-of-sight of the boat’s coxswain / operator, and be sufficiently illuminated during hours of darkness.
  • S.T.O.P : If in doubt, apply this rule of thumb “STOP, THINK, OBSERVE and PROCEED”

    • FOR FURTHER INFORMATION (See Annex 1)

    WSH Workplace Safety and Health (https://sso.agc.gov.sg/SL/WSHA2006 -RG1?DocDate=20221220#pr23-)

ANNEX 1 - WSH Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulation 23

Measures to be taken to prevent falls

23.—(1) It shall be the duty of the occupier of a workplace to ensure that all openings in floors of the workplace are securely covered or fenced unless the nature of the work renders such covering or fencing impracticable. [S 277/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(2) [Deleted by S 277/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(3) [Deleted by S 277/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(4) [Deleted by S 277/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(5) [Deleted by S 277/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(6) [Deleted by S 277/2014 wef 01/05/2014]

(7) Subject to paragraph (8), any person who has to work at a place from which he would be liable to fall — (a) a distance of more than 2 metres; or (b) into any substance which is likely to cause drowning or asphyxiation, shall be provided with a secure foothold and handhold at the place so far as is reasonably practicable for ensuring his safety.

(8) Where it is not reasonably practicable to provide a secure foothold or handhold as required under paragraph (7), other suitable means such as a safety harness or safety belt shall be provided for ensuring the safety of every person working at such places.

(9) Where a safety harness or safety belt is provided under paragraph (8) — (a) there shall be sufficient and secured anchorage, by means of a life line or otherwise for the safety harness or safety belt; and (b) the anchorage shall not be lower than the level of the working position of the person wearing the safety harness or safety belt.

(10) It shall be the duty of the employer of the person referred to in paragraph (7) to comply with paragraphs (7), (8) and (9).

(11) It shall be the duty of the employer of a person who is exposed to the risk of falling into water and of drowning to provide — (a) equipment and means of rescuing and resuscitating drowning persons; and (b) suitable life jackets or other equipment for keeping such persons afloat in the event that they fall into the water.

(12) No person shall require, permit or direct any person to work at a place from which he would be liable to fall — (a) a distance of more than 2 metres; or (b) into any substance which is likely to cause drowning or asphyxiation, unless the requirements of paragraphs (7), (8) and (9) have been complied with.

(13) Any person who contravenes paragraph (12) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or to both.