Safety Fundamentals for Ratings
Core shipboard safety habits drawn from the MEK oral material: PPE, lifting, hot work, electrical and chemical safety.
Safety questions appear throughout Merchant Navy study material. These fundamentals summarise points that appear in the supplied oral notes.
Personal protective equipment
Wear the right PPE for the job: safety helmet, eye protection, gloves, safety shoes and, for chemicals, a full-sleeve boiler suit, chemical-proof goggles, latex gloves and a face mask.
Tools and lifting
- Keep hand tools clean and free of oil and grease.
- Use the right size and type of tool.
- Check the safe working load of lifting gear before use.
Hot work and electrical work
Take a hot work permit, keep a fire extinguisher nearby and keep flammable items away. Before electrical work, stop the machine, switch off the supply, take out the fuse and test that the circuit is dead.
Emergencies
Know the alarms and your muster station. On hearing a CO2 alarm, leave the engine room by the emergency escape route.