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Unit Aims, Objectives and Prerequisites
C.4.2 - Safe working aboard container vessels

1. Unit Aims

This Unit is designed:

1. To stress the dangers encountered in working aboard container vessels at berth.
2. To explain the respective safety responsibilities of the parties involved in loading and discharging container vessels.
3. To describe the status of international safety standards relating to working aboard container vessels at berth, and how they are implemented in ports.
4. To describe the procedures that ensure safe access to vessels, safe movement about vessels and safe access to and working within cargo spaces.
5. To describe the emergency procedures required for the safe and prompt evacuation of personnel from a vessel and from a hold.

2. Unit Objectives

After completing this Unit, the learner will be able to:

1. List and explain the five main reasons why accidents occur while working aboard a container vessel.
2. State what international standards apply to safe working aboard vessels in port and explain how they are applied at the terminal.
3. List the standard and special items of protective clothing and equipment to be worn when working aboard a container vessel, and outline the reasons for using them.
4. Name the five groups of general requirements for safe access to the vessel, explain what those requirements mean in practice, and state who is responsible for meeting them.
5. List the eight safe means of access to the vessel, and outline the main features provided and precautions to be taken when using them.
6. Name the four categories of safety requirements relating to safe access to the work area, and outline the precautions necessary to maintain safety while moving around the vessel.
7. State where responsibility lies for the safety of ship’s plant and equipment, how their safety is ensured, and what steps should be taken by terminal staff to check their safety before use.
8. Name and describe the five safe means of access to above-deck container stacks, and explain the precautions necessary when using them.
9. List and explain the safety rules to be followed when working on above-deck container stacks.
10. Describe the dangers faced when gaining access to and working in the holds and cargo spaces of container vessels, and explain the safety rules and precautions to be followed to overcome those risks.
11. Identify the three categories of emergencies that can arise when working aboard the vessel, describe the nature and causes of the emergencies in each category, and outline the procedures that must be established and followed for responding to them.
12. List the three main safety aspects of finishing work, describe the safety procedures to be followed, and outline the reasons for doing so.
13. Define, recognize the best definition of, or distinguish between true and false statements concerning, the technical terms used in the Unit, as listed in sections 3 and 4 below.

3. Unit Prerequisites

It is assumed that trainees will, before starting this Unit, have completed successfully the following Units or will have demonstrated (for example by successfully completing the Tests for those Units) their understanding of the topics covered by them:

• Container terminal operations (C.1.1)
• Container ship loading and discharging operations (C.1.2)
• Container ship construction (C.2.1)
• Safe working on container terminals (C.4.1)