Dip in Marine & Offshore Technology

Marine Industry Safety

Confined Space Hazards and Risk Control

1. a) Define the term "confined space". Give one example of a (any) confined space in
new ship building work and in ship repair work.

b) Differentiate the terms "oxygen deficiency" and "oxygen enrichment" in confined

spaces. Give one example of when "oxygen deficiency" and "oxygen
enrichment" could occur and describe the hazards. Describe two risk controls you
would take to reduce or eliminate hazards due to "oxygen deficiency" and
"oxygen enrichment" in confined spaces.

2. a) Describe where four gases are commonly found in shiprepair yards and explain
why the gases are found in these areas.

b) Draw a simple line sketch of a tank and describe how these gases could be
detected using an explosimeter or combustible gas detector at various tank levels.

c) Describe the appropriate preventive actions you would take before workers are
allowed to enter a space which may contain the above gases in a).

3. a) Describe the term "ventilation". Describe five functions of ventilation in shipyard

work processes.

b) In ventilation, explain what is "supply" and "exhaust". Why it is important to

have both supply and exhaust in ventilation?

c) Explain what is a "local exhaust" and what is the common type of work process
local exhaust is required. Describe the nature of hazard if local exhaust
ventilation is not in place.

d) In crude oil cargo tanks, there can be a “cocktail” of other gases which may be
liberated from the remnant cargo residues (or un-pumpables). Describe two safe
work practices in performing gas checks to ensure these gases are purged off and
the atmospheric condition inside the tank safe for continual work.

e) Explain the main technical benefit for using a multi-gas detector in assessing the
tank condition instead of using the “traditional” explosive gas (or combustible gas)
meter.

4. a) Explain how the 2-tag system is used in managing evacuation and rescue in
confined spaces onboard ships in shipyards.

b) Describe the (ten) actions that must be taken before workers are allowed to enter
into a confined space. Explain why it is important to do so.

5. Obtain the relative humidity from the given Psychometric Chart if the dry thermometer
temperature is 30°C and the wet thermometer temperature is 25°C .
End
1
Dip in Marine & Offshore Technology
Marine Industry Safety

Fire & Explosion Hazards and Risk Control

1. a) When a flammable gas is mixed with air in the right proportion, an explosive gas-
air mixture is formed. Explain the terms "lower explosive limit (LEL), upper
explosive limit (UEL) and flammable range. Explain how fire (or explosion) could
occur in an explosive gas-air mixture.

b) Describe how flammable gases and toxic gases could be detected by the multi-gas
detector. Explain why a hot work job leader should carry a portable (personal) gas
detector.

2. a) Draw a simple table and answer the following:

i) State the five classes of fire.
ii) Based on your understanding of the fire triangle, describe the most effective
way to prevent such fires.
iii) If such fires do start, based on your understanding of the fire triangle describe
the most effective way to extinguish the fire.

Class of Fire How to prevent Methods used to Types of fire

such fires extinguish such extinguisher or
fires medium to use
Type A: e.g.
Rags, wood
Type B: e.g.
Oil, gas
Type C:
electrical
Type D:
metal
Type K:
Cooking media

3. Permit-to-work must be applied and approved before carrying out the following types
of work. Describe how the condition of the workplace could become hazardous.
Describe the risk control measures to be implemented in order to reduce the risk of
fires.

Types of work How the workplace could Risk control to prevent or

become hazardous reduce such hazards
Spray painting inside
confined spaces
Dismantling of valves
and pipelines
Bunkering or transfer of
fuel oil
Chemical cleaning of
boilers
Chemical cleaning of
electrical switchboards

End
2
Dip in Marine & Offshore Technology
Marine Industry Safety

Falling from Height Hazards and Risk Control

1. Working platforms in shipyards are provided for working at heights. These include
tower scaffolds, hanging stages and lifting gangways. Compare the three types of work
platforms using the following factors:

Types of working Tower Hanging Lifting

platforms scaffolds stages gangways
Types of materials used
to construct the platform
Methods of constructing
the working platforms
Methods used in
dismantling the platform
Types of hazards when
using the platforms
Risk controls when using
the platforms:
i)
ii)
iii)

2. While working at heights, items (objects) may accidently fall from height. Describe
five preventive measures in preventing falling objects when working at heights.

Types of work Hazards Preventive measures

Hint:
Construction of working
platform:
Hint:
Loads on platform:
Hint:
Loose objectives on
platform:
Hint:
Engineering control
should objects fall:
Hint:
Administrative control to
prevent falling objects:

End

3
Dip in Marine & Offshore Technology
Marine Industry Safety

Mechanical Lifting Hazards and Risk Control

1. a) Chain blocks are common lifting appliances used in the marine industry. Describe
five advantages when compared to pulley blocks in material handling.
[Hint: Mechanical advantage, Lifting distance, Working space required, Load
holding capability, durability of equipment]

b) Chain slings and steel wire slings are common lifting gears used in the marine
industry. Describe three advantages when compared to chain slings over the wire
slings in material handling particularly inside workshops.
[Hint: ease of use, storage space required, durability (mechanical wear)]

c) Lifting using fibre ropes are not allowed in the marine industry. Describe two
special cases where (polypropylene) fibre ropes are allowed to be used for lifting.
Explain why fibre ropes are allowed in these cases.
[Hint: sludge bags from tanks, scaffolding materials]

End

4
Dip in Marine & Offshore Technology
Marine Industry Safety

Electrical Hazards and Risk Control

1. a) A worker who was performing grinding work inside a ballast tank was
electrocuted (fatal) when using a portable electrical grinder. Investigations found
that the voltage of supply and portable equipment used was a 230V AC. The
portable grinder has not been registered and not approved by the shipyard for use.
The tank was not ventilated properly and the humidity inside the ballast tank is
high. As a result, the worker could have sweated profusely.

b) Based on the potential electrical hazards and possible injuries, describe five risk
control measures you would recommend in order to prevent similar incidents in
the future.

2. a) Portable electrical tool such as grinders are used to smoothen rough edges in steel
and pipe work. Describe three checks before they are taken out from the tool store
to the work site for use. Explain why such checks are important to prevent injury
due to electrical power.

b) The use of the electrical portable grinder is used to performing grinding in a

compartment that is partially flooded with water (after a brief rain shower).
Describe three hazards of using portable electrical equipment in such a working
condition. Describe the appropriate risk controls.
[Hints: equipment itself, wires, socket board]

3. a) When carrying out spray painting, describe the type of lighting appliances to be
used. Explain why it is important to have the power sockets to be located outside
the confined spaces.

b) In new ship building, confined spaces such as inside of compartments and tanks
are painted (multi-coats) inside blasting chambers. From the electrical safety view
point, describe two good practices to adopt when painting in blasting chambers.

4. a) Recommend three good practices to protect workers from electrical shocks when
using electrical portable tools.
[Hints: socket board with earth leakage circuit breaker (ELCB), no leakage of
cable and equipment itself, body and hands dry, wear insulating gloves

b) Recommend three good practices to protect workers from electrical shocks when
carrying out electrical equipment maintenance.
[Hints: isolate power from equipment itself, lock-out tag-out energy supply, use
insulated tools, wear insulating hand gloves]

End

5
Dip in Marine & Offshore Technology
Marine Industry Safety

Personal Protective Equipment (in the context of Risk Control)

1, List out seven standard personal protective equipments (PPEs), in the context of risk
control explain why these PPEs are considered the "last line of defense" to prevent
injuries when carrying out work. For each of the PPEs, give two examples of situations
(see illustrations).

PPE Protection injury to the: Why it is considered as last

line-of-defense
Hard hat Upper part of head Examples:
1, Environment where he
may knock his head
against some structure
could not be eliminated.
2, Falling objects from a
height in workplace where
many people are working
together at the same time
could not be avoided.
Ear muffs / plugs
Eye goggles
Cotton-type work clothes
Hand gloves
Safety belt
Shoes with hard toe cap

2. While working at heights, sometimes a worker may wear a safety belt, and at other
times he may wear a full-body harness to arrest a fall so as to prevent injury. Draw a
table and compare five advantages and limitations of the two types of PPE using the
following given factors:

Factors: Safety belt Full-body harness

anchor points
moving distance
prevention of falling injury
(should the person fall)
obstruction to work
training in using the PPE

3. a) In spray painting of a confined space, workers may wear full face mask with
supply air. Explain the importance of checking the supply end to the air-fed mask.

b) During spray painting of confined spaces, the air is cooled and dehumidified
where in such environment, the painter would not be affected by heat and
humidity. Explain why there is the need for the painters to wear air-fed masks.

End