Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Housekeeping and Safe Working Practices For Eng Room For Vessels
Housekeeping and Safe Working Practices For Eng Room For Vessels
Login
a
Blog
2
Proper housekeeping and safe ship working practices ensure a comfortable working environment
and are critical for staying safe on the open water. Establishing and following a set of health and
safety guidelines can keep ships functioning at an optimal level.
Privacy - Terms
In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about maintaining a clean, safe working
Contact a School Advisor
environment on your cargo ship, including:
Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
The ISM requires all cargo ships to establish a safety management system (SMS), document it and
keep a copy on board at all times. According to the ISM, every cargo ship safety code and
SMS should have:
An effective SMS summarizes important information and procedures in one place to guide overall
ship safety and compliance. You can further your safety knowledge by taking a course through
MITAGS to equip you and your crew members to understand and prepare for safe cargo ship
practices. If you have specific questions about how to implement a successful SMS strategy on
your vessel, the representatives at MITAGS can help.
2
SAFETY & EMERGENCY RESPONSE COURSES
Contact a School Advisor Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
Preventing engine room fires: Fire safety precautions on cargo ships include covering and
protecting all points of exhaust and ductwork, repairing fuel leaks immediately, replacing any
contaminated or damaged insulation, testing all thermometers and pressure gauges regularly and
having clearly marked fire-rated exit doors. Never allow smoking in the engine room, and avoid
leaving flammable materials in open containers. Install and regularly test a high-level fire
detection system. In addition, practice emergency fire procedures so each person knows what to
do and where to go in the event of a fire.
Maintaining personnel safety: To protect your ship’s crew and ensure your own personal safety
on board a ship, there are a few actions you can take. Make sure there are no loose bottom plates
in the engine room, as they are a tripping hazard. In addition, regularly clean your ladders and floor
plates to remove oily residue that could cause slippage. Avoid touching steam pipes, especially
with exposed skin. When in the engine room, all crew should wear safety-rated, dry clothing. No
crew member should ever operate machinery outside of their expertise, and all machines should
be used according to manufacturer guidelines.
Preventing engine or machinery failures: Scheduling cargo ship maintenance inspections can
help prevent engine and machine failures and address concerns before they grow into larger
issues. If concerns arise, have them addressed as soon as possible. Remember to replace
important parts, including gauges, as they age.
Keep lines of vision clear: While in the wheelhouse, check that all necessary areas are visible,
including the surrounding water and the work deck. Eliminate any objects that may obstruct the
view from the wheelhouse, including items on the deck. Avoid tinting wheelhouse windows —
instead, use an anti-glare screen or removable visor. Have wheelhouse windows cleaned each
time you are in port and have a plan to eliminate salt build-up while on the water if necessary.
Always follow environmental regulations when cleaning windows.
Inspect tools and equipment: Implement a regular equipment inspection plan, including visual
and performance inspections each time you prepare to leave port. Test that all whistles, horns
2
and signals are fully operational and have any broken or malfunctioning tools repaired or
replaced.
Test fire equipment: There should be at least one fire alarm signal and extinguishing system in or
near the wheelhouse. Ensure these features work before leaving port. You should also perform
regular inspections of the electrical cabling, so you know if any lines begin to fray or break.
Contact a School Advisor Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
Practice good hygiene: Hygiene is an essential component of wheelhouse safety. Create a
wheelhouse cleaning schedule where the crew disinfects and sanitizes all knobs, handles, chairs,
phones and equipment to prevent the spread of germs. Sweep or vacuum the floor regularly. Take
proper precautions to seal and rat-proof the wheelhouse to prevent the spread of disease and
keep sensitive cables safe.
Washing your hands when entering the galley or after using the restroom and drying them with
disposable towels.
2
Eliminating all spoiled or contaminated food promptly.
Clearly labeling food products and storing them at the appropriate temperatures.
Cleaning and disinfecting the galley and utensils each day.
Removing jewelry, including rings and watches, before working with food.
Treating and covering all open wounds.
Contact a School Advisor Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
Wearing gloves when working with food and changing them as they become contaminated.
Refraining from smoking in the galley.
Using an approved grease trap to catch all grease before discharging or treating kitchen waste.
Clothes should always be clean and laundered, including aprons. All hair, including facial hair, should
be neatly groomed and secured away from the food.
Wash and disinfect tables before and after meals or social gatherings.
Sweep and mop the mess area floor regularly.
Use non-corrosive, sealed garbage cans for all non-food trash.
Dispose of food waste properly and separately from other garbage or recycling.
Consider using slip-resistant placemats on tables to minimize accidents.
2
Contact a School Advisor Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
Eliminating or minimizing food consumed outside the galley and mess areas.
Removing dirty clothes and shoes before entering living quarters.
Regularly laundering all clothes and bed linens.
Storing life jackets and gear in their corresponding areas.
Providing easy access to sealed garbage cans and cleaning supplies.
To keep living quarters safe and free of potential fire hazards, make sure each crew member has
access to a fire extinguishing system and that you test all nearby fire alarms for performance and
strength of sound. Avoid smoking in living quarters and other confined spaces. If using an ashtray, it
should have an attached lid to prevent spillage. Should a member of the crew become sick with a
contagious illness, take extra sanitary precautions, and temporarily relocate that crew member if
possible.
Best practices for storing gas canisters on board include the following:
Ensure all tanks are clearly marked and stored by color — blue canisters for oxygen and maroon
Contact a School Advisor
canisters for acetylene.
Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
Secure gas canisters in a well-ventilated, weather-safe and permanent area of the cargo ship. This
area should be exclusively for gas canisters and not a place for additional storage.
Install storage racks and grates to keep canisters in a stable, upright position while in transit.
Give acetylene canisters at least thirty minutes to rest before opening, especially if they were
stored horizontally.
To manage your bilge area and ensure cargo ship worker safety, follow these practices:
Keep the bilge area as free of oil as possible. One way to do this is to ensure your engine room is
free of leaks that could contaminate the bilge.
Paint your bilge area a light color so you can see oil spills and other contamination easily.
Use drip trays to catch leaks until they can be inspected and repaired.
Avoid disposing chemicals in the bilge management area. This could include mop water, cleaning
substances, soot or food waste.
2
Regularly inspect all bilge lines for signs of damage or premature wear.
Stay up-to-date on current standards for bilge area hygiene and pollution in case your cargo ship
is inspected by port control.
Recommendations
Contact a School Advisor for Maritime
Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
While on board, encourage all crew members to maintain good hygiene, including frequent and
thorough hand-washing. If a crew member becomes ill or displays symptoms while at sea, the
individual should self-isolate in a single-occupancy cabin with the door closed. Immediately alert
any onboard medical professionals and prepare an illness report, per CDC guidelines.
If a crew member is experiencing symptoms of a serious and contagious illness while at sea, make
plans to reach land as soon as possible and advise all remaining crew members to:
Social distance
Wear personal protective equipment
Closely monitor their own health
Report any emerging symptoms
To help combat onboard illness, all vessels should have a suitable quantity of medical supplies,
hand soap, hand sanitizer, disinfectant cleaner, personal protective equipment and durable, leak-
proof containers.
Cleaning commonly touched items — such as rails, countertops, door handles, tables and light
switches — more frequently, or after each use.
Disinfecting all areas of the ship promptly and safely if a crew member exhibits symptoms of an
Contact a School Advisor
illness.
Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
Wearing disposable personal protective equipment when disinfecting ship areas and avoid
touching your face.
Eliminating all contaminated objects immediately by securing them in a tied trash bag and
placing inside a spill-proof container.
Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds after cleaning.
Once you implement these strategies on your ship, remember to track your progress. You can note
which methods have led to improvement and identify strategies that still need fine-tuning.
Encourage open communication between all members of the crew and ship management to
promote accountability.
If you’re interested in learning more about maritime safety and safe working practice for ships,
MITAGS can help. MITAGS is a non-profit vocational training institution for both novice and
experienced maritime professionals. In addition to maritime safety education, we also offer Mate to
Master and Maritime Apprenticeship programs for those looking to further their career. For more 2
information, contact a MITAGS representative today.
Share
Contacta School
Advisor Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
Related Posts
Blog
Blog
2
Contact a School Advisor Toll-Free Admissions: 1-866-656-5568
MITAGS EAST
692 Maritime Boulevard
Linthicum Heights, MD 21090
Main: 1-410-859-5700
MITAGS is the primary training center for
Fax: 1-410-859-5181
members of the International Organization of
Masters, Mates and Pilots (IOMM&P).
®
FEATURED COURSES ABOUT THE NSAP CUSTOM SIMULATION & RESEARCH
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Sitemap 2