WATERSIDE WORK

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 202, 21 May 1919, Page 8

WATERSIDE WORK

PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS

NEW REGULATIONS

THE INSPECTION OF GEAR

Regulations to govern the handling of cargo' in ports of the Dominion, and also to govern certain other matters connected with the movements of shipping, are being gazetted this week under the authority of the Minister of Marine (tho Hon. T.' M. Wilford). It will bo remembered that some time ago the Minister attacked this question by holding a con. ferencc of representatives of all tho partics interested in tho working of cargo. Then he set up a commission, of which he himself sat as chairman and this commission took evidence in all the nrmcipal ports of tho country. These regulations, tho text,of which follows aro the result of tho recommendations of that commission:— . 1. All machinery, as distinguished from running-gear, used for loading or discharging cargo into or from ships, hulks, lighters, or storeships, or in handling cargo discharged from or loaded into ships, hulks, lighters, or storeships, whether such machinery is on the vessel or not, shall from time, to time bo inspected by an inspector of machinery. An inspector may order any alterations or repairs to bo made to any such machinery that he considers necessary, and the owner shall forthwith have such alterations or repairs carried out. An inspector may.prohibit the use of any such machinery until tho alterations or repairs have been executed to his satisfaction, and an owner shall not use nor permit to be used tho machinery during tho time such prohibition is in force. 2. All running-gear and all subsidiary appliances, whether such gear nnd appliances aro used on the ship or not, uscul for shipping or discharging cargo, including coal, on to or from ships shall from time to timo bo inspected by a surveyor of ships or oilier officer appointed for the purpose. Such surveyor or other officer may prohibit tho use of any gear or appliances which ho copsiders unlit for use, or ho may order any alterations or repairs that "ho thinks necessary to bo made. Tho owner shall carry out tho order of the surveyor or other officer, but he may appeal against, it to the Marmo Department if ho thinks fit to do so. 3. Every winch used on board a ship for working cargo or for lifting the vessel's anchors shall bo inspected annually by a surveyor of ships when he is-mnkinjc the annual survey of the ship, and any •repairs or alterations which tho surveyor may order shall be carried o»t forthwith by the owner. 4. When a ship is in a dock or on a slip the propeller shall not be turned until the foreman in charge of the men working on tho ship has advised the engineer in charge of the ship's engines that, tho meii working on planks or in the ship aro clear of tho propeller. 5. When the boilers on a ship aro being cleaned tho engineer in charge shall see that the stop-valve of the working boiler is locked during the whole of the time that the work is being carried out, and such engineer shall see that the temperature K of the boilers does not exceed lOOdeg. l'\ while men are employed in them.' G. Deck cargo on lighters shall, only bo carried in such quantity and in such positions as may bo permitted by a surveyor of ships, , 7. Lighters and launches employed in the shipping and discharge- of cargo on and from ships in roadsteads 'shall carry two * approved t lifebuoys and sufficient, lifebelts to give ono for each person cmployed or carried on such lighter or launch.

8. Every lighter and every steam or motor-boat engaged in connection with working cargo on to, or from ships in roadstead harbours shall carry at least six blue lights for signal purposes. _ !). When coal is being discharged in baskets from a. ship by means of a bullrope on to a stago so that it may bo put directly into carls, or other vehicles, such stago shall not lie less than 3ft. Gm. in width, and it shall be properly. fixed and supported so that it may be firm and steady. ..:, . ■>■ 10. A T iron used for working a fcullropo when working cargo on a ship shall bo securely bolted to the hatch-coammg, and tho T of Mich iron shall .bo not loss, than 3in. in diameter. 11. Proper and efficient bridles to tho satisfaction of a surveyor of ships or other person appointed for the purpose of these regulations shall be securely attached to the ends of fore and oft beams, with lanyards provided so that such beams may be shipped and unshipped without dangor to tho men doing tho work. 12. When thwartship hatch-beams are used bridles of sufficient length with si I ckles attached shall be kept available oil board the ship and fit for use, and shall bo used on such beams.(when they are 'being shipped or unshipped) in such a''manner as tc mako it unnecessary for men to leave the deck. 13. AVlren fore and after hatch-beams aro made of wood the ends shall 1» properly shod with iron. ~',.. ' U. No hook for attaching coal-baskets to slings shall be used until tho design of it has been approved by the Marino Department; provided that this regulation shall not come into force until tho expiration of six months from tho date of these regulations. .15 Every person in New Zealand who manufactures rope for sale shall attach to each coil a certificate showing tho breaking-strain of such rope. ' 16. When working cargo no person snail put a load of greater weight on any chain or ropo than the weight 'given as a safe working-load in tho tables issued by the Marine Department giving safe workingloads for chains and ropes of various fte- . , . v 17. When cargo is shipped on or discharged from a ship or hulk during the night-time electric ligh.t shall Ire used f or lighting purposes whenever it can bo obtained, and sufficient lights in clusters, or otherwise shall be provided to give a good working-light. At ports whoro electric current on the wharves and qunys is" under the control of harbour boards, such boards shall provide connecting plugs where necessary on wharves and quays to which movable clusters of lights can'be attached. i 18. When a vessel is in dock a gangway plank from the ship to the dock head shall bo provided, and on one side of the plank there shall bo a side rail or stanchions with ropos hove taut through them, the top rail or ropo being not les* than 3ft. Sin. high. Such gangway shall be seenrelv fixed. 111. When men are working on stages outside a ship which is in dock or on a slip all latrines shall be kept locked, and all discharge-pipes shall be so closed that no discharge can 'be. made from them. 20. When cargo is being shipped on or discharged from lighters sufficient space shall be left below for tho convenience of the men engaged in the work, and if there is am- dispute as to tho space the matter shall be decided by a surveyor of ships or other officer appointed for the purpose of these regulations. " 21. Tf nnv dispute shall arise as to the number of'gangs of men that, should work in a hold the matter shall be decided by a survevor of ships or other officer annotated for the purpose of these regulations, iiml the men employed in the rangs A\M .work in accordance vith his deiM - s ! "i

22. If complaint is made, to a Mirvcvor of ships or other officer rppointed for the purpos" of theso regulations that ii man is unlit \to work cargo through V-r-inrr under the inlluence of liquor, or if ii "surveyor or such other officer is of opinion that a man is unfit, from such cause to work cargo, he may- prohibit such man from working for Mich period as ho considers necessary under the circumstances, and the other members of the gang shall continue to carry on work. 23. When coal is being worked in chip's bunkers such bunkers shall be lighted by electric light when electric current is avaiki'ble.

21. When coal is being discharged from ships or hulks by menus of trains stout planks of uniform thickness and of a total width of 30in. shall be provided by the master and securely Hxed alongside the tramline, or as an alternative stout ylnnks of uniform thickness and of n total width of 24in., with stanohionß_ nnd a lifeline on one side, shall bo provided. 2.i. Tn the--miss of ships registered in New Zealand, and of hulks whether registered iu Now Zealand or not, all hatch coamings or beams ri>eU TO

not less than 2Jin. in width; provided that this regulation shall not come into force until the next annual overhaul in the caso of each such ship, and until the expiration of six,months from the dale of these regulation's in the caso of bulks.

20. If any person engaged in working cargo in a hold of a ship complains to a port health officer that the condition of such hold is insanitary, such oflicer shall examine the- hold, or cause the same to be examined by a comyetout If in the opinion of the port health officer the, condition of the hold is insanitary, such officer shall, by notice in writing served on the master of the ship, require the master to take ah 6teps necessup' to remedy tho conditions of the hold, and in particular to take such steps as may be specified in tho notice, and the master shall forthwith comply with such notice. At ports where there is no port health officer the Marine Department may appoint officers to whom complaints may be made, and such officers shall exercise the duties and have the powers of port health officers for the purposes of this regulation. 27. If a surveyor of ships or other officer appointed for tho purpose of these regulations considers it necessary for the safety of those working cargo bolow deck on a ship that "chipping should not be carried on on the ship while cargo is being worked, he may instruct the master that it must bo discontinued for such limo as hw thinks necessary, and the master shall see that such instructions are carried out forthwith.

2b. When persons are working on the outside of a ship tho master shall have a man kept on deck whose duty it shall be to prevent interference with ropes fastened to the deck, and to prevent anything from being thrown ovorboard which might injure persons working on the side.

20. In cases vhere in loading and discharging cargo o.n or from a ship any obstruction prevents the person working the bull-rope from being clearly seen by Ihe winchmaii. Iho masler of the ship shall employ an additional man to communicate signals from the winchman to the bull-rope man.

.10. If any person fails, refuses, or neglects to do anything required by these regulations, or in any manner obstructs, impedes, or interferes with Ihn doing of anything enjoined or authorised to be done, or wilfully does anything prohibited bv these regulations, every such person in any case so offending shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding .£IOO.