General

  1 These Guidelines provide recommendations on the access to tanks, cargo holds and ballast spaces of oil tankers and bulk carriers, to enable the hull structure to be examined in a safe and practical way, when performing the overall and close-up surveys required in SOLAS regulation XI/2 and in the relevant Guidelines on the Enhance Programme of Inspections during Surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers, adopted by Assembly resolution A.744(18).

  2 These Guidelines recall SOLAS regulation II-1/12-2 on the “Access to Spaces in Cargo Area of Oil Tanker", which applies to oil tankers constructed on or after 1 October 1994, the “Recommendation of Safe Access to and Working in Large Tanks and Recommendation of Safe Access to and Working in Large Cargo Holds of Bulk Carriers", adopted by resolution A.272(VIII) and the “Amendment to the Recommendation of Safe Access to and Working in Large Tanks (resolution A.272(VIII), Annex 1) to Include Large Water Ballast Tanks", adopted by resolution A.330(IX). They also take into account general Principles of the ILO publication of Safety and Health in Dockwork.

  3 These Guidelines should apply to new ships. In case of existing ships, the Guidelines should be applied in so far as the Administration deems reasonable and practicable

  4 These Guidelines recommend the owner to agree with the shipyard, in consultation with the Administration or an organisation recognized by the Administration, to develop and incorporate, at the time of construction of new oil tankers or bulk carriers, secure and practical means of access to tanks, ballast spaces and cargo holds for an efficient and effective inspection and maintenance, taking into consideration the following aspects.

  5 Safe access to enclosed spaces can only be provided if an adequate standard of cleaning, ventilation and testing is achieved prior to entry^footnote.