1 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its sixty-fifth
session, approved MSC/Circ.695 drawing the attention of Member Governments
to the risk of falls of cargo handlers whilst working on cargo adjacent
to corrugated bulkheads in the holds of general cargo ships.
2 The Committee, at its seventieth session (7
to 11 December 1998), being further aware of these dangers, agreed
that further measures should be taken into consideration for general
cargo ships for the protection of cargo handlers and other persons
working in holds adjacent to corrugated bulkheads. A number of possible
methods are set out in the annex. The list is not exhaustive and is
not intended to preclude the development of other methods in new or
existing ships.
3 As a further reminder, attention is drawn to
the risks of injury to cargo handlers and to all personnel whilst
working adjacent to corrugated bulkheads where those persons may fall
(up to 15 metres or more), through openings produced between stowed
cargo used as a working or access platform and the rear of the corrugations.
4 Care should be exercised in the welding of plates
or other fittings to corrugated bulkheads, to avoid initiation of
structural problems.
5 The provision of appropriate facilities to protect
those who have to work adjacent to corrugated bulkheads in the holds
of such ships should be considered during the design, construction,
repair or working of general cargo ships.
6 Member Governments are invited to bring this
circular to the attention of shipowners, ship designers, port authorities
and stevedores.