It is possible for you to print the contents of the tool to enable you to look for the information at the relevant workplace (by walking around and looking at what could cause harm, or by consulting the workers and/or their representatives about problems they have encountered). You can then introduce the information into the tool.

You may also wish to distribute the contents among the workers and/or their representatives and invite them to participate in identifying the hazards/problems, evaluating the risks and deciding on preventive action.Their feedback should be taken into account when filling in this tool.

Maritime Transport

Working in the Engine Room

Physical Hazards

  • The levels of noise exposure in the engine room are measured periodically
    • High noise spaces are indicated with warning signs about the hearing protection.
    • Seafarers should be informed of the danger of removing hearing protection in areas where the noise level is high, even for short periods.
    • Working spaces, such as the machine shop, are insulated, from the general engine-room noise and enough measures are taken to reduce noise in the operation of machinery.
    • Evaluate if the workers in the engine room undergo audiometric test periodically

    Legal and policy references

    Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

    ILO code of practice , Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996,

    Directive 2003/10/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 February 2003 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise), ILO code of practice entitled Ambient factors in the workplace, 2001.

  • Areas of the ship work processes or transit are adequately and appropriately illuminated.
    • All working and transit areas are adequately illuminated

    Legal and policy references

    Commission Directive 91/322/EEC of 29 May 1991 on establishing indicative limit values by implementing Council Directive 80/1107/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work.

    ILO code of practice , Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996,

    Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

  • The preventive measures recomended to reduce shipboard vibration are undertaken
    • All valves, pipes and fittings are adequately supported and fixed or clamped to avoid vibration
    • Special provision of approved personal protective equipment to seafarers where necessary.
    • To prepare a vibration control programme in workplaces where vibration exceeds daily exposure action values.

    Legal and policy references

    Directive 2002/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration)

    ILO code of practice , Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996,

    Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

  • There are necessary preventive measures protecting workers from the risks associated with electromagnetic fields
    • Design of workstations and work equipment, procedures and methods give priority to reduce at source the exposure risks to electromagnetic fields.
    • Adequate individual training to seafarers in the use of VDUs and microcomputers is provided.

    Legal and policy references

    Directive 2004/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) (18th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

    Council Directive 90/270/EEC of 29 May 1990 on the minimum safety and Health requirements for work with display screen equipment (fifth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

    ILO code of practice , Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996,

    Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

  • The levels of noise exposure in the engine room are measured periodically
    • High noise spaces are indicated with warning signs about the hearing protection.
    • Seafarers should be informed of the danger of removing hearing protection in areas where the noise level is high, even for short periods.
    • Working spaces, such as the machine shop, are insulated, from the general engine-room noise and enough measures are taken to reduce noise in the operation of machinery.
    • Evaluate if the workers in the engine room undergo audiometric test periodically

    Legal and policy references

    Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

    ILO code of practice , Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996,

    Directive 2003/10/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 February 2003 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise), ILO code of practice entitled Ambient factors in the workplace, 2001.

  • Areas of the ship work processes or transit are adequately and appropriately illuminated.
    • All working and transit areas are adequately illuminated

    Legal and policy references

    Commission Directive 91/322/EEC of 29 May 1991 on establishing indicative limit values by implementing Council Directive 80/1107/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work.

    ILO code of practice , Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996,

    Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

  • The preventive measures recomended to reduce shipboard vibration are undertaken
    • All valves, pipes and fittings are adequately supported and fixed or clamped to avoid vibration
    • Special provision of approved personal protective equipment to seafarers where necessary.
    • To prepare a vibration control programme in workplaces where vibration exceeds daily exposure action values.

    Legal and policy references

    Directive 2002/44/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration)

    ILO code of practice , Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996,

    Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

  • There are necessary preventive measures protecting workers from the risks associated with electromagnetic fields
    • Design of workstations and work equipment, procedures and methods give priority to reduce at source the exposure risks to electromagnetic fields.
    • Adequate individual training to seafarers in the use of VDUs and microcomputers is provided.

    Legal and policy references

    Directive 2004/40/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) (18th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

    Council Directive 90/270/EEC of 29 May 1990 on the minimum safety and Health requirements for work with display screen equipment (fifth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

    ILO code of practice , Accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port, 1996,

    Maritime Labour Convention, 2006