The industry is reminded to conduct a comprehensive Risk Assessment for all work activities related to vessel embarkation and disembarkation. Precautions must be taken to prevent workers from falling into water. Where possible, always select a safer method (e.g. use of vessel gangways) for embarkation or disembarkation. If pilot ladders must be used, ensure workers are physically fit for the task and sufficiently confident before allowing them to proceed. Safe Work Procedures must be established to guide workers on the safe use of pilot ladders. Employers of workers exposed to the risk of falling into water must provide suitable life vest to keep the workers afloat in the event they fall into the water. Workers should be trained on the importance and correct manner of donning the life vest. Instruct workers not to attempt embarking or disembarking a vessel when conditions are not favourable (e.g. heavy rain, strong winds and/or choppy waters). If conditions are good, then embarking/disembarking may proceed only when the passenger launch is in position.
MARITIME AND PORT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE PORT MARINE CIRCULAR NO. 034 OF 2020 "In order to prepare for safe transfers, persons are strongly recommended to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including a working SOLAS type approved life-jacket or a life-jacket meeting International ISO 12402 - performance level 100, or higher." •Life jackets: For safe boarding of vessels, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore recommends the use of SOLAS type-approved life jacket or a life jacket meeting ISO 12402 Personal Flotation Devices with performance level 100 or higher. Always check that life jackets are in good condition before use. ISO 12402: INTERNATIONAL STANDARD FOR PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (LIFEJACKETS AND BUOYANCY AIDS)The ISO 12402 series for personal flotation devices (lifejackets and buoyancy aids) was prepared by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) Technical Committee CEN/TC 162, Protective clothing including hand and arm protection and lifejackets, in collaboration with Technical Committee ISO/TC 188, Small craft, in accordance with the Agreement on technical cooperation between ISO and CEN (Vienna Agreement).
ISO 12402 consists of the following parts, under the general title Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs): - Part 2: Lifejackets, performance level 275 — Safety requirements
- Part 3: Lifejackets, performance level 150 — Safety requirements
- Part 4: Lifejackets, performance level 100 — Safety requirements
- Part 5: Buoyancy aids (level 50) — Safety requirements
- Part 6: Special purpose lifejackets and buoyancy aids — Safety requirements and additional test methods
- Part 7: Materials and components — Safety requirements and test methods
- Part 8: Accessories — Safety requirements and test methods
- Part 9: Test methods
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization. International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2. LSA-Code International Life-saving appliance Code (MSC.48(66))2.2.2 Inflatable lifejackets A lifejacket which depends on inflation for buoyancy shall have not less than two separate compartments and comply with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.1 and shall: - inflate automatically on immersion, be provided with a device to permit inflation by a single manual motion and be capable of being inflated by mouth;
- in the event of loss of buoyancy in any one compartment be capable of complying with the requirements of paragraphs 2.2.1.2, 2.2.1.3 and 2.2.1.4; and
- comply with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.1.7 after inflation by means of the automatic mechanism.
The table below summarises the different performance levels of life jackets: Performance Level | Application and Suitability | 100N | · For use in sheltered or calm waters (e.g., swimming pools, rivers, reservoirs, or ponds) and not suitable for rough water condition or when there is wave splash. · For lightly clothed users (e.g., sports attire, single layer clothing without equipment or attachment) · Intended for those who may have to wait for rescue in sheltered or calm waters. · Give reasonable assurance of safety from drowning in relatively calm waters, where users remain capable of helping themselves. · Not guaranteed to self-right an unconscious user and should not be expected to protect the airway of an unconscious person in rough water. | 150N | · For use in general, offshore, rough waters, or foul weather. · For fully clothed user or heavy weather clothing. · Give reasonable assurance of safety to people not fully capable of helping themselves due to injury or exhaustion. · Able to turn an unconscious user into a position where one’s mouth and nose is clear of the water without active participation, but with limitations for wearers of special protective clothing or heavy equipment. | 275N | · For use in offshore waters or under severe weather or sea conditions. · For users who don special protective clothing. · For users who are wearing items of significant weight (e.g., tool belt) and thus requires additional buoyancy. · For person with clothing which may trap air and adversely affect the self- righting capacity of the lifejacket. · Able to turn an unconscious user into a position where one’s mouth and nose is clear of the water without active participation, even when they are wearing heavy clothing or weather gear. |
Table 1: Performance level of life jackets and its application For work at non-sheltered waters ISO 12402 recommends the use of life jackets with a performance level of at least 150N and above. Employers and life jacket users are advised to conduct a thorough risk assessment that is specific to their nature of their work before selecting a life jacket of appropriate performance level for the work activity.
MPA guidelines for safe transfer of persons between vessels at anchorages recommends the use of a working SOLAS type life jacket or a lifejacket meeting ISO 12402 Personal Floatation Devices performance level 100 or higher.Life Preserver (inflatable Life Jacket)
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