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PART III
Safety
A.-Working Places
9.
Surfaces.-
(1) Every regular
approach over a dock which the working place and every such working place
inside the dock which workers have to use for going to or from a dock shall
be,-
(a) kept clean and
free from objects that can cause slipping, stumbling or falling,
(b) maintained in
good repair with due regard to the safety of the dock workers.
(2) All areas of a dock
shall be kept properly drained and graded In order to facilitate safe access
to sheds, warehouses and store places and safe handling of cargo and
equipment.
(3) Drain pools and
catch basins shall be properly covered or enclosed.
(4) All areas of a
dock and all approaches on which lifting appliances and transport equipment
are used shall be soundly constructed, surfaced with good wearing material
and sufficiently even and free from holes and cracks to afford safe transport
of cargo and shall be properly maintained.
(5) Any working area
in a dock which is damaged or under repair shall be effectively blocked off
from other areas and when necessary,, warning lights shall be provided at
night.
(6) All landing
places used by dock workers for embarking or disembarking from crafts meant
for transport by water, shall be maintained in good repair with due regard to
the safety of the persons using them.
10.
Fencing of dangerous places.-
(1) The following
parts of a dock and approaches as far as practicable having regard to the
traffic and working be securely fenced so that the height of the fence shall
be in no place less than one meter and the fencing shall be maintained in
good condition:
(a) all breaks,
dangerous comers, and other dangerous parts or edges of a dock;
(b) both sides of
such foot ways, over bridges, caissons, and dock gates as are in general use
by dock workers and each side of the entrance at each end of such foot way
for sufficient distance not exceeding, 4.5 meters:
Provided that in case
of fences which were constructed before the date of commencement of this
regulation, it shall be sufficient if the height of the fence is in no place
less than 75 cm.
(2) The ditches,
pits, trenches for pipes and cables and other hazardous openings and
excavations shall be securely covered or adequately fenced.
(3) Where wharves or
quays slope steeply towards the water, the outer edge shall be protected as
far as practicable.
11.
Passages to be kept clear.-
(1) Cargo shall not
be so stored or transport equipment or lifting appliances so placed on any
areas of a dock where dock workers are employed so as to obstruct access to
ships, cranes, life saving appliances, fire fighting equipment and welfare
facilities provided under these regulations.
(2) Where any place
is left along the edge of any wharf or quay, it shall be at least 90 cms,
wide and shall be kept clear of all obstructions other than fixed structures,
plant and appliances in use.
(3) Where working
areas of a dock are enclosed and the traffic warrants, a separate gate or
passage shall be provided for pedestrians.
12.
Railings and fencings.-
(1) All railings for
the fencing of hatchways, accommodation ladders, grangways, stainway for
embarking, disembarking, and any other dangerous place shall be of sound
material, good construction and possess adequate strength and unless
specified in these regulations;
(a) be at least one
metre in height; and
(b) consist of two
rails or two taut ropes or chains supporting stanchions and toe boards.
(2) Intermediate rails,
ropes or chain shall be 50 centimetre high.
(3) Stanchions shall
not be more than two metre apart and shall be secured against inadvertent
lifting out.
(4) The toe board
shall be at least 15 centimetre high.
(5) Railings shall be
free from sharp edges.
(6) Temporary fencing
of hatchways elevated platforms, etc. shall be as far as reasonably
practical, extend to a height of one metre and consist of either:
(a) two taut ropes or
chains with stanchions; or
(b) a properly rigged
and securely fastened safety net.
(7) Stairs giving
access to transport vessel shall be equipped with wooden or rubber fenders so
that the gap of more than 30 centimetre is maintained between the side of the
steps and side of the vessel.
13.
Staging construction and maintenance.-
(1) Sufficient supply
of sound and substantial material shall be available at convenient place or
places for the construction of staging.
(2) All staging shall
be:
(a) securely
constructed of sound and substantial material and shall be maintained in such
condition so as to ensure the safety of all dock workers; and
(b) inspected at
regular and frequent intervals by a responsible person.
(3) All planks and
ropes intended to be used for a staging shall be:
(a) carefully
examined before being taken into use; and
(b) re-examined by a
responsible person before they are used again after the stages have been
dismantled.
(4) All planks
forming stages shall be securely fastened to prevent slipping.
(5) All stages shall
be of sufficient width to secure the safety of the dock workers working
therein. In particular, on stage at a height of two metres or more above
R. 17] Dock Worker (Safety,Health &
Welfare) RegulatIons, 1990
the ground level deck
bottom, deck or tank top, shall be less than 30 centimetre wide.
(6) Planks supported
as the rungs of ladders shall not be used to support stages.
(7) (a) Stage
suspended by ropes or chains shall be secured as far as possible so as to
prevent their swinging; and
(b) no rope or chain
shall be used in suspending stages unless it Is of suitable quality, adequate
strength and free from patent defects. Fibre rope shall not pass over sharp
edges.
(8) Safe means of
access shall be provided for the use of dock workers to and from stages and
ropes used for suspending stages shall not be used as means of access.
14.
Work on staging.-
(1) More than two men
shall not be allowed to work at any one time on a staging plank.
(2) When dock workers
are employed on staging more than 2.5 metres high, they shall be protected by
safety belts equipped with lifelines which shall be secured with a minimum of
flask to a fixed structure.
(3) Prior to each
use, belts and lifelines shall be inspected for dry rot, chemical damage or
other defects which may affect their strength. Defective belts shall not be
used.
(4) Work on a staging
shall not be carried on when loaded slings have to pass over the stagings and
there is danger from falling objects.
15.
Lifesaving appliances.-
Provision for the rescue
from drowning of dock workers shall be made and maintained, and shall
include;
(a) a supply of
life-saving appliances, kept in readiness on the wharf or quay, which shall
be reasonably adequate having regard to all the circumstances; and
(b) means at or near
the surface of the water at reasonable intervals for enabling a person in
water to support himself or escape from the water which shall be reasonably
adequate having regard to all the circumstances.
16.
Illumination.-
(1) All areas in a
dock and on a ship where the dock work is carried on and all approaches to
such areas and to places to which dock workers may be required to go in the
course of their employment, shall be safely and efficiently lighted in an
appropriate way.
(2) The general
illumination, in areas on the dock where dock workers have to pass, shall be
at least 10 lux and at places where dock workers are employed the
illumination shall be at least 25 lux without prejudice to the provision of
any additional illumination needed at particularly dangerous places.
(3) The means of
artificial lighting shall, so far as is practicable, be such and so placed as
to prevent glare or formation of shadows to such an extent as to cause risk
of accident to any dock worker.
(4) The portable
lights shall be maintained in good condition and shall:
(a) be equipped with
substantial reflectors and guards; and
(b) be equipped with
heavy duty electric cords with connection and insulation maintained in safe
condition.
17.
Fire protection.-
(1) Place where dock workers
are employed shall, be provided with-
(a) sufficient and
suitable fire-extinguishing equipment; and Dock Workers (Safety, Health &
Welfare) regulation., 1990 [R. 18
(b) an adequate water
supply at ample pressure as per national standards.
(2) Persons trained
to use the fire-extinguishing equipment shall be readily available during all
working hours.
(3)
Fire-extinguishing equipment shall be properly maintained and Inspected at
regular intervals and a record maintained to that effect.
(4) A portable fire-extinguishing
equipment of suitable type shall be provided in every launch or boat or other
craft used for transport of dock workers and also in the crane cabins
including mobile cranes.
(5) Smoking shall not
be allowed in the hold of a ship, on wharf, in warehouses and transit sheds
and "No Smoking" or other cautionary notices shall be displayed at
such places.
18.
Excessive noise, etc.-
Adequate precautions
shall be taken to protect dock workers against the harmful effects of
excessive noise, vibrations and air pollution at the work place. In no case
the noise levels shall exceed the limits laid down in Schedule VII.
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