TE-16 Suisun Bay Reserve Fleet Safety Rules.pdf

SUISUN BAY RESERVE FLEET

FLEET SAFETY RULES

April 27, 2011

1. Sufficient life jackets will be available on each craft to ensure one for each passenger and crew member at all times. All personnel shall wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while in the act of embarking or disembarking from any Fleet vessel, while topside on any PG-type craft, when directed to do so by a boat operator, while on open unguarded decks, while working from tugs/small boats/skiffs or floats, while working near unguarded deck edges, or while engaged in any over-water activity.

Security personnel shall wear a PFD while performing patrols on the water.

2. All passengers riding in boats shall be situated safely so as to be protected from sudden movements. Personnel shall maintain safe positions until the boat is either alongside the accommodation ladder or pier side and the operator notifies the employees to disembark. Any exceptions are covered in Fleet Policies for Boat Operations.

3. Personnel aboard all watercraft shall remain inside of the bulwarks and railings, and at no time will anyone sit on top of bulwarks or rails.

4. During periods of poor visibility, one individual, wearing a PFD, shall be designated as a lookout on the bow. Verbal or visual communications between a lookout and the boat operator will be maintained.

5. Personnel shall not descend from the deck of any vessel onto the accommodation ladder or landing platform to wait for transportation.

When transportation arrives, no more than five individuals are permitted on the accommodation ladder at one time and they shall be spaced equally over the length of the ladder. This applies to ascending the ladders as well.

6. Skiffs shall not be taken beyond the Fleet Basin (vicinity of the APL) with fewer than two employees aboard unless another craft is present.

Operation by one employee shall be limited to the confines of the Fleet Basin or other specified work areas, and requires the approval of the responsible supervisor.

7. A life ring with 90 feet of nylon line attached shall be available at the head of each gangway and on the stern of Fleet craft, power barges, tugs, and at the Fleet pier.

8. All ends of mooring lines shall be coiled neatly and the areas left clear.

9. Smoking is prohibited throughout the Fleet, with the exception of designated smoking areas:

1. on the 01 level, aft, of the APL; and

2. on the Pier Head (aka “Dance Floor”) where butt kits have been placed.

Smoking is prohibited in/on all water craft, government vehicles, buildings, and conveyances. Other smoking areas may be designated by the Fleet Program Manager and the responsible supervisor. Smoking is prohibited at all times aboard tankers, vessels transferring fuel, wooden vessels or on any ships with wooden decks. Smoking is prohibited during solvent cleaning operations. This includes the filling or handling of emptying containers of gasoline, diesel, xylene, and mineral spirits or any other combustible or flammable liquids or gas.

10. Cigarette butts will never be thrown into the water or on the dock.

Cigarettes shall be disposed in butt kits, sand containers and/or ashtrays have been provided in designated smoking areas. Paper, trash or refuse are not to be placed in ashtrays.

11. All debris, oily rags, industrial wipes, trash and refuse will be properly segregated and removed from the ships and working areas daily. These areas will be left in a clean condition and all materials stowed neatly at the end of each workday.

12. Safety boots which meet the current ANSI/ASTM standard, and will be provided with impact-resistant toes, soles of slip resistant material, and shall be worn by employees exposed to, or for protection against, falling or rolling objects, sharp objects, molten metal, hot surfaces, and oily or wet, slippery walking surfaces. Footgear with loose soles, heels, laces of excessive length or otherwise in poor condition will not be permitted.

13. All personnel working at the Fleet shall use approved safety equipment as required, including specific personal protective equipment, hard hats, safety harness, securing lines, and safety eye ware as appropriate.

Employees will use only safety and personnel protective equipment issued by the Fleet.

14. All personnel, including visitors, shall wear safety glasses or goggles while in the vicinity of any operation which could generate flying particles which could strike or lodge in the eyes. Such operations shall include, but are not be limited to scaling, water blasting, sandblasting, operating a powered saw, grinding, hammering, handling flooded cell batteries, boiler cleaning, and anchor windlass operations.

15. All personnel, including visitors, shall wear hearing protection which is adequate to reduce hazardous noise where required by signs or required by the Fleet Safety Officer.

16. Burning, welding or other hot work may not take place until a written hot work request is submitted and approved by the Fleet Safety Officer. In the absence of the Fleet Safety Officer, approval will be obtained from the Fleet Program Manager. No hot work will be performed in any confined space without a gas free certificate in accordance with applicable regulations. A copy of all gas free certificates must be posted as required, and a copy will be provided to the Fleet Safety Officer. The Fleet Safety Officer will inspect the area where hot work will be performed prior to the commencement of such work. Under no circumstances will any hot work take place without the required approvals.

17. A qualified, properly equipped fire watch is required when welding, burning or other hot work is being performed. This person must be knowledgeable of the duties assigned and will not perform other functions/tasks while assigned as a fire watch. Appropriate PPE for the fire watch is required.

18. All hot work in the Fleet will cease at least one hour prior to end of shift.

The last hour of the shift between cessation of hot work and departure from the job-site will remain under observation for at least 30 minutes by either the contractor or Fleet escort in order to ensure there is no fire danger.

19. No personnel shall enter any confined space, a space that may contain an oxygen-deficient atmosphere, or a space that may be hazardous to personnel until it has been declared safe for entry by a Marine Chemist or authorized competent person.

20. Respirators consistent with 29 CFR 1910.134 shall be worn during sandblasting, painting, or other operations where dust, vapors, fumes, airborne particles, or noxious gases may be present.

21. The exposure of unprotected personnel to airborne asbestos fibers shall be prevented. Numerous studies and extensive air sampling evolutions have been conducted in the Fleet under a variety of conditions. No exposures of personnel at, or above, the personal exposure level (PEL) have occurred.

No conditions have been found that require special protective clothing or respiratory protection while engaged in routine Fleet operations. Specific areas on concern will be directed to the Fleet Safety Officer.

22. Compressed gas cylinder bottles shall be secured properly at all times.

Compressed gas cylinders shall be lashed upright to a wall or bulkhead, with protective caps in place when being transported or not in use.

23. All hoses and electrical cords, especially oxygen and acetylene hoses, will be disconnected and pulled clear of access doors every evening so that doors may be closed and to prevent substances from leaking into adjacent compartments. All compressor air hose connections are to be lashed or wired together.

24. All Fleet support craft shall be inspected to ensure vessel safety and proper equipment operation. Specific areas to be evaluated will include, but are not limited to, engine operations, searchlights, running lights, bilge and fuel line condition, and general condition of the vessel as necessary.

Reports will be provided to responsible supervisor(s) for recordkeeping purposes.

25. Personnel must report immediately all potentially dangerous conditions, accidents, mishaps and injuries to the responsible supervisor, who in turn is charged with completing the necessary documents and reports. These requirements must be addressed before leaving the Fleet on the day of the incident/injury, or at the first reasonable opportunity thereafter.

26. The two person rule is applied when personnel work on any row, or any particular ship or barge with the exception of the APL. Personnel shall not venture into the interior of any vessel, or transit from one ship to another without approval of the Fleet Program Manager.

27. Whenever personnel enter the interior of any ship, an effort will be made to identify two separate egress routes that are open and unlocked.

28. No person shall be allowed to work aloft on staging, scaffolds, or masts without first undergoing the required training, qualification, and use of the required fall arrest/protection equipment. All equipment used for fall arrest/fall protection will meet or exceed the requirements of 29 CFR

1915.159. Additionally, every individual climbing over 20 feet in height will require an additional competent person onsite who is certified and equipped to provide ground support and assistance to the primary climber.

29. No deck or floor openings shall be left unprotected. This includes the removal of hatch covers, bilges, manhole covers, floor plates, and any other opening into which a person may fall. All areas with an opening which cannot be closed physically shall be chained/roped off and marked clearly.

30. Gangway doors on vessels not equipped with gangways shall be closed and secured. In the event the door is missing or it cannot be closed, the opening shall be chained off or wired with several strands of heavy wire.

31. The Fleet Safety Officer will approve all instances where the exhaust of an internal combustion engines is directed into the interior of any vessel, enclosed spaces, or below main deck. Once approved, a competent person shall make tests of the carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations of the atmosphere as frequently as necessary to ensure that dangerous concentrations of CO do not develop. Adequate ventilation for the dissipation of exhaust fumes must be provided regardless of location.

32. Electrical lines, cables, air lines, hoses shall be secured on deck clear of passageways and work areas.

33. Under no circumstances shall any personnel cross from ship to ship by any means other than a gangway complete with handrails that are fitted properly. Prior to installation of a permanent walkway between ships, a portable walkway with handrails shall be utilized.

34. When ascending or descending vertical ladders, personnel will keep both hands shall be free to grasp handrails. A drop line for tools or equipment will be used for moving equipment and supplies.

35. Gasoline, diesel, mineral spirits, xylene, and other flammable or combustible liquids shall be stored in, and dispensed from, approved safety containers made for the purpose intended. Such containers shall be inspected regularly and properly marked as follows:

(a) Cans painted red and stenciled/labeled: "DIESEL”, "XYLENE" Or "GASOLINE," as applicable.

(b) Cans painted yellow and stenciled/labeled: "LUBE OIL" or "PRESERVATION OIL," as applicable.

(c) Cans painted red with a white band and stenciled/labeled:

"KEROSENE."

36. Drip tanks or pans shall be used when parts are being cleaned and when draining oil or fuel from motors or engines.

37. Valves for safety cans and flexible metal hose spouts must never be painted. They are to be treated with preservation oil.

38. Outboard motor operators must leave fuel vents open when fuel containers are stored in the can rack.

39. Employees shall not wear loose fitting clothing or jewelry when working around exposed rotating machinery.

40. Metal dust and shavings shall be cleaned up from around lathes, grinders and milling machines when the employee is finished with the equipment.

The “clean as you go” philosophy will be applied.

41. Oil spilled on work surfaces shall be cleaned immediately and sanded, if necessary. On vessels sprayed with oil or paint mixtures, all gangways, passageways, and traffic areas in use shall be sanded to prevent slips.

Appropriate signs shall be posted at all entrances to areas where slippery conditions exist.

42. Only authorized personnel may charge batteries. During the charging operation, the area or compartment shall be ventilated thoroughly by either mechanical means or by natural drafts. Smoking or open flames are prohibited. Intrinsically safe electrical equipment is required in areas where batteries are being charged. Approved face shields shall be worn when adding water or electrolyte to batteries. Connecting or disconnecting battery terminals will be undertaken only when the battery charger is off.

43. Personnel should never look directly at arc when welding operations are underway due to the potential for serious eye injury. The appropriately shaded lens required for the project will be used.

44. Warnings and notifications appropriate for personnel working over the side, aloft, or in the water, or within a service craft will be made prior to the commencement of work. Warnings will be repeated as often as necessary to protect personnel for the work undertaken.

45. Whenever lumber is removed from a structure, nails shall be removed or bent over immediately as part of the operation to prevent possible injury.

46. Space heaters shall be operated only when properly installed and vented to the outside. Propane gas bottles are not to be placed in the area of the heater. Gas bottles must be left on the open decks and fed into the heated spaces by a hose. Space heaters are not to be left on when unattended and a CO2 extinguisher must be in the area near the space heater.

47. Supervisors shall assure that appropriate signs are posted at all entrances to work areas during pressure blasting/cleaning. Employees shall not operate pressurized machinery unless another employee is present who can assist in the event of need.

48. A copy of the most current Fire Bill will be posted on Fleet bulletin boards.

49. Employees shall report promptly all potentially dangerous circumstances and conditions to the appropriate supervisor or the Fleet Safety Officer.

50. Flooding alarms placed aboard vessels at anchorage carry 110 volts. Care should be taken to ensure that electrical conductors are not damaged when equipment is serviced. When it becomes necessary to remove an alarm, the unit is to be lifted by the ribbon. Tilting or disconnecting the unit in place can damage the alarm. Ensure that wash-down hoses or oil spray systems will not damage the alarm.

51. Each work group shall be aware of the location of the closest first aid kit, Stokes basket stretcher and AED to the work location.

52. Gangways, crosswalks and other access ways shall be inspected by the responsible supervisor prior to initial use and as frequently thereafter as required. All shackles used on gangways and walkways shall have the pin seized with wire in a manner that prevents loosening of the pin.

53. Straight ladders shall be made of metal, except those used for electrical work where non-conductive ladders are required. Ladders will be inspected prior to each use. Metal ladders, when employed, will be secured to the top railing of the ship boarded. Step ladders of the proper size shall be used where warranted. Boxes, chairs, or trash cans shall not be used in lieu of an appropriate step ladder.

54. Defective ladders shall not be used. Portable ladders, when defective, shall be tagged and removed from service immediately. Defective ladders shall be marked clearly and not used until repairs have been completed.

55. The proper tool for each job shall be used. The heads of chisels that have been mushroomed from use, split hammer handles, and/or broken tools that are in any way unsafe or defective are prohibited. Defective tools must be taken out of service to be repaired or replaced. Tools shall always be laid down and stored in such a manner as to prevent injuries.

56. All portable equipment shall be grounded electrically prior to and during use. This includes fueling hoses and portable electrical equipment. All portable electrical equipment must be periodically inspected by a qualified electrician as required by Fleet rules. Equipment with damaged electrical wiring or electrical plug must be repaired or replaced prior to use.

57. Air compressors shall not be operated until all installed safety devices are installed and functional. Only safety devices designed for the specific application will be used. Substitute devices will not be installed without the approval of the Fleet Safety Officer.

58. Pressurized gas cylinders shall be secured properly to prevent falling or damage. Cylinders shall be lashed upright, caps in place when not in use or when being transported unless depressurized. If a leak is suspected an employee may soap the threads. Threads will never be lubricated with petroleum-based lubricants. Whenever pressurized cylinders are not in use, they will be grouped by content and separated by a fire-resistant wall or by at least 20 feet to the closest incompatible substance.

59. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 PSI, and then only with effective chip guarding and personal protective equipment. Pressurized air hoses are not to be directed toward any part of the human body. Whenever a gas/diesel powered air compressor is used for any breathing apparatus, such as an air line respirator, a gas detector alarm and air purifier must be installed.

Compressed air for breathing must meet grade D air as required by 29 CFR 1910.134(i)(4)(ii). Only approved NIOSH/MSHA respirators will be used.

60. All hoses, especially oxygen and acetylene hoses, and electrical wires and cords will be disconnected and pulled clear of access doors every evening so that the doors may be closed and to prevent leakage of gas into ship. All air compressor hose connections are to be lashed or wired together. All hoses carrying acetylene, oxygen, natural or manufactured fuel gas, or any gas or substance which may ignite or enter into combustion or be in any way harmful to employees, shall be inspected at the beginning of each shift. Defective hose shall be removed from service.

61. When traveling in any government conveyance, or in private vehicles when on Fleet business, seat belts shall be worn and the vehicle shall be operated within the confines of the law where travel is undertaken.

62. Fighting, wrestling, horseplay or the throwing/tossing of objects that could result in injury are prohibited.

63. When inspecting or working in cargo holds, personnel shall use the fixed ladders designed for routine access. The swing-away-type hold access ladder will not be used.

These rules are not intended to be all inclusive. In addition to the foregoing safety rules, other instructions (in writing or orally) may be issued as warranted. Failure to comply with these safety rules may result in disciplinary action.