协会发现一些船舶仍然使用全腰带式安全带，当工作人员佩带此类安全带作业时，若发生坠落，可能导致其内脏或脊椎严重受损，甚至死亡。
另外部分船舶在船上配有五点式安全带，但并未在安全索上安装防坠器。如果佩带五点式安全带的工作人员发生坠落，在没有安装防坠器的情况下，该工作人员很可能会受重伤。防坠器的作用相当于”缓冲器”，可以在短距离内逐渐减缓下坠速度，但不能瞬间减缓坠落速度。
根据《国际安全管理规则》第1.2.2条规定：”公司应…评估所有已认定的影响工作人员安全的风险…以及制定适当的防范措施…”。
根据《商船海员安全工作规则》第 4 章规定：”雇主有责任确保在有需要时为工作人员提供合适的个人保护装备….一般情况下，雇主应免费向工作人员提供个人保护装备”。
据此，如因使用错误安全带而导致工作人员受到严重伤害的，雇主将对此承担责任。因此协会强烈建议所有船舶配备正确的安全带，包括防坠器在内。
船舶应定期检查带子与系索，以查看缝合处/界面处（这些部位受损会在很大程度上降低安全带的受力强度）、以及部分配置的防坠器等是否存在切口、磨损、老化或损坏等现象。对于存在缺陷的设备或已用于阻止坠落的设备应更换。
在船边作业时，同样应提供安全固定装置，使工作人员无需解开安全索也能够适当的自由移动作业。
如需进一步咨询请联系：
Loss Prevention Department, Thomas Miller P&I Ltd
电话： +44 20 7204 2307. 传真 +44 20 7283 6517
邮箱: lossprevention.ukclub@thomasmiller.com
UK P&I CLUB Technical Bulletin – Safety Harnesses – Working at Height and Overside
It is noted that some ships are still supplied with belt type harnesses which can lead to severe damage to internal organs and also spinal damage or death if the wearer falls from any height.
Some other vessels have the correct ‘5 point’ safety harnesses onboard but they are not fitted with ‘fall arrest’ devices on the safety lines. This can result in serious injury should the wearer fall onto the safety line. Fall arresters act as ‘shock absorbers’ and will slow the fall gradually over a short distance rather than instantaneously.
The ISM Code section 1.2.2.2 requires that: “the Company should….assess all identified risks to its and establish appropriate safeguards…” The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen states in chapter 4: “It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that workers are provided with suitable personal protective equipment where it is needed… as a general rule, personal protective equipment should be supplied at no cost to the worker.”personnel
Therefore, the employer can be held liable for a serious injury result from the use of the wrong type of safety harness. The Club strongly advises that the correct types of safety harnesses, including fall arrest equipment, should be supplied to all vessels. The webbing and lanyard should be inspected regularly for cuts, abrasions, degradation, damage to stitching/splicing (which can significantly reduce the strength of the harness), partially deployed fall arrester etc. Equipment with defects or which has already been used to arrest a fall should be renewed.
Where work is to be carried out over the side of the vessel it would also be prudent to provide a securing arrangement that allows proper freedom of movement for personnel without the safety line having to be disconnected during work.
For further information please contact:
Loss Prevention Department, Thomas Miller P&I Ltd
Tel: +44 20 7204 2307. Fax +44 20 7283 6517
Email: lossprevention.ukclub@thomasmiller.com
