A fumigant is a chemical which under certain conditions will enter a gaseous state and in sufficient concentrations will be lethal to pest organisms. Fumigants are commonly used for killing insects in bulk cargoes like grain and other cereal products but are also used for cargoes like cocoa in bags, timber and for plants and foodstuff inside containers. In the old days fumigation would take place with the vessel in port and with the crew staying ashore, but today in-transit fumigation is the most common practice. In-transit fumigation is very convenient for the shippers but poses a certain risk to the crew members onboard, as the gases can also be deadly to humans, even in very low concentrations.
Over the years Gard has seen many cases where crew members have been exposed to dangerous concentrations of fumigant gases, some ending in fatalities and others endangering the entire crew. The purpose of this circular is therefore to alert Members and Clients to the risks involved, and their responsibility for the safety of their crew, when carrying out in-transit fumigation of cargo holds.
See attached file: 13-11 Dangers to crew during intransit fumigation.pdf
在运输途中熏蒸货物对船员造成的危险
熏蒸剂是一种在特定条件下会发生气化，并在达到一定浓度时能杀死有害生物的化学品。熏蒸剂通常被用于杀灭散装货物（如谷物和其他谷类制品）中的害虫，但也可用于处理袋装可可豆、木材、集装箱内的植物及食品等货物。过去，熏蒸作业会在船舶在港停留，船员离船上岸的情况下进行。而如今，在运输途中熏蒸已经成为最普遍的做法。在途熏蒸给托运人带来了便利，但同时对船员安全造成了一定的威胁，原因是，即使浓度极低的熏蒸气体，也可能对人体产生致命的伤害。
过去几年，Gard见过许多起船员接触高浓度熏蒸气体，最终导致死亡或危及全体船员安全的事故。因此，本通函的目的在于警示会员和客户，在运输过程中对货舱进行熏蒸所涉的风险，以及会员和客户对各自船员的人身安全应负的责任。
详细信息请参阅附件。
