Application of Annex 14 of the Code of Safe Practice for Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS Code)

16 June 2017 |  C17025

IMO Maritime Safety Committee, at its 94th session, considered and approved amendments to the CSS Code as per MSC.1/Circ.1352/Rev.1

NOTICE TO
Ship Owners/ Managers/ Operators | Flag State Administrations | Surveyors/ Auditors

The aim of Annex 14 of the CSS Code is to ensure that persons engaged in carrying out container securing operations on deck have safe working conditions and, in particular safe access, appropriate securing equipment and safe places of work. Below guidelines should be taken into account at the design stage when securing systems are devised, as guidance is provided on producing or authorizing a Cargo Safe Access Plan (CSAP).

The Guidelines for the preparation of the Cargo Securing Manual (MSC/Circ.745) require ships which are specifically designed and fitted for the purpose of carrying containers to have an approved Cargo Safe Access Plan (CSAP) on board, for all areas where containers are secured.

Personnel engaged in cargo securing operations should be trained:

  • in the lashing and unlashing of containers as necessary to carry out their duties in a safe manner. This should include the different types of lashing equipment that are expected to be used;
  • in the identification and handling of bad order or defective securing gear in accordance with each ship’s procedures to ensure damaged gear is segregated for repair and maintenance or disposal;
  • to develop the knowledge and mental and physical manual handling skills that they require to do their job safely and efficiently, and to develop general safety awareness to recognize and avoid potential dangers;
  • in safe systems of work. Where personnel are involved in working at heights, they should be trained in the use of relevant equipment.

Where practical, the use of fall protection equipment should take precedence over fall arrest systems.

Personnel who are required to handle thermal cables and/or connect and disconnect temperature control units should be given training in recognizing defective cables, receptacles and plugs.

Personnel engaged in containership cargo operations should be familiarized with the ship’s unique characteristics and potential hazards arising from such operations necessary to carry out their duties.

Shipowners and operators should ensure that:

  • portable cargo securing devices are certified and assigned with a maximum securing load (MSL). The MSL should be documented in the cargo securing manual as required by the CSS Code;
  • the operational recommendations of this annex are complied with;
  • correction, changes or amendments of the Cargo Securing Manual, lashing plans and the Cargo Safe Access Plan (CSAP) should be promptly sent to the competent authority for approval; and
  • only compatible and certified equipment in safe condition is used.

Further requirements of the Annex 14 can be found in the Circular MSC.1/Circ.1352/Rev.1 here.

Act now

Owners/ Managers/ Operators are encouraged to:

  1. apply the annexed amendments in its entirety for containerships, the keels of which were laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 January 2015;
  2. apply sections 4.4 (Training and familiarization), 7.1 (Introduction), 7.3 (Maintenance) and section 8 (Specialized container safety design) to existing containerships, the keels of which were laid or which are at a similar stage of construction before 1 January 2015; and
  3. apply the principles of this guidance contained in sections 6 (Design) and 7.2 (Operational procedures) to existing containerships as far as practical by the flag State Administration with the understanding that existing ships would not be required to be enlarged or undergo other major structural modifications as determined.

Any revisions to the Cargo Securing Manual (CSM) must be re-approved by DBS Engineering Department.

DBS Surveyors must ensure at the upcoming SOLAS/SAFCON surveys (irrespective of scope) that ships falling under the applicability of this regulation comply with the requirements.  A memo will be shown in the official survey status of the ship that Owners/ Managers may follow up through ERETES platform.

Share this post:

Related Posts