Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on ships refers to specialized gear worn by crew members to protect them from workplace hazards and reduce the risk of injury. Onboard ships, the working environment can be hazardous due to exposure to mechanical equipment, extreme weather, chemicals, fire, noise, and other risks. To ensure the safety of personnel, international maritime regulations, like those set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and national regulations, require proper use of PPE.
Here’s a breakdown of the common types of PPE used on ships:
1. Head Protection
- Hard hats or helmets: Protect against falling objects or head injuries when working in areas with cranes, overhead machinery, or during maintenance.
2. Eye and Face Protection
- Safety goggles or glasses: Protect eyes from chemical splashes, dust, and debris, especially in engine rooms, during welding, or when handling chemicals.
- Face shields: Provide full-face protection during activities like welding, grinding, or working with hazardous liquids.
3. Hearing Protection
- Earplugs or earmuffs: Protect against high levels of noise, particularly in engine rooms or areas with noisy machinery (e.g., generators or pumps).
4. Respiratory Protection
- Respirators or face masks: Used when working in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, during tank cleaning, handling chemicals, or in cases of fire and smoke inhalation risk.
5. Hand Protection
- Gloves: Different types of gloves protect against cuts, abrasions, chemicals, heat, and cold. Specific gloves are used depending on the job, like rubber gloves for chemical handling or heat-resistant gloves for welding.
6. Foot Protection
- Safety boots with steel toes: Prevent foot injuries from falling objects, slips, or exposure to chemicals and water. Some boots also have non-slip soles to reduce the risk of falls.
7. Body Protection
- Coveralls: Provide protection from dirt, chemicals, and other contaminants. Flame-retardant coveralls are used in fire-prone environments.
- Chemical suits: Worn during chemical handling to avoid direct contact with hazardous substances.
- Life jackets and immersion suits: Essential for survival in case of an emergency or abandon-ship situations, especially when entering cold water.
8. Fall Protection
- Safety harnesses and lifelines: Used when working at heights or overboard to prevent falls. This equipment is common during maintenance work on ship masts or superstructures.
9. Fire Protection
- Firefighting suits (Nomex suits): Worn by crew members responsible for firefighting duties onboard, these suits provide heat and flame resistance.
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA): Used in fire emergencies to ensure clean air supply in smoke-filled environments.
10. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
- Life vests or inflatable life jackets: Must be worn by crew members working near water or during emergencies to ensure buoyancy in case of accidental immersion.
The proper use of PPE onboard ships is crucial for maintaining safety, and crew members are typically trained to use PPE during their safety drills. Regular inspections of PPE, along with compliance with safety guidelines, contribute to preventing accidents and injuries at sea.
Maritime Mutual Insurance Association – Bulletin 014 – PPE – The Final Safety Barrier
CHIRP Maritime – Personal Protective Equipment for Woman Mariners – 2020
HESA – Personal protective equipment: getting the right fit for women – Autumn/Winter 2015