(MTP Ordinance No. 4,219, December 20, 2022)
Summary
30.1 Objective
30.2 Scope
30.3 Rights and Duties
30.4 Waterway Risk Management Program (PGRTA)
30.5 Health Protection
30.6 Internal Committee for Prevention of Accidents and Harassment (CIPA)
30.7 Onboard Health and Safety Group (GSSTB)
30.8 Nutrition
30.9 Cabins
30.10 Dining Halls and Recreation Areas
30.11 Kitchen
30.12 Sanitary Facilities
30.13 Areas for Washing, Drying, and Storing Work Clothes
30.14 Safety in Vessel Maintenance Operations
30.15 Cargo Handling
30.16 Machines and Equipment
30.17 Training and Education in Health and Safety
30.18 Access to the Vessel
30.19 General Health and Safety Provisions
30.20 Glossary
Annex I – Commercial Fishing
30.1 Objective
30.1.1 This Regulatory Standard (NR) and its annex set requirements for the protection and safeguarding of health and safety in waterways, outlining measures to be observed in organizations and work environments to prevent possible injuries or health issues.
30.2 Scope
30.2.1 This standard applies to work conducted on commercial vessels, flying the national flag, as well as those flying foreign flags, in terms of ratified International Conventions in force, used for transporting cargo or passengers, including vessels used for providing services.
30.2.1.1 Workers on vessels classified as commercial fishing are subject only to the Annex of this standard, without prejudice to the provisions in other regulatory standards.
30.2.2 Compliance with this Regulatory Standard does not exempt the organization from fulfilling other general and specific Regulatory Standards, other legal provisions on the matter, and those arising from conventions, agreements, and collective labor contracts.
30.2.3 Vessels classified under the Solas Convention, whose safety standards are audited by classification societies, are not subject to NR-10, NR-13, and NR-23, provided the class certificates are presented.
30.3 Rights and Duties
30.3.1 It is the responsibility of the employer or equivalent, in addition to the obligations provided in item 1.4 of NR-01, to formally designate and train at least one crew member effectively embarked as responsible for applying this NR.
30.3.2 It is the responsibility of the workers, in addition to the provisions of item 1.4 of NR-01, to inform the duty officer or any member of the Onboard Health and Safety Group (GSSTB) of any observed damages or deficiencies that may constitute risk factors for the worker or the vessel.
30.4 Waterway Risk Management Program (PGRTA)
30.4.1 The employer or equivalent must prepare and implement the PGRTA, for each vessel, under the terms of NR-01 and the provisions of this NR, based on the needs and peculiarities of waterway activities.
30.4.1.1 The preparation of the PGRTA does not exempt the organization from preparing and implementing the PGR in its establishments, under NR-01.
30.4.1.2 On vessels with up to 500 gross tonnage (GT), the employer or equivalent may opt to use a risk assessment tool to be provided by the Ministry of Labor and Welfare to structure the PGRTA and develop an action plan, considering the report produced by this tool.
30.4.1.3 Compliance with the provisions of subitem 30.4.1.1 does not exempt the employer or equivalent from fulfilling the other provisions of this NR.
30.4.2 The organization must prepare and maintain the following operational procedures on the vessel:
a) safety procedures in maintenance activities on an operating vessel;
b) guidance to workers on procedures to be adopted in extreme weather conditions and activity interruption in such situations;
c) safe access procedures to docked and anchored vessels;
d) safe cargo handling procedures;
e) safety procedures in activities involving other vessels, barges, oil platforms, and other maritime units; and
f) safety procedures for docking and anchoring maneuvers.
30.4.2.1 The procedures must comply with the risk inventory and the action plan of the PGRTA.
30.4.2.2 The procedures provided in subitem 30.4.2 must be attached to the PGRTA.
30.4.3 The PGRTA must be reviewed every 3 years, or when innovations and modifications occur in technologies, environments, processes, conditions, procedures, and work organization, or when inadequacies or insufficiencies in risk assessment and prevention measures are identified.
30.5 Health Protection
30.5.1 In addition to the provisions of NR-07, the Occupational Health Medical Control Program (PCMSO) must comply with the provisions of this item.
30.5.1.1 For waterway workers in the maritime group, the medical standards and the Health Certificate model (International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers – STCW) established in Table III of this NR must be adopted, without prejudice to the issuance of the Occupational Health Certificate (ASO), as per NR-07 and the provisions of this NR on the subject.
30.5.2 Medical exams include clinical and complementary exams conducted according to NR-07 specifications.
30.5.2.1 A copy of the Occupational Health Certificate (ASO) must be kept on the vessel in either physical or electronic form.
30.5.3 If the validity period of the medical exam expires during a crossing, it is extended until the vessel docks at a port with the necessary conditions for conducting these exams, observing a maximum period of forty-five days.
30.5.4 Other complementary exams may be conducted at the discretion of the responsible doctor, as long as they are related to the occupational risks identified and classified in the PGRTA.
30.5.5 Every vessel must be equipped with the necessary materials for first aid, considering the characteristics of the activity performed, and maintaining these materials stored in a suitable place and under the care of a trained person to provide first aid.
30.5.6 The infirmary, when existing, must:
a) be separated from other dependencies;
b) have appropriate space to store the ship’s materials and medicines;
c) have hot and cold water installations; and
d) have liquid and waste drainage.
30.5.6.1 The infirmary must not be used for purposes other than treating the sick.
30.5.6.2 The infirmary on SOLAS vessels must also comply with the provisions of the Maritime Authority Standards (NORMAM).
30.5.7 The employer or equivalent must facilitate workers’ access to health bodies for:
a) disease prevention and prophylaxis; and
b) vaccination.
30.6 Internal Committee for Prevention of Accidents and Harassment (CIPA)
30.6.1 The CIPA of organizations employing waterway workers will be constituted by the employees of each establishment, including waterway workers, effectively working on their own or third-party vessels, as established by this NR and NR-05, where not in conflict.
30.6.1.1 Waterway workers will be represented in the establishment’s CIPA with the largest number of workers, at a ratio of one full member for every ten vessels of the organization, or a fraction, and one alternate for every twenty vessels of the organization, or a fraction.
30.6.2 Waterway workers running for CIPA will be elected in a separate vote, with all rights guaranteed by current legislation.
30.6.2.1 Waterway workers on rest periods may participate in the electoral process, with the organization ensuring the necessary means for exercising their vote.
30.6.3 The employer will adopt the necessary means for the elected worker(s) to participate in CIPA meetings, including electronic communication means.
30.6.3.1 Participation via electronic communication means will be recorded in the minutes, signed by the other attendees, which will replace their signature.
30.6.4 The elected CIPA members, both full and alternates, when embarked, must participate in the monthly GSSTB meeting.
30.7 Onboard Health and Safety Group (GSSTB)
30.7.1 It is mandatory to establish GSSTB onboard national flag vessels with at least 500 GT.
30.7.1.1 The provisions of subitem 30.7.1 apply to foreign-flagged vessels operating for more than 180 days in Brazilian jurisdictional waters with Brazilian workers on board.
30.7.2 The GSSTB will operate under the guidance and technical support of the Specialized Services in Occupational Health and Safety (SESMT), in compliance with NR-04.
30.7.3 Composition
30.7.3.1 The GSSTB is under the responsibility of the vessel’s captain and must include the following crew members:
a) safety officer;
b) chief engineer;
c) representative of the subordinate technical level of the deck department;
d) person in charge of the health unit, if available; and
e) representative of the subordinate technical level of the engine department.
30.7.3.1.1 If the vessel does not have the above crew members, the members can be replaced by other crew members with similar functions.
30.7.3.2 When the vessel’s crew is registered on the port roll, the GSSTB will consist of a representative from each waterway section of the roll crew, with at least one GSSTB for every five vessels or fraction in the company.
30.7.3.3 The captain will provide the GSSTB members with the necessary means to perform their functions and fulfill the group’s decisions.
30.7.4 The GSSTB aims to maintain procedures that ensure health and safety at work, striving to act preventively.
30.7.4.1 GSSTB members must be trained to perform the duties listed in subitem 30.7.5.
30.7.5 GSSTB duties:
a) ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, aiming at preserving health and safety onboard;
b) evaluate whether existing occupational accident and disease prevention measures comply with the PGRTA;
c) report potential occupational risks not foreseen in the PGRTA and suggest prevention measures;
d) check and report deficiencies in safety and lifesaving systems and equipment;
e) fill out the accident statistical chart, as per the model in Table I, and prepare a report, forwarding it to the employer;
f) participate in planning and conducting regulatory safety drills, as specified in the NR and NORMAM, evaluating the results and proposing corrective measures;
g) promote onboard educational talks and discussions, as well as distribute publications and/or audiovisual resources related to the group’s purposes;
h) identify health and safety training needs for the crew;
i) contribute to improving working conditions and well-being onboard; and
j) ensure the adoption of collective protection measures and that everyone on board receives and uses personal protective equipment appropriate to the risk.
30.7.6 Meetings
30.7.6.1 The GSSTB will hold mandatory regular sessions at least once every 30 days.
30.7.6.1.1 GSSTB meetings must cover at least the following topics:
a) reading the minutes of the previous meeting and tracking pending items;
b) reports on observed risk factors onboard;
c) assessment of existing onboard accident and work-related disease prevention measures;
d) verification of the correct operation of safety and lifesaving systems and equipment;
e) report of any deficiencies in safety and lifesaving systems and equipment;
f) presentation of accident and dangerous occurrence investigation results from the previous month, and corrective actions taken and proposed;
g) identification of crew training needs regarding health and safety;
h) assessment of the ship’s condition regarding habitability, comfort, tidiness, and cleanliness, defining corrective actions;
i) analysis of unfulfilled material requests affecting safety; and
j) information on the data from Table I regarding accident statistics for the previous month.
30.7.6.2 Extraordinary meetings will occur in the following situations:
a) at the captain’s initiative;
b) upon written request from the majority of GSSTB members to the captain;
c) when an onboard accident results in death or disappearance, serious injury, or significant material damage; and
d) in the event of incidents, practices, or procedures that may pose risks to onboard work.
30.7.6.3 The hours dedicated to fulfilling GSSTB duties, which must be performed during the workday, will be considered actual work hours.
30.7.6.4 The captain may call any other crew member to participate in GSSTB meetings.
30.7.6.5 Minutes will be prepared at the end of each meeting regarding the discussed issues.
30.7.6.5.1 Meeting minutes will be archived onboard, with copies sent to the organization’s management or, when available, directly to SESMT, to be presented at the next regular CIPA meeting.
30.7.6.6 Annually, the GSSTB will meet onboard with company SESMT representatives at a chosen national port to monitor, monitor, and evaluate the group’s activities.
30.7.6.6.1 If the company SESMT representative cannot be onboard, the meeting may be held via videoconference, covering a maximum of 20% of the company’s fleet in this virtual meeting mode.
30.7.6.6.1.1 Fractional units resulting from the percentage calculation in subitem 30.7.6.6.1 will not be considered.
30.7.6.6.1.2 The organization must justify the unavailability to the captain, who will record it in the GSSTB meeting minutes.
30.7.6.7 When the employer is not required to maintain the SESMT, they must hire a specialized health and safety consultancy for the annual evaluation of GSSTB activities.
30.7.7 Communications and Provisions
30.7.7.1 It is the captain’s responsibility to:
a) communicate and disseminate the regulations the crew must know and comply with regarding health and safety, especially the PGRTA;
b) inform the crew of the legal sanctions that may arise from non-compliance with this regulatory standard and other general and special standards concerning onboard work; and
c) forward the GSSTB meeting minutes to the company, requesting action on items that could not be resolved with onboard resources.
30.7.7.2 It is the employer or equivalent’s responsibility to:
a) analyze the group’s proposals, implementing them whenever feasible and, in any case, inform the GSSTB of their reasoned decision;
b) ensure that the captain knows the safety measures to be taken when transporting hazardous substances; and
c) promote the necessary means for fulfilling the GSSTB duties provided in subitems 30.7.4 and 30.7.5.
30.8 Nutrition
30.8.1 Every commercial vessel must have provisions of food and potable water onboard, considering:
a) the duration and nature of the trip;
b) the number of crew members; and
c) emergency situations.
30.8.1.1 Food and potable water must be stored in a place that preserves their characteristics and properties for consumption.
30.8.1.2 To maintain the health and hygiene of workers on vessels where meals are prepared onboard, activities related to preparing and executing the balanced menu must be performed by a cook, in compliance with NORMAM and applicable sanitary legislation.
30.8.1.2.1 Vessels with journeys shorter than twelve hours and navigating in areas where shore-based food support is available, guaranteeing hygienic-sanitary conditions in compliance with applicable sanitary legislation, are exempt from having a cook.
30.9 Cabins
30.9.1 Crew members must have individual beds.
30.9.2 Beds must be placed at a distance from each other to allow access to one without passing over the other.
30.9.3 The upper bed must be equipped with a fixed ladder for safe access.
30.9.4 Stacking more than two beds is prohibited.
30.9.5 Stacking beds along the vessel’s side is prohibited if it obstructs the ventilation and natural lighting provided by a porthole.
30.9.6 Beds must:
a) be placed at least 30 cm (12 inches) above the floor;
b) have internal dimensions of at least 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) by 0.80 m (2 ft 7 in);
c) have mattresses certified by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (INMETRO) or an International Certification Body; and
d) have artificial or supplementary lighting.
30.9.7 The employer is responsible for providing, maintaining, and sanitizing mattresses and bedding.
30.9.8 Cabins on vessels over 500 GT must be equipped with:
a) a table or desk;
b) a mirror;
c) a cabinet for personal hygiene items;
d) a bookshelf;
e) hangers for hanging clothes;
f) an individual closet; and
g) a trash can.
30.9.8.1 Furniture must be made of smooth, durable material that does not deform from corrosion.
30.9.9 In cases where any accommodation has been previously used by a crew member with an infectious disease, the area must be disinfected according to Health Authority protocols.
30.10 Dining Halls and Recreation Areas
30.10.1 Floors must be made of non-slip material, and bulkheads must be free of irregularities and depressions.
30.10.1.1 Floors and bulkheads must be kept clean and maintained.
30.10.2 Tables and chairs must:
a) have devices for securing them to the floor;
b) be made of moisture-resistant material;
c) be easy to clean; and
d) be in perfect condition for use.
30.10.3 Vessels larger than 3,000 GT must have leisure rooms with appropriate furniture.
30.10.3.1 On smaller vessels, the dining room can be used as a leisure room.
30.11 Kitchen
30.11.1 Smoke, vapor, and odor capture must be achieved using an exhaust system.
30.11.2 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) containers and their connections must be:
a) certified according to Brazilian technical standards or applicable international technical standards; and
b) installed in a ventilated, signed, and protected outdoor area.
30.11.2.1 Pipes used for gas distribution must be adequately protected against heat and, if flexible, must meet Brazilian or applicable international technical standards.
30.11.3 Stoves must be equipped with devices that prevent pots and utensils from falling or moving during the vessel’s movement.
30.12 Sanitary Facilities
30.12.1 Vessels must have sanitary facilities meeting the following requirements:
a) floors must be made of non-slip, waterproof, easy-to-clean material and have a drainage system;
b) the areas must be well-lit and ventilated;
c) sinks must have a supply of fresh water, hot and cold;
d) toilets must have sufficient flushing pressure, allowing their operation at any time and individual control, and, if necessary, have a nearby bidet;
e) when multiple toilets are installed in the same area, they must be designed to ensure user privacy; and
f) sanitary facilities must be kept in permanent good condition and cleanliness.
30.13 Areas for Washing, Drying, and Storing Work Clothes
30.13.1 All vessels with 500 GT or more must have washing and drying machines for work clothes.
30.13.1.1 Vessels with less than 500 GT must provide means and places for washing and drying work clothes.
30.13.2 Washing facilities must have a supply of fresh water.
30.13.3 There must be a well-ventilated and easily accessible place to store work clothes.
30.14 Safety in Vessel Maintenance Operations
30.14.1 Maintenance activities on operating vessels must comply with the provisions of this item.
30.14.1.1 This item does not apply to vessels in commissioning.
30.14.1.2 Crew members must not perform maintenance work concurrently with watch, navigation, cargo, or discharge activities.
30.14.2 The vessel’s captain must:
a) ensure the implementation of preventive measures before starting any maintenance work;
b) ensure the Risk Analysis (AR) is carried out and, when applicable, issue the Permit to Work (PTW); c) inform workers about maintenance activity risks and the preventive measures to be taken;
d) ensure that work is immediately interrupted when environmental conditions change, making them potentially dangerous to workers’ physical integrity; and
e) provide conditions for crew members to collaborate in implementing the measures provided in this Standard, as well as immediately stop the work, as provided in subitem “d.”
30.14.3 All maintenance work on an operating vessel must be preceded by AR.
30.14.3.1 The AR must indicate the need for issuing PTW.
30.14.3.2 The AR must be:
a) conducted by the technical team involved in the maintenance activity;
b) coordinated by the person responsible for applying this NR onboard;
c) recorded in a document; and
d) signed by all analysis participants, with electronic signatures permitted.
30.14.4 The PTW must contain:
a) the provisions and measures established in the AR;
b) the minimum requirements to be met for the activity execution; and
c) the work team’s participants and their authorizations.
30.14.4.1 The PTW must be:
a) approved by the person responsible for applying this NR onboard;
b) signed by the work team’s participants and immediate supervisor; and
c) available at the activity execution site.
30.14.4.2 The PTW must be valid only for the activity duration, renewable by the responsible person if there are no changes in the established conditions or work team.
30.14.4.2.1 The PTW’s validity cannot exceed 24 hours.
30.14.5 Hot work, spray painting, and sandblasting activities are subject to the provisions of subitem 30.14.4.
30.14.6 Services in confined spaces must only be performed according to NR-33 – Health and Safety in Confined Spaces.
30.14.7 For work at height, besides complying with NR-35 (Work at Height), the following measures must be taken:
a) isolation and signing of the entire area affected by the service before starting activities; and
b) measures to prevent the fall of tools and materials, including during work stoppages.
30.14.7.1 Work at height must be immediately stopped in case of:
a) insufficient lighting;
b) adverse weather conditions such as rain, relative wind speeds exceeding 20 knots, and waves higher than 2.5 meters (8.2 feet); and
c) longitudinal and transverse movements that may pose risks to the worker.
30.15 Cargo Handling
30.15.1 Lifting equipment and accessories must be certified.
30.15.1.1 New certification must occur according to the period established in national technical standards or in accordance with the certifying body’s recommendation, within a maximum period of 5 years.
30.15.2 All cargo handling equipment must display its maximum load capacity legibly and visibly.
30.15.3 Lifting equipment and accessories must undergo inspections:
a) initial, before entering operation;
b) periodic;
c) occasional; and
d) daily, before starting any handling.
30.15.3.1 Initial and periodic inspections of lifting equipment and accessories must be performed by qualified workers under the supervision of a legally qualified professional or by Classification Societies recognized by the competent Authority, certifying their good condition and operation according to national legislation.
30.15.3.1.1 The inspection periodicity must follow the inspection calendar, with intervals between inspections not exceeding twelve months, according to the recommendations:
a) of the manufacturer;
b) of the certifying body; or
c) from the last inspection.
30.15.3.1.2 After the initial and periodic inspections, an inspection report must be issued by a legally qualified professional.
30.15.3.1.2.1 The periodic inspection report must contain:
a) criteria and technical standards used;
b) inspected items;
c) non-conformities found, describing those preventing and not preventing the equipment operation;
d) corrective measures taken for non-conformities preventing operation;
e) correction schedule for non-preventive irregularities that do not pose, individually or collectively, a danger to workers’ safety and health;
f) date set for the next inspection; and
g) conclusive opinion on the equipment operation.
30.15.3.1.2.1.1 For foreign-flagged vessels operating in Brazilian jurisdictional waters (AJB), the periodic inspection report from the country of origin will be accepted, with the content provided in subitem 30.15.3.1.2.1 required in the next periodic inspections.
30.15.3.2 Occasional inspections must be conducted when maintenance, repair, or damage that may affect the safe operation of the equipment occurs, in accordance with the manufacturer’s or certifying body’s recommendations.
30.15.3.3 Daily inspections must be carried out by the equipment operator or qualified worker before starting any handling each workday.
30.16 Machines and Equipment
30.16.1 Machines and equipment used in waterways must comply with NR-12 (Machinery and Equipment Safety).
30.16.1.1 The provisions of the previous subitem do not apply to machines and equipment certified by the Flag State Authority or by a Classification or Certification Society recognized by it, provided all technical safety requirements for the machine or equipment construction are met and maintained according to the vessel’s design.
30.16.2 The minimum distance between machines, according to their characteristics, applications, and the vessel’s design, must ensure workers’ safety and health during operation, maintenance, adjustment, cleaning, and inspection.
30.16.3 Circulation and material storage areas and spaces around machines must be maintained according to the vessel’s design, allowing workers and material transporters to move safely.
30.17 Training and Education in Health and Safety
30.17.1 In addition to the provisions of NR-01, health and safety training must comply with the provisions of this item.
30.17.1.1 The service provider of non-crew professionals must require the service provider’s training certificate for the activities to be performed.
30.17.2 All training involving machine or equipment operation must have a program content compatible with the machine or equipment to be used.
30.17.3 Initial Training
30.17.3.1 Initial training will be in-person, applied to all crew members, and have a minimum duration of 4 hours, covering at least the following program content:
a) basic safety training:
I – workplace conditions;
II – risks inherent to the activities performed;
III – proper use of personal and collective protective equipment; and
b) in case of machine or equipment operation, the mentioned in subitem 30.17.2.
30.17.3.2 Periodic training must be applied every 2 years and cover at least the initial training content.
30.18 Access to the Vessel
30.18.1 Safe access for boarding and disembarking the vessel must be guaranteed.
30.18.2 Access to docked vessel
30.18.2.1 Ladders, gangways, ramps, and other access means to vessels must be maintained in good condition and clean, preserving the characteristics of non-slip surfaces.
30.18.2.2 Ladders and gangways for vessel access must have handrails.
30.18.2.2.1 Handrails must offer resistance and support throughout their length, and when made of ropes or steel cables, they must always be taut.
30.18.2.3 Placing electrical extensions, hoses, hoses, and similar items on the structures and handrails of vessel access ladders and gangways is prohibited.
30.18.2.4 Access ladders to vessels or complementary structures must meet the following requirements:
a) be supported on land;
b) compensate for the vessel’s movements;
c) have a width that allows safe passage; and
d) have a safety net against falls.
30.18.2.4.1 The vessel must keep the following documentation for the ladders:
a) certification according to applicable technical standards;
b) permanent identification that allows correlating the equipment to the certification;
c) identification of the date it was put into service; and d) repair records.
30.18.2.4.2 The safety net must meet the following requirements:
a) be kept in perfect condition;
b) be mounted involving the lower part of the access means; and
c) protect the entire length of the access means.
30.18.2.5 The accommodation ladder must be positioned in relation to the horizontal plane to allow safe access to the vessel at a maximum angle of 55 degrees, unless designed and constructed for use at greater angles and properly marked with this information.
30.18.2.6 The supports and suspension cables of the ladders connected to the winch must not create obstacles to people’s circulation and must ensure the ladder’s stability.
30.18.2.7 Gangways, ramps, or access walkways, combined or not with accommodation ladders, not certified by an Organization Recognized by the Maritime Authority of the vessel’s flag must meet the following specifications:
a) be of rigid design;
b) have a minimum width of 0.80 m (31.5 inches);
c) have cross battens at intervals between 0.35 m (13.8 inches) and 0.45 m (17.7 inches) along the entire floor length;
d) have handrails on both sides of their length, with a double guardrail, the top rail at a height of 1.10 m (43.3 inches) and the intermediate rail at a height between 0.50 m (19.7 inches) and 0.70 m (27.6 inches) measured from the floor surface and perpendicular to the ladder’s longitudinal axis;
e) have devices that allow them to be firmly fixed to the vessel’s ladder or structure at one end; and
f) the end that rests on the dock must have a rotary device to follow the vessel’s movement.
30.18.2.8 Workers are prohibited from accessing vessels using lifting equipment, except in rescue and salvage operations.
30.18.2.9 Access to docked vessels using Jacob’s ladders is prohibited.
30.18.3 Access to anchored vessel
30.18.3.1 Devices used to transfer people to anchored vessels must allow safe boarding and disembarking, kept clean, and regularly inspected.
30.18.3.2 Boarding and disembarking people must be supervised by a designated crew member with means of communication with the bridge.
30.18.3.3 Mechanical equipment for aiding boarding must be inspected before use and operated by qualified workers.
30.18.3.4 The access ladder to the vessel must be primarily the accommodation ladder.
30.18.3.5 When Jacob’s ladders are used, they must meet the following requirements:
a) be installable on either side of the vessel, in a safe position without the risk of receiving occasional discharges from the ship;
b) be sufficiently distant, as much as possible, from the vessel’s edges and located on the flat side amidships;
c) be launched leeward;
d) not require a climb shorter than 1.50 m (4 ft 11 in) or longer than 9 m (29 ft 6 in);
e) when the climb height exceeds 9 m, the climb from the Jacob’s ladder must be assisted by the accommodation ladder;
f) be assembled by qualified crew members under their supervision;
g) each step must firmly rest on the vessel’s side;
h) steps must be evenly spaced;
i) the support point for the ladder’s attachment, shackles, and fixing cables must be as strong as the ladder’s side cables;
j) there must be a crossbar at least 180 cm (70.9 inches) long at most every 9 steps; and
k) crossbars must not be placed between steps.
30.18.3.6 Access to the vessel’s deck must be kept safe, unobstructed, and lit.
30.18.3.7 The following equipment must be kept on hand and ready for immediate use during boarding and disembarking operations:
a) two safety ropes attached to the vessel’s deck;
b) a lifebuoy with an automatic light; and
c) a heaving line.
30.18.3.8 Workers accessing anchored vessels must wear life jackets.
30.19 General Health and Safety Provisions
30.19.1 Corridors, cabins, dining rooms, and recreation rooms must ensure safety and protection against weather and navigation conditions, as well as insulation from heat, cold, excessive noise, vibrations, and fumes from other parts of the vessel.
30.19.1.1 The vessel must have emergency escape routes and exits, signed and unobstructed, for crew passage.
30.19.2 Steam pipes, gas exhaust pipes, and other similar pipes must not pass through crew accommodations or serving corridors.
30.19.2.1 If, for technical reasons, these pipes must pass through such corridors, they must be insulated and protected.
30.19.3 Every vessel must be equipped with a ventilation system that maintains air in satisfactory atmospheric conditions, sufficiently meeting any climatic circumstances.
30.19.4 Every vessel, except those exclusively for tropical navigation, must be equipped with a heating system that ensures thermal comfort in the crew’s accommodations.
30.19.4.1 Radiators and other heating equipment must be installed to avoid danger or discomfort for the accommodation occupants.
30.19.5 All crew areas must be well-lit.
30.19.5.1 When sufficient natural light is not possible, an artificial lighting system must be installed.
30.19.6 On vessels where applying subitems 30.10.3 and 30.19.1 creates structural modifications technically incompatible with the available areas or renovations affecting the vessel’s safety, the shipowner must present an alternative technical project for approval by the competent authority, and for classified or certified vessels, the approval of the vessel’s classification or certification society.
30.20 Glossary
Commissioning Vessel: Vessel, under the responsibility of a shipyard, in the process of ensuring that its systems and components are designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained according to operational needs and requirements. Commissioning can apply to new vessels or those undergoing expansion, modernization, or adjustment.
Dangerous Occurrence: An occurrence that, without causing harm to workers’ health or physical integrity, has the potential to cause such harm.
Equivalent: Considered equivalent to the employer is the person or entity with some management over the vessel or its crew, whether as owner, shipowner, charterer, operator, or representative.
Handling Accessories: Devices used in cargo handling, situated between the cargo and the transport equipment’s lifting cable, such as pulleys, slings, shackles, scales, chains, clamps, swivels, lifting eyes, straps, and hooks.
Knot: A unit of speed measurement derived from the nautical mile. One knot equals one nautical mile per hour or 1,852 meters per hour.
Leeward: The side opposite the wind or the side sheltered from the wind.
Maintenance on an Operating Vessel: The set of procedures performed to maintain or restore equipment, installations, or machinery of a vessel during its operation to its originally required function.
Operating Vessel: Any vessel in transit or engaged in maritime support services of any kind, anchored, docked in loading and unloading activities, maintenance activities, and not under a shipyard’s contractual responsibility.
Port Roll: A valid document issued according to the model established by the Brazilian Navy (DPC-2304 model), containing the boarding and disembarking of a company’s vessel crew employed in interior navigation. It is issued by shipowners, allowing the movement of their crew on their vessels according to service convenience.
Relative Wind: Wind resulting from the vector sum of the real wind and the wind induced by the vessel’s speed.
Risk Analysis: Assessment of potential risks, their causes, consequences, and preventive measures.
Permit to Work (PTW): A written document containing a set of preventive measures for safe work development, including emergency and rescue measures.
Table I of NR-30
| ACCIDENT STATISTICS CHART | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMPANY: | YEAR: | ||||
| SHIP: | |||||
| (1) MAN HOURS OF RISK EXPOSURE | NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS | ACCIDENT FREQUENCY | |||
| MONTH | QUANTITY | (2) Non Lost Time Injury (NLTI) | (3) Lost Time Injury (LTI) | (4) NLTI Frequency | (5) LTI Frequency |
| JAN | |||||
| FEB | |||||
| MAR | |||||
| APR | |||||
| MAY | |||||
| JUN | |||||
| JUL | |||||
| AUG | |||||
| SEP | |||||
| OCT | |||||
| NOV | |||||
| DEC | |||||
| TOTAL | |||||
(1) Total hours at the employer’s disposal (number of crew members x 24 hours x 30 days).
(2) Those in which the employee returns to their normal activities on the same day or the next workday’s start.
(3) Those in which the employee does not return to their normal activities on the same day or the next workday’s start.
(4) Number of non-lost time injuries x 1,000,000 / number of man-hours of exposure.
(5) Number of lost time injuries x 1,000,000 / number of man-hours of exposure.
Table II of NR-30
| BASIC MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MEDICAL EXAMS | ||
|---|---|---|
| General requirements for all workers during the medical exam: | ||
| a) not present any disturbance in their sense of balance, being able to move on slippery, uneven, and unstable surfaces; b) not present any limitation or disease that may prevent their normal movement and performance of routine physical activities onboard, including squatting, kneeling, bending, and reaching objects above shoulder height; c) be able to climb and descend, without assistance, vertical and inclined ladders; d) be able to hold, lift, turn, and handle various common tools, open and close levers and valve wheels, and operate common equipment; e) be able to maintain a normal conversation; f) not present symptoms of mental or behavioral disorders; g) dentition – minimum of 10 natural teeth or similar prosthesis in each arch, not compromising normal articulation and soft tissues. | ||
| Visual Acuity | ||
| Sufficient with correction to perform their activities or functions onboard. | For workers who become monocular in service, without evidence of progressive degenerative disease, a visual acuity with correction compatible with their activities or functions onboard will be required. | |
| MINIMUM SPECIFIC STANDARDS | ||
| Onboard function | Basic Visual Acuity | Corrected Visual Acuity |
| Commander, Nautical Officers, and Subordinates of the Deck Department. | Without Correction 6 / 60 = 0.6 | 6 / 6 in the best eye = 1 and 6 / 12 = 0.5 in the other eye |
| Crew member who became monocular in service with evidence of progressive disease in the remaining eye | ||
| Commander, Nautical Officers, and Subordinates of the Deck Department. | Without Correction 6 / 60 = 0.6 | 6 / 6 = 1 in the remaining eye |
| Onboard function | Basic Visual Acuity | Corrected Visual Acuity |
| Engine Officers and Subordinates of the Engine Department | Without Correction 6 / 60 = 0.6 | 6 / 18 = 0.4 |
| Crew member who became monocular in service with evidence of progressive disease in the remaining eye | ||
| Engine Officers and Subordinates of the Engine Department | Without Correction 6 / 60 = 0.6 | 6 / 9 = 0.6 in the remaining eye |
For all onboard functions, the minimum specific standards will be considered:
- No significant evident conditions of double vision (diplopia);
- Sufficient visual fields and no evidence of pathologies;
- Mild and moderate color vision deficiencies will be tolerated according to the criteria established in the tests used.
Table III of NR-30
MEDICAL STANDARDS AND MODEL OF HEALTH CERTIFICATE (INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION, AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS – STCW) FOR MARITIME GROUP AQUAVIARY WORKERS OPERATING CLASSIFIED VESSELS FOR OPEN SEA NAVIGATION AND MARITIME SUPPORT.
| BASIC MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR MEDICAL EXAMS | |
|---|---|
General requirements during the medical exam: a) not present any disturbance in their sense of balance, being able to move on slippery, uneven, and unstable surfaces; b) not present any limitation or disease that may prevent their normal movement and performance of routine and emergency physical activities onboard during the validity period of their medical certificate, including squatting, kneeling, bending, and reaching objects above shoulder height; c) be able to climb and descend, without assistance, vertical and inclined ladders; d) be able to hold, lift, turn, and handle various common tools, open and close levers and valve wheels, and operate common equipment; e) demonstrate adequate hearing and speech to communicate effectively and detect any sound alarms; f) not present symptoms of mental or behavioral disorders; g) dentition – minimum of 10 natural teeth or similar prosthesis in each arch, not compromising normal articulation and soft tissues; h) not suffer from any health problem that may be aggravated by sea service or render the aquaviary worker unfit for such service, or endanger the health and safety of others onboard; i) not be taking any medication with side effects that may impair any requirements for effective and safe performance of routine and emergency duties onboard; j) have physical fitness compatible with personal survival techniques, fire prevention and firefighting, elementary first aid, personal safety, and social responsibilities. | |
| Visual Acuity | |
| Sufficient with correction to perform their activities or functions onboard. | For aquaviary workers who become monocular in service, without evidence of progressive degenerative disease, a visual acuity with correction compatible with their activities or functions onboard will be required. |
MINIMUM VISION STANDARDS IN SERVICE
| STCW Convention Rule | Waterway Category | Vision for far with correction1 | Vision for near | Vision of Colors3 | Visual Fields4 | Night Blindness4 | Diplopia (double vision)4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| One eye | Other eye | Both eyes together, with or without correction | ||||||
| I/11 II/1 II/2 II/3 II/4 II/5 VII/2 | Commander, Deck department officers, and deck subordinates required to perform watchkeeping duties | 0.52 | 0.5 | Vision required for ship navigation (e.g., chart and nautical publications reading, use of instruments and equipment on the bridge, and identification of navigation aids) | See Note 6 | Normal visual fields | Vision required to perform all necessary functions in the dark without compromising performance | No significant problem evident |
| 1/11 III/1 III/2 III/3 III/4 III/5 III/6 III/7 VII/2 | All engine officers, electrotechnical officers, electrotechnical subordinates, and other subordinates | 0.45 | 0.4 (See Note 5) | Vision required to read nearby instruments, operate equipment, and identify systems/components as needed | See Note 7 | Sufficient visual fields | Vision required to perform all necessary functions in the dark without compromising performance | No significant problem evident |
| I/11 IV/2 | GMDSS radiocommunicators | 0.4 | 0.4 | Vision required to read nearby instruments, operate equipment, and identify systems/components as needed | See Note 7 | Sufficient visual fields | Vision required to perform all necessary functions in the dark without compromising performance | No significant problem evident |
Notes:
- Values provided on the Snellen decimal scale.
- A value of at least 0.7 in one eye is recommended to reduce the risk of undetected underlying eye disease.
- As defined in the International Recommendations for Color Vision Requirements for Transport by the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE-143-2001, including any later versions).
- Subject to evaluation by a clinical vision specialist when indicated by initial examination findings.
- Engine department personnel must have a combined vision of at least 0.4.
- CIE Color Vision Standard 1 or 2.
- CIE Color Vision Standard 1, 2, or 3.
GUIDELINES FOR ASSESSING THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION AND FOR SERVICE CONTINUATION:
| TASK, FUNCTION, EVENT, OR ONBOARD SITUATION | RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS | A MEDICAL EXAMINER must be convinced that the candidate: |
|---|---|---|
| Routine movements on slippery, uneven, and unstable surfaces; risk of injury | Maintain balance | Does not have any disturbance of the sense of balance. |
| Routine access between levels; emergency reaction procedures | Climbing and descending vertical and inclined ladders | Is capable of climbing and descending, unassisted, vertical and inclined ladders. |
| Routine movements between spaces and compartments; emergency reaction procedures | Crossing coamings (e.g., up to 60 cm high) | Is capable of crossing, unassisted, a high door threshold (coaming). |
| Opening and closing watertight doors; manual crank systems; opening and closing valve wheels; handling cables; using hand tools (i.e., wrenches, fire axes, valve keys, hammers, screwdrivers, pliers) | Handling mechanical devices (manual and digital dexterity and strength) | Is capable of holding, lifting, and handling various common onboard tools; moving hands/arms to open and close valve wheels in vertical and horizontal directions; rotating wrists to turn cranks. |
| Gaining access throughout the ship; using tools and equipment; emergency reaction procedures must be promptly followed, including donning a life jacket or exposure suit | Moving with agility | Does not have any debilitation or disease that may hinder their movements and normal physical activities. |
| Handling onboard supplies; using tools and equipment; handling cables; following emergency reaction procedures | Lifting, pulling, pushing, and carrying a load | Does not have any debilitation or disease that may hinder their movements and normal physical activities. |
| Storing at elevated locations; opening and closing valves | Reaching above shoulder height | Does not have any debilitation or disease that may hinder their movements and normal physical activities. |
| General ship maintenance; emergency reaction procedures, including damage control | Squatting (reducing height by bending knees); Kneeling (placing knees on the ground); Bending (reducing height by bending at the waist) | Does not have any debilitation or disease that may hinder their movements and normal physical activities. |
| Emergency reaction procedures, including escaping from smoke-filled compartments | Crawling (ability to move the body with hands and knees); Feeling (ability to handle or touch to examine or verify temperature differences) | Does not have any debilitation or disease that may hinder their movements and normal physical activities. |
| Standing watch for at least 4 hours | Standing and walking for long periods of time | Is capable of standing and walking for long periods of time. |
| Gaining access between compartments; following emergency reaction procedures | Working in confined spaces and moving through restricted openings (e.g., 60 cm x 60 cm) | Does not have any debilitation or disease that may hinder their movements and normal physical activities. |
| Reacting to alarms, warnings, and visual instructions; emergency reaction procedures | Distinguishing an object or shape at a certain distance | Meets the visual acuity standards specified by the competent authority. |
| Reacting to alarms and sound instructions; emergency reaction procedures | Hearing a sound at a specified dB level, at a specified frequency | Meets the auditory capacity standards specified by the competent authority. |
| Giving verbal information or drawing attention to suspicious or emergency situations | Describing surroundings and nearby activities and pronouncing words clearly | Is capable of maintaining a normal conversation. |
Notes:
1. The table above describes (a) the tasks, functions, events, and normal situations on board, (b) a corresponding physical ability that is considered necessary for the safety of a seafarer living and working on a ship at sea, and (c) a guideline for measuring the corresponding physical ability. Administrations should take these physical abilities into account when setting medical fitness standards.
2. This table is not intended to address all possible situations on board, nor all situations that may medically disqualify an individual; therefore, it should be used only as general guidance. Administrations should establish categories of seafarers subject to a physical fitness assessment for service on ships engaged in maritime navigation, taking into account the nature of the work they will be employed to do on board. For example, full application of these guidelines may not be appropriate in the case of entertainers who are not assigned tasks in the muster list. Furthermore, full attention should be given to special circumstances involving individual cases, as well as any known risks of allowing the individual to be employed on board the ship, and to what extent limited ability can be accommodated in a given situation.
3. The term “emergency reaction procedures,” as provided in this table, is intended to cover all standard emergency reaction measures, such as abandoning ship and firefighting, as well as the basic procedures to be followed by each seafarer to enhance their personal survival, to avoid creating situations where special assistance from other crew members is required.
4. The term “assistance” means the use of another person to perform the task.
5. In case of doubt, the medical examiner should quantify, through objective tests, the degree of severity of any disqualification impairment whenever appropriate tests are available, or refer the candidate for further evaluation.
6. The ILO Medical Examination (Seafarers) Convention, 1946 (No. 73) provides, among other things, the measures that should be taken to allow a person who, after an examination, has been denied a certificate, to request a re-examination by an independent medical referee or referees, who should be independent of any shipowner or any shipowners’ or seafarers’ organization.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE TEMPLATE (HEALTH CERTIFICATE)
In accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) for Seafarers in the Maritime Group Operating Vessels Classified for Open Sea Navigation and Seafarer Support.
| Health Certificate Name: Date of Birth: Gender: Nationality: Identification: CPF Id: Function: Type of Medical Exam: ( ) Pre-sea ( ) Periodic ( ) Other: ________________ Medical Coordinator: _________________________________________________________________ Occupational Risks: Physical: ( ) Absent ( ) Heat ( ) Noise ( ) Cold ( ) Vibration ( ) Others: _________________________________________________________________ Chemical: ( ) Absent ( ) Hydrocarbons ( ) Toxic Gases ( ) Chemical Products ( ) Others: _________________________________________________________________ Biological: ( ) Absent ( ) Microbiological pathogens ( ) Others: _________________________________________________________________ Additional Exams: Exam: Date: ( ) Fit for duty ( ) Unfit for duty I hereby certify that I was informed about the content of this document, and that I have the right to ask for recourse (appeal) if I do not agree with it. ___________________, ______ of ______________ of _________. Place and Date Doctor: Crewmember: This Health Certificate is valid for one year, except if clearly stated otherwise. In accordance with STCW Reg I/9, MLC-2006. |
Additional Information
| Question | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|
| Was the identity verified? | ||
| Is hearing adequate for boarding? | ||
| Is unaided hearing adequate? | ||
| Visual acuity meets standards in section A-I/9? | ||
| Is color vision adequate in accordance with STCW A-I/9? | ||
| Last color vision evaluation (Max. 6 years) | ||
| Any medical limitation or restriction? | ||
| If (Yes), specify: | ||
| Is the seafarer free from any medical condition likely to be aggravated by service at sea or to render the seafarer unfit for such service or to endanger the health and safety of other persons on board? |
____________________, ______ of ______________ of _________.
Place and Date
Doctor:
Crewmember: