Guidelines for Health and Safety on Board Small Fishing Boats

There are two main things you can do on board a vessel to prevent fires

• Keep the vessel tidy - good housekeeping is important
• Everyone on board must think ahead and try to identify fire risks during normal day to day operation of the vessel.

Here are some specific flammable hazards to look out for. On every vessel there will be other fire risks that are not on this list. Think carefully about your vessel and any other things you can do to prevent fires.

Diesel & petrol fuel and lubricating oils.

• Ensure no one smokes on board the vessel when taking on fuel.
• Make sure all leaks in pipe-lines, fittings and on engines are repaired immediately.
• Store flammable products separately and tidily.

Hydraulic oil

• Make sure all leaks in pipe-lines and fittings are repaired at the earliest opportunity after they are discovered.
• Regularly check hoses for deterioration.

LP Gas.
Many smaller vessels have LPG gas bottles for cooking.

• Ensure bottles are stowed in an area that they are least likely to be damaged.
• Gas bottles must be installed on the exposed weather-deck. Salt air and water will corrode the bottles, so it is best to keep them covered, ensure there is good ventilation to stop fumes building up.
• Regularly check hoses and fittings for deterioration.
• Install a simple gas detector/alarm.

Cooking fryers, elements and oils.
Fires often start on board vessels in the galley. They can start when crew members leave equipment turned on but leave the galley area. To reduce the risk of a galley fire:

• Install timed switches on galley equipment so it will turn off if left unattended.
• Ensure a smoke detector is fitted.
• Lock gas bottles shut when leaving vessel.

Electrical switchboards and connections.
On any vessel there are a range of control boxes, switches and sockets in areas exposed to physical damage.

• Ensure the flame-proof and water-proof enclosures are kept in excellent physical condition.
• Check regularly that contacts and connections inside are still tight. Remember a vessel is continually vibrating so connections do come loose which can create a hot spot.

Electric motors and generators.
These machines are often in areas where they are exposed to fumes and dust. The fumes and dust can get into the vents of the machine. Sparks from the electrics can ignite fumes or dust.

• Get a qualified person to regularly check the vents and remove grills to make sure internals of the machine are clean.
• Check at same time that connections inside are still tight.

Portable Electric Tools.

• Ensure tools (including leads and extension leads) are kept in excellent condition.
• Turn power off after use.
• Do not run leads across deck.

Welding, grinding and gas cutting.
Welding and cutting maintenance work is regularly required on board, and can be a significant fire hazard.

Fires that result from this work rarely start from where the work is done. Fires from welding usually start on the other side of the bulkhead when paint or insulation ignites or where sparks and lose metal fall. Fires from cutting work happen when sparks fly over an area. If these sparks fall into a nearby pile of rubbish, on an oily rag, or on a piece of paper a fire could start. In these examples the fire can develop a long time after the work was done.

• Always assign a crew member, or make sure the contractor has a worker, to check the opposite side to where welding work is being conducted. This should be done while the work is happening and for sometime after the welding has finished. The person doing it should use the back of his hand and have simply a wet rag and a bucket of water to dab onto any paint or panel that ignites.
• Insulation on the other side of the face being welded must be removed.
• Before allowing grinding or cutting work to proceed physically check the surrounding areas.
• Make sure the workmen have a fire extinguisher close by.
• Make contractors report to you before they start and when they finish.
• Check the area again one or two hours after work is completed.

Rags.
Rags are regularly used to wipe up oil or fuel spills and then tossed into nearby container.

• Dispose of oily rags in metal bin with a lid or sealed air tight bag.

Chemicals

• Read the data sheets supplied with chemicals. These can be extremely volatile if mixed with other substances.
• Get these supplied in robust and non-corrosive containers.
• Stow in a separate dry stowage on or immediately adjacent to the weather-deck.