Guidelines for Health and Safety on Board Small Fishing Boats

It is easier to find a potential fault in Hydraulic systems. You can normally see a fault which is about to become a hazard. The fault will usually be a leak of some description.

Don’t just wipe up the leak and leave it. Leaks in hydraulic systems can give rise to:

• Larger leaks, catastrophic failure. Small leaks may warn you of a bigger weakness or a fault.
• Endangering the vessel. Leaks cause a drop in pressure which can lead to system failure. This can affect things like fishing gear recovery and steering and endanger the vessel.
• Fire If a significant leak suddenly appears it may spray over electrical equipment or a hot surface. In both cases a fire is likely to occur.
• Injury A leak on the deck, day or night can cause a crew member to loose their footing and either fall overboard or suffer an injury.

Hydraulic systems are very powerful and can cause fatalities if not treated with due respect.

Hydraulic fluid is a pollutant and therefore cannot be spilt into the sea.

Key points when working with hydraulic systems.

• Attend to leaks as soon as possible.
• If the leak can’t be fixed until the vessel is alongside, contain the leak so it doesn’t spread everywhere.
• Don’t leave temporary containment arrangements in place for longer than necessary.
• Wipe up leaks as soon as possible and make sure you address them as early as possible.
• Never by-pass limit switches on hydraulic gear, and test these regularly.
• Make sure guards are used to protect people from the hydraulic system wherever possible. If guards are not practical consider using a warning sign.
• Isolate electrical and oil supplies to hydraulic system before you start work on it.
• Store hydraulic fluids in the vessels’ tanks. Don’t leave drums and containers of hydraulic fluid on board if not absolutely necessary.
• Make sure you have an oil spill kit adjacent to where hydraulic maintenance work is being conducted.
• If working on hydraulics on deck equipment place rags in front of scuppers to prevent oil spilling into the sea if it is spilt on deck.