Cargo Work

Question 1

Basic knowledge of special types of cargoes

Answer 1

• Hazardous goods
• Fragile cargo
• Oversize cargo
• Perishable cargo
• high-value cargo
• Unstable/loose cargo

Question 2

Cargo handling equipment, safe working loads, cargo register and port company regulations regarding loading/unloading cargo

Answer 2

• All securing and handling equipment to be operated within the company’s S.O.P’s.
• Handling equipment and securing apparatus must be fit for purpose
• Lifting equipment used only by trained personnel
• Lifting equipment must be inside the SWL
• PPE to be worn
• Communication to be used at all times while loading/unloading

Question 3

Knowledge of precautions to be taken, including use of gas monitoring equipment for entry of confined spaces

Answer 3

Hazzard/Risk assment - confined spaces that been sealed for may have limited oxygen, or a build up of other gasses or chemicals which can be harmful.

Enclosed spaces must be well ventilated prior to entry. Master and other crew must be alerted before entry to a confined space, you must have a safety/ contengancy plan in place before entry.

Gas monitoring equipment measures the level of oxygen, combustible gasses, Hydrogen Sulphide and Carbon Monoxide

Question 4

Knowledge of precautions to prevent a failure of cargo gear; heavy lift precautions

Answer 4

Equipment must be fit for purpose and inside the SWL of the task that will be taking place.

Equipment must be inspected as per the manufacture’s specifications and survey requirements and maintained properly.

Question 5

Knowledge of requirements under the IMDG Code including documentation and segregation and marking of dangerous goods

Answer 5

IMDG code requires dangerous goods to be correctly and safely:

    - Classified and identified
    - Secured correctly 
    - Marked, labelled and placarded
    - Documented
    - Segregated 

The 9 Types of Dangerous Goods:
1 - Explosive
2 - Gasses
3 - Flammable Liquids
4 - Flammable solids and other flammable substances
5 - Oxidising substances and organic peroxides
6 - Toxic and infectious substances
7 - Radioactive materials
8 - Corrosive substances
9 - Miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

Question 6

Knowledge of how to manage issues relating to bridge visibility

Answer 6

Cargo can be bulky, and can restrict visibility from the bridge. These issues can be managed by positioning additional lookouts to eliminate blind spots. It is always safer to load cargo in such a way that it doesn’t restrict visibility sometimes you can only archive this by not carrying as much cargo

Question 7

Knowledge of loading and discharging precautions

Answer 7

• PPE must be used when working in the vicinity of lifting and hauling cargo.
• A spotter who is clear of this can be used as a second set of eyes to assist if required.
• Two way communication to be used as well as hand signals between machinery operator and the person working with the cargo
• Following company S.O.P’s when loading and unloading
• Precautions to be taken in rough weather

Question 8

Knowledge of requirements to maintain a cargo watch and maintain records

Answer 8

Inspections of cargo at regulars intervals ensures that nothing has changed, and that cargo has not moved, become damaged in anyway and should be recorded in the cargo log.

• Plan and monitor loading and discharging cargo respective of the cargo plan
• Ensure safety of all crew involved in cargo operations
• have knowledge of the IMDG contained onboard
• handle reefer containers with care ?
• check lashings. especially with oversized cargo
• Ensure no unplanned activities are carried out

Question 9

Statutory requirements in relation to the testing and inspection of equipment and the required associated record keeping

Answer 9

New Zealand law requires a register of equipment used in the workplace. The register is updated and checked monthly to ensure the lifting equipment has no defects and is in good working order and fit for purpose.

MNZ part 49 - Lifting appliances to be examined/inspected by a competent person at least every 12 months and recorded in the register of equipment required