Ships’ staff must operate equipment in a safe manner and maintain it in a safe condition at all times. Failure to do so will cause danger with serious consequences arising.
Keep in mind an essential list when working with electrical equipment.
Need to do on ship
- Get to know the ship’s electrical system and equipment. Study the ship’s diagrams to pinpoint the location of switches and protection devices supplying distribution boards and essential items of equipment.
- Write down this information in a note book.
- Become familiar with the normal indications on switchboard instruments so that abnormal operation can be quickly detected.
- Operate equipment according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Maintain equipment according to the manufacturer’s recommendations or the ship owner’s maintenance procedures.
- Ensure that all guards, covers and doors are securely fitted and that all bolts and fixings are in place and tight.
- Inform the Officer of the Watch before shutting down equipment for maintenance.
- Switch off and lock-off supplies, remove fuses, and display warning notices before removing covers of equipment for maintenance.
- Confirm that circuits are DEAD (by using an approved voltage tester) before touching conductors and terminals.
Do not
- Touch live conductors under any pretext.
- Touch rotating parts.
- Leave live conductors or rotating parts exposed.
- Overload equipment.
- Neglect or abuse equipment.
