Contents
34.1 Objective and Scope of Application
34.2 Responsibilities
34.3 Qualification and Training
34.4 Documentation
34.5 Hot Work
34.6 Working at Height
34.7 Work Involving Exposure to Ionizing Radiation
34.8 Blasting and Hydroblasting Operations
34.9 Painting Activities
34.9 Cargo Handling
34.10 Scaffolding Erection and Dismantling
34.11 Portable Equipment
34.12 Temporary Electrical Installations
34.13 Tightness Testing
34.14 Temporary Fixing and Stabilization of Structural Elements
34.15 Services Supported by Floating Structures
34.16 Emergency Response Plan
34.17 Final Provisions
34.18 Glossary
34.1 Objective and Scope of Application
34.1.1 This Regulatory Standard specifies the minimum requirements and protection measures for occupational safety, health and working environment in shipbuilding, ship repair and ship dismantling industries.
34.1.2 Shipbuilding and ship repair activities refer to all operations carried out in dedicated facilities or on vessels and structures including ships, boats, speedboats, fixed and floating platforms and others.
34.2 Responsibilities
34.2.1 Employers shall ensure effective implementation of protective measures specified in this Standard, and shall:
a) Formally appoint a person in charge for the implementation of this Standard;
b) Ensure all protective measures stipulated herein are in place prior to commencement of any work;
c) Stop work immediately if environmental changes may pose risks to workers' physical and mental health;
d) Arrange preliminary risk analysis and issue work permits where applicable;
e) Conduct daily safety briefings before operation, covering work contents, working procedures, existing risks and protective measures, record the topics in written documents signed by participants and file them together with attendance records;
f) Keep workers informed of latest operational risks and existing as well as required control measures;
g) Take necessary measures to supervise contracted enterprises in complying with protective provisions of this Standard.
34.2.2 The employer shall create conditions for workers to cooperate in implementing the measures specified in this Standard. Workers may stop work immediately and report to their superiors in accordance with Item 34.2.1 c.
34.3 Qualification and Training
34.3.1 A qualified worker refers to personnel who have completed specialized vocational courses issued by officially recognized educational institutions.
34.3.2 A legally licensed professional means personnel with valid professional qualifications and registered with the corresponding industry regulatory council.
34.3.3 A trained worker is personnel who have received professional training under the guidance and supervision of legally licensed professionals.
34.3.4.1 Induction training shall have a minimum duration of six hours, covering:
a) Inherent risks of relevant operations;
b) Working conditions and working environment;
c) Collective protective equipment available at the workplace;
d) Correct use of personal protective equipment.
34.3.4.2 Periodic training shall last no less than four hours, conducted annually or upon resumption of work after absence of more than ninety days.
34.3.5 All training shall be arranged within regular working hours.
34.3.6 Workers shall be provided with training teaching materials.
34.4 Documentation
34.4.1 All documents specified in this standard shall be kept on-site for inspection by labor supervision auditors, representatives of Internal Accident and Harassment Prevention Committee and relevant trade union representatives, and shall be filed for no less than five years.
34.4.2 The Work Permit is a written document specifying all necessary risk control measures to ensure safe operation as well as emergency and rescue measures, which shall comply with the following requirements:
a) Issued in triplicate, one posted at work site, one delivered to direct supervisors of operators, and one filed for easy inquiry;
b) Specify minimum execution requirements and relevant provisions in preliminary risk analysis where applicable;
c) Signed by operation team members, direct supervisors and occupational safety and health practitioners, or the person in charge of standard implementation in absence of such practitioners;
d) Valid only within working shifts during operation duration. It may be re-approved by the authorized approver if working conditions and operation personnel remain unchanged.
34.4.3 The Preliminary Risk Analysis refers to initial assessment on potential risks, their causes, consequences and control measures, conducted by multidisciplinary technical teams and coordinated by occupational safety and health practitioners or the person in charge of standard implementation, and signed by all participants.
34.5 Hot Work
34.5.1 For the purpose of this Standard, hot work refers to welding, gouging, grinding, cutting and other operations that may produce ignition sources including heat, sparks or open flames.
34.5.1.1 Protective measures include general measures and special measures, applicable respectively to all conventional hot work operations and hot work carried out in non-designated areas.
General Measures
34.5.2 Preliminary Inspection
34.5.2.1 Preliminary inspection shall be conducted at hot work sites to ensure:
a) The workplace and surrounding areas are clean, dry and free from combustibles, flammables, toxic substances and pollutants;
b) The area is approved for operation only after confirming no conflicting activities are ongoing;
c) Hot work is performed by trained personnel in accordance with Clause 4 of Appendix I.
34.5.3 Fire Prevention
34.5.3.1 Employers shall implement the following fire prevention measures at hot work sites:
a) Eliminate or strictly control potential fire hazards;
b) Set up proper physical barriers against fire, splashes, high temperature, sparks and slag to prevent contact with combustible and flammable materials, and avoid disturbing concurrent operations and personnel passage;
c) Place fire-fighting facilities matching the type and quantity of on-site flammable and combustible substances near the operation area with unobstructed access;
d) Inspect the workplace and adjacent areas upon work completion to eliminate hidden fire risks.
34.5.4 Control of Fumes and Contaminants
34.5.4.1 The following measures shall be taken to control fumes and contaminants generated from hot work:
a) Thoroughly clean the surface and remove all cleaning agents before any operation;
b) Ensure adequate ventilation to discharge gases, vapors and fumes used or produced during hot work.
34.5.4.2 Work shall be suspended once on-site environmental conditions change. Conduct environmental assessment and take necessary measures to adjust ventilation conditions.
34.5.4.3 If the coating composition of workpieces or gases released during welding and heating is unknown, users shall wear self-contained breathing apparatus or compressed air line breathing protection in accordance with the Respiratory Protection Program.
34.5.5 Use of Gases
34.5.5.1 The following measures shall be implemented for hot work involving gas application:
a) Only use gases suitable for the operation in accordance with manufacturer's instructions;
b) Comply with all requirements specified in Chemical Safety Data Sheet;
c) Use calibrated pressure regulators matching the type of gas in use.
34.5.5.2 It is forbidden to install adapters between gas cylinders and pressure regulators.
34.5.5.3 For oxy-acetylene equipment, flame arresters shall be fitted on hose pipelines and torch inlets.
34.5.5.4 The gas pipeline system shall comply with the following requirements:
a) Conduct pre-operation inspection to ensure no leakage and normal working condition;
b) Carry out regular maintenance in accordance with enterprise procedures and manufacturer technical specifications.
34.5.5.5 Hoses may only be spliced with standard connectors conforming to manufacturer technical standards.
34.5.5.6 Gas cylinders shall meet the following requirements:
a) Placed vertically and firmly fixed, kept away from open flames, spark sources, heat sources and flammable substances;
b) Arranged to avoid accidental connection into any electric circuit;
c) Transported upright with valve caps tightened by dedicated fixed transport tools to prevent collision;
d) Valves shall be closed and valve caps fitted for idle or empty cylinders during storage.
34.5.5.7 Gas cylinders are prohibited from being placed in confined spaces.
34.5.5.8 All cylinder valves, torch valves and gas manifold valves shall be closed once work is suspended.
34.5.5.9 All supply hoses shall be disconnected upon completion of work.
34.5.5.10 Idle gas equipment and gas hoses shall not be placed inside confined spaces.
34.5.6 Electrical Equipment
34.5.6.1 Electrical equipment and accessories shall be earthed to a reliable earthing point and installed in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.
34.5.6.2 Electric cables shall be of suitable specification for intended use with intact insulation.
34.5.6.3 Cable terminals shall be kept in good condition free from breakage and cracked insulation, especially the terminal connected to workpieces.
34.5.6.4 All electrical connections shall be firm, clean and dry.
Special Measures
34.5.7 Preliminary risk analysis shall be adopted to:
a) formulate control measures;
b) confirm safety coverage range;
c) mark and isolate operation areas.
d) Assess the need for dedicated fire watch personnel and alarm systems;
e) Take other necessary arrangements as required.
34.5.8 The workplace shall be inspected prior to hot work commencement, and inspection results shall be recorded in the work permit.
34.5.9 All openings and troughs shall be sealed or shielded to prevent spark splashing, fire spreading and interference with other operations.
34.5.10 Where specified in preliminary risk analysis, fire watchers shall stay on site and keep constant communication with operating teams until work is fully completed.
34.5.10.1 Fire watchers shall receive professional fire prevention and fire fighting training delivered by qualified instructors, with syllabus and minimum training hours complying with Clause 1 of Appendix I herein.
NR-34 - Working Conditions and Working Environment in Shipbuilding, Repair and Dismantling Industry
