Technical
Safety Precautions during Machinery Maintenance in the Engine Room
Introduction The Engine Room is a complex space accommodating the majority of the most crucial pieces of machinery for the vessel’s operation such as the main engine, diesel generators, boilers, air compressors, coolers and pumps. Taking into consideration that every part of the Machinery equipment is also intertwined with piping systems, tanks, cabling, lifting arrangements and various tools, it is evident that works in the Engine Room can prove challenging. Therefore, when planning and executing maintenance or repairs on machinery, the crew must always take into consideration all the safety guidelines provided by the equipment Makers as well the precautions based on the nature of the work to be done e.g. welding, electrical works etc.. The following guidelines include crucial points to ensure safe and efficient work for machinery-related items onboard. a) Engine Room Personnel Maintenance jobs shall be carried out exclusively by qualified personnel using the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Attention must be paid to the following: • Safety shoes, hearing protection, work gloves and protective headwear must be worn when there is risk of falling objects, loud noises and sharp edges or oily surfaces. • Safety googles must be used when working with compressed air, hydraulics and grinders, or when there is risk of getting foreign objects in the eyes. • A fall protection harness and arrestor equipment is recommended when working in places on the engine where there is risk of falling or slipping. • Gloves made of neoprene or PVC shall be used when removing O-rings and other rubber/plastic-based sealing materials which have been subjected to abnormally high Figure 1: Personal Safety temperatures and may have a caustic effect when touched Protective Equipment directly. • Gloves must always be used when working on or near hot surfaces. • All crew members must ensure that their uniforms are clean, dry and properly cover the whole body.
4
Issue 73-September 2020
• Jewelry, wrist bands or rings must be removed before work as these can put the worker at risk, especially when working with rotatory tools or performing electrical work. • When working in groups, always discuss the procedure, action plan and hazards of the jobs prior to initiating the work. In all cases, without exception, please By Christina Toki consult the PPE Matrix that is included in FIM, with instructions on what PPE is required for each task. Also, never forget two of the strongest tools you have to stay safe during work: the Daily Work Planning Meeting (DWPM) and your LMRA cards (doing your Last Minute Risk Assessments BEFORE commencing any task). Follow them wisely and consistently, and stay safe! b) Special Dangers A number of situations may lead to risk of serious injury to the body. The following recommendations must always be observed: -- Opening cocks may cause discharge of hot liquids or gases -- Dismantling parts may cause the release of springs -- Do not stand near turbochargers in case of any abnormal running -- Do not stand near crankcase doors or relief valves nor in corridors near doors to the engine room if an alarm is set off for: • oil mist • high lube oil temperature • no piston cooling oil flow • or a scavenge box fire
Figure 2: Main Engine relief valves
c) Cleanliness The engine and engine room must always be kept clean, with floors and surfaces free of oil, soil and dirt.
Figure 4: Oil leakage on the M/E Figure 3: M/E Lower platform free of oil
