Answer MEP Question 55

Q. As a second engineer, list out all the potential hazards with regard to hot work on a fuel oil heater located inside a bunker oil fuel tank. Explain how do you carry out a risk assessment for above mentioned hot work. What control measures do you employ so that residual risk shall be reduced as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

Ans: The risk assessment is a step by step process which involve:
• Hazard identification.
• Frequency assessment.
• Consequence assessment.
• Risk evaluation.

A. List of Potential Hazards:
In any operation, hazards could fall under the following headings:-
• Unsafe acts
• Unsafe conditions
• Human factors
• Job factors
Asking these three questions should help identify hazards:
• Is there a source of harm?
• Who(or what)could be harmed?
• How could harm occur?

The most common hazards in a hot-work inside bunker tank are:
a. Lack of oxygen.
b. Slippery surfaces.
c. Flammable liquid or gas present.
d. Insufficient illumination.
e. Improper tool.
f. Insufficient time.
g. Incompetent person.

B. How will you carry out a risk assessment for the above mentioned hot work:
Identified hazards should be evaluated for their consequences in relation to People, Environment, Property and Business. How severe can the loss be?
Hazards with severe consequences usually lead to a highrisk-ranking and suitable control measures need to be introduced.
In general, most controls reduce the probability and in very rare cases does the severity change the loss associated with the hazard’s realization.
• Risk to People: A person involved in the job may get injured or in an extreme case, he may die.
• Risk to Environment: Ranging from minor toxic gases to a major loss of cargo and fuel loss into the environment.
• Risk to Property: Ranging from loss of equipment used for carrying out the job to a loss of complete ship because of an explosion.
• Business Risks: Typical risks could be financial losses, fines, loss of reputation, bad publicity, and loss of charter.

C. Control Measures:
The control measures should be adopted keeping in mind all the potential hazards
• Know the person involve in the job, their skill, experience and fitness for the job.
• Prepare the safety checklist.
• Take work permit.
• Proper inspection of the space for suitability for working inside.
• Proper and periodic atmospheric checks.
• Use of certified tools and with proper condition.


Note: In Part A and C readers are advised to add more points as per their experience onboard ship.