Safety in living accommodation

• Pages: 98-100

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23. Safety in living accommodation1

23.1. General provisions

23.1.1. Cabins and accommodation should be kept in a clean and tidy condition.

Shipowners should provide the necessary cleaning equipment for this purpose.

23.1.2. The emergency stations and duties of the occupants of each cabin should be

clearly displayed in that cabin or immediately adjacent to the door of the cabin. Seafarers

should read and memorize this information immediately upon being allocated the cabin.

23.1.3. Towels and clothing should be put away in their proper place when not in

use. Wet clothing should be hung in drying rooms and be kept clear of light bulbs,

radiators and other sources of heat.

23.1.4. (1) After smoking, personnel should take care to ensure that all butts and

ashes are properly extinguished. Seafarers should never smoke in bed.

(2) When personal electrical equipment is used, it should be checked by a competent

person.

(3) Multi-outlet plugs should not be used.

(4) Disposable fuses should never be rewired or replaced by others of a higher

rating.

(5) Portable lamps, radios and other electrical equipment should be switched off at

the main switch when not in use or when the user leaves the room. They should be

properly secured against movement.

(6) Faulty wiring should be immediately reported to a competent person.

23.1.5. Slip-resistant bath mats and proper handholds should be provided in

bathrooms and showers.

23.1.6. Seafarers should recognize that the safety of individuals and of the entire

ship and crew depends upon off-duty crew members being able to get adequate rest and

sleep. Noise and other behaviour which may disturb others should be kept to a

minimum.2

23.1.7. Before leaving a common space, seafarers should always check that

chairs and other loose objects are appropriately secured against movement.

1 See also the Accommodation of Crew Convention (Revised), 1949 (No. 92), the Accommodation

of Crews (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1970 (No. 133), the Crew Accommodation (Air

Conditioning) Recommendation, 1970 (No. 140), the Crew Accommodation (Noise Control)

Recommendation, 1970 (No. 141), and the IMO Code on Noise Levels on Board Ships (Resolution

No. A.468(XII)).

2 ILO Recommendation No. 141.