Working with electricity and electrical equipment

• Pages: 61-67

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16. Working with electricity and electrical equipment

16.1. General provisions

16.1.1. All relevant national and international regulations governing the design

and construction of electrical installations should be observed, with account being taken

of unusual conditions which may be encountered in service.1

16.1.2. Seafarers should receive adequate training before being permitted to work

on electrical installations.2

16.1.3. The installation should be maintained and protected to minimize the

possibility of fire, external explosion, electrical shocks and danger to seafarers.

16.1.4. All live parts should be effectively insulated and enclosed in conduits or

otherwise protected and should be maintained in that condition.

16.1.5. All electrical equipment should be regularly inspected to ensure that it is

suitable for its intended use. Any electrical faults or other defects should be

immediately reported to the appropriate person and repaired by a competent person.

16.1.6. Attention should be paid to the maintenance of the emergency source of

electrical power.

16.1.7. All electrical appliances should be clearly marked to indicate their safe

operating voltage.

16.1.8. Flickering lights should be investigated and repaired by a competent

person.

16.1.9. Circuits and appliances carrying different voltages in the same installation

should be clearly distinguishable by notices, markings on distribution boxes and other

conspicuous means.

16.1.10. Seafarers should not interfere with a design and installation intended to

prevent circuits and apparatus from being subjected to voltages which exceed those for

which they were designed.

16.1.11. Repairs to electrical installations should be carried out only by a

competent person or when a "permit-to-work" has been issued (see Chapter 4).

1 Examples of such conditions are exposure to:

(a) moisture, steam and oil vapour, salt-laden atmosphere, sea spray, high winds and ice formation;

(b) abnormal vibrations, deformation and mechanical shock;

(c) unusually high or lo w temperatures; and

(d) explosive mixtures when used in certain areas.

2 Section 24 of the IMO/ILO Document for guidance: An international maritime training

guide (1985 or later edition) provides information on training requirements.