Safety Requirements for

Working on Shipboard
Electrical Equipments:
Part 1
Lecturing 01 Review

 What is Maintenance Process?

 What is the difference between
Maintenance and Repairing?
 Mention at least 2 Problems/ error
condition usually happen without
maintenance!
 Describe the usual repairing/ maintenaince
condition in the ship, and why is need
 Pre Lecturing 02 Quiz
 Name safety hazard with can be
present when working on shipboard
electrical equipment!
 Name proper personal protective
equipment (PPE) to be used when
working on shipboard electrical
equipment!
 Describe overvoltage installation
categories (IEC 1010-1 Standard)!
Safety Hazard
 Electrical hazards are generally a result of
a short, fault, or the opening or closing of
an energized circuit.
 A "short" occurs when a low-resistance
path exists between a live wire and the
ground, or between wires at different
voltages. When the current is unintended,
a "fault" results. Damaged insulation could
cause a short, leading to arching or a fire.
can be created by:

Sources : https://www.osha.gov
 Electric Arc is the luminous electrical discharge that occurs when high voltages exist
across a gap between conductors and current travels through the air. This situation is
often caused by equipment failure as a result of poor maintenance or overuse.

 Arc Flash is the release of heat and bright intense light from an electric
arc. Temperatures have been recorded as high as 35,000°F. Exposure to these
extreme temperatures both burns the skin directly and causes ignition of clothing (see
National Fire Protection Association Standard, NFPA 70E, 2012). An arc flash can be
spontaneous or result from bridging the gap between electrical contacts with a
conductive object such as a tool or jewelry. Other causes may include dropped tools
on energized conductors which create sparks, breaks or gaps in insulation, as well as
the buildup of dust, corrosion, or other impurities on the surface of an insulator,
creating a fault path.

 Arc Blast is the explosive release of molten material from equipment caused by high
amperage arcs. The pressure waves produced by an arc blast are powerful enough
that workers can be knocked off, onto, or into objects. The high pressure can cause
injuries such as falls, exposure to being struck by molten metal and loose materials or
equipment, ruptured eardrums, and memory loss as a result of a concussion.
Electrical hazards that may
result in shocks, burns, and
electrocution
Minimize the Risk of an
Electrical Shock On board (1)
 Start with the first round of the day; check all electrical motors,
wiring, and switches, for abnormal sounds, variation in
temperatures, and loose connections.
 Ensure that all electrical connections are inside the panel box so
that no one can touch them accidentally.
 In accommodation area multiple socket plugs shouldn’t be used.
 Turn off the breaker before starting any work on an electrical
system.
 Use ply card and notice board as much as possible to inform
others about the ongoing work to avoid accidental starts.
 Double check the electrical tools like portable drills for any loose
wires before attempting any job.
 Always wear protective clothing, rubber gloves, rubber knee
pads and safety shoes to avoid risk of shock.
Minimize the Risk of an
Electrical Shock On board (2)
 Use electrically insulated handle tools for working or checking
electrical system.
 Before working, remove jewellery wrist band and other
conductive items.
 When working or removing multiple wires, tape off all but the
one wire you are working on.
 Try as much as possible not to work on live system and even if
you do so be a professional and work carefully with full
concentration.
 During working in group or pair, organise a tool box meeting and
discuss the procedure, risk and hazards of the job in hand.
 If you don’t know about the system, ask for assistance. Don’t
work without knowing it.
 Always think about your own safety and safety of fellow persons
while carrying out any electrical work.
Sources: https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-safety/how-to-minimize-the-risks-of-an-electrical-shock-on-a-ship/
Personal Protective
Equipment (PPE)
 Safety of self and co-workers is the prime priority kept in
mind by a professional seafarer while working onboard
ship. All shipping companies ensure that their crew follow
personal safety procedures and rules for all the operation
carried onboard ships.
 To achieve utmost safety on board ship, the basic step is
to make sure that everybody wears their personal
protective equipments made for different types of jobs
carried out on ship.
 Following are the basic personal protective equipments
(PPE) that are always present onboard a ship to ensure
safety of the working crew:
Basic PPE (1)
 Protective Clothing: Protective clothing is a coverall which protects the body of the
crew member from hazardous substance like hot oil, water, welding spark etc. It is
popularly known as “dangri “or “boiler suit”.
 Helmet: The most important part of the human body is the head. It needs utmost
protection which is provided by a hard plastic helmet on the ship. A chin strap is also
provided with the helmet which keeps the helmet on place when there is a trip or fall.
 Safety Shoes: Maximum of the internal space of the ship is utilized by cargo and
machinery, which is made of hard metal and which make it clumsy for crew to walk
around. Safety shoes ensure that nothing happens to the crew member’s feet while
working or walking onboard.
 Safety Hand gloves: Different types of hand gloves are provided onboard ship. All
these are used in operations wherein it becomes imperative to protect ones
hands. Some of the gloves provided are heat resistant gloves to work on hot surface,
cotton gloves for normal operation, welding gloves, chemical gloves etc.
 Goggles: Eyes are the most sensitive part of the human body and in daily operations
on ship chances are very high for having an eye injury. Protective glass or goggles
are used for eye protection, whereas welding goggles are used for welding operation
which protects the eyes from high intensity spark.
Basic PPE (2)
 Ear Muff/plug: Engine room of the ship produces 110-120 db of sound which is very
high for human ears. Even few minutes of exposure can lead to head ache, irritation
and sometimes partial or full hearing loss. An ear muff or ear plug is used on board
ship which dampens the noise to a bearable decibel value.
 Safety harness: Routine ship operation includes maintenance and painting of high
and elevated surfaces which require crew members to reach areas that are not easily
accessible. To avoid a fall from such heightened area, safety harness is used. Safety
harness is donned by the operator at one end and tied at a strong point on the other
end.
 Face mask: Working on insulation surface, painting or carbon cleaning involves
minor hazardous particles which are harmful for human body if inhaled directly. To
avoid this, face mask are provided which acts as shield from hazardous particle.
 Chemical suit: Use of chemicals onboard ship is very frequent and some chemicals
are very dangerous when they come in direct contact with human skin. A chemical
suit is worn to avoid such situations.
 Welding shield: Welding is a very common operation onboard ship for structural
repairs. A welder is provided with welding shield or mask which protects the eyes from
coming in direct contact with ultraviolet rays of the spark of the weld.
General Tips for Working Near
or With Electricity (1)
 Inspect portable cord-and-plug
connected equipment, extension cords,
power bars, and electrical fittings for
damage or wear
 before each use. Repair or replace
damaged equipment immediately.
 Always tape extension cords to walls or 
floors when necessary. Nails and staples
can damage extension cords causing
fire and
 shock hazards.
 Use extension cords or equipment that
is rated for the level of amperage or
wattage that you are using.
 Always use the correct size fuse.
Replacing a fuse with one of a larger
size can cause excessive currents in the
wiring and
 possibly start a fire.
 Be aware that unusually warm or hot
outlets may be a sign that unsafe wiring
conditions exists. Unplug any cords or
extension
 cords to these outlets and do not use
until a qualified electrician has checked
the wiring.
Always use ladders made with non-
conductive side rails (e.g., fibreglass)
when working with or near electricity or
power lines.
 Place halogen lights away from
combustible materials such as cloths or
curtains. Halogen lamps can become
very hot and may
 be a fire hazard.
General Tips for Working Near
or With Electricity (2)
 Risk of electric shock is greater in areas
that are wet or damp. Install Ground
Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) as they 
will
 interrupt the electrical circuit before a
current sufficient to cause death or
serious injury occurs.
 Use a portable in-line Ground Fault
Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) if you are not 
certain that the receptacle you are
plugging your
 extension cord into is GFCI protected. 
 Make sure that exposed receptacle
boxes are made of non-conductive
materials.
 Know where the panel and circuit
breakers are located in case of an
emergency.
 Label all circuit breakers and fuse boxes
clearly. Each switch should be positively
identified as to which outlet or appliance
it is
for.
 Do not use outlets or cords that have
exposed wiring.
 Do not use portable cord-and-plug
connected power tools with the guards
removed.
Do not block access to panels and
circuit breakers or fuse boxes.
Do not touch a person or electrical
apparatus in the event of an electrical
accident. Always disconnect the power
source first.
Overvoltage Installation
Categories
 Focused on:
– (IEC 1010-1 Standard)
– How to choose safe electric meter for
different overvoltage categories
Definition
 The IEC defined the term Installation
Category (sometimes referred to
as Overvoltage Category) to address
transient voltages. Category IV devices
can handle the largest transients relative
to the normal working voltage. Category I
devices can handle only small transients.
For example, a 50 V Category IV device
can handle transients of up to 1500 V,
whereas a 50 V Category I device can
withstand only 330 V.
Sources: http://www.ni.com/product-documentation/2827/en/
 Category I -- For connection to circuits in which measures are taken to limit transient
over-voltages to an appropriately low level.
Examples: Protected electronic circuits.

 Category II -- Energy-consuming equipment to be supplied from the fixed installation.

Examples: Appliances, portable tools, and other household and similar loads.
Measurement equipment intended to measure the voltage levels of these loads must
be rated at this overvoltage category.

 Category III -- In fixed installations and for cases where the reliability and the
availability of the equipment is subject to special requirements.
Examples: Switches in fixed installation and equipment for industrial use with
permanent connection to the fixed installation; measurement equipment intended to
measure the voltage levels of these fixed installations must be rated at this
overvoltage category.

 Category IV -- Used at the origin of the installation.

Degrees of Pollution
IEC 1010 specifies different types of pollution environments. Harsher environments require more
insulation. As an alternative to increased insulation, the designer can create a cleaner
microenvironment for the circuit. This microenvironment can be created by using enclosures,
encapsulation, or hermetic sealing.
 Pollution Degree 1 -- No pollution or only dry, nonconductive pollution occurs. The pollution has no
influence.
Example: A circuit in a hermetically sealed box (such as an IC chip). No air can come into the box to bring
condensation or conductive particles.
 Pollution Degree 2 -- Only nonconductive pollution occurs. Occasionally, temporary conductivity caused by
condensation is to be expected.
Example: A circuit used in an office environment. The circuitry inside a computer would fall in this category.
 Pollution Degree 3-- Conductive pollution occurs, or dry nonconductive pollution occurs that becomes
conductive due to condensation that is to be expected.
Example: Circuitry that is exposed to outside air, but will not be in contact with precipitation. A garage door
opener would fall under this category.
Note: Although the IEC has defined this pollution degree in other documents, IEC 1010 does not cover
Pollution Degree 3.
 Pollution Degree 4 -- The pollution generates persistent conductivity caused by conductive dust or by rain
or snow.
Example: An exposed outdoor control box for a water pump.
Note: Although the IEC has defined this pollution degree in other documents, IEC 1010 does not cover
Pollution Degree 4.
Insulation Types
 In any isolation scheme, there is a certain amount of insulation
required to create the isolation barrier. IEC 1010 calls this basic
insulation.
 If a breakdown in the insulation could cause dangerous current to
flow through a human body, basic insulation is not enough safety
protection.
 IEC 1010 gives the designer several insulation improvement
options. Two of the options are double insulation and reinforced
insulation. Double insulation is basic insulation plus some
supplementary insulation (for example, another basic layer).
 If the basic insulation breaks down (single fault), the supplementary
insulation keeps the user safe. Reinforced insulation serves the
same purpose as double insulation except that the basic and the
extra insulation cannot be tested separately.