NZ: Get on board with the safe handling of chemicals

Maritime NZ is reminding operators of their HSWA duties to identify “reasonably foreseeable risks”, such as chemicals used on board, and to control these risks “as far as practicable”, including being ready for emergencies.

This reminder follows recent chemical-related inspection findings as well as an accident in which a man suffered a chemical burn to his eye while cleaning a meal press on a deep sea factory trawler. The man wasn’t following established procedures or wearing the proper personal protective equipment when a caustic cleaning chemical seeped through the goggle seal and into his eye. This resulted in temporary loss of vision and required treatment ashore.

Some operators have recently provided their ships with a neutralising agent (diphoterine) for first-aid of chemical injuries. This product neutralises many harmful chemicals even inside the body’s affected cells, quickly alleviating pain and preventing further harm.


Ausmarine

Published since 1978, Ausmarine is the foremost magazine servicing the Australian and New Zealand commercial, military and government marine sectors.