Hatch Cover and Access Lids

HATCH COVER AND ACCESS LIDS

General Requirements
1. Based on the findings of the risk assessment, appropriate control measures
should be put into place to protect those workers whose health and safety may be
put at risk by the operation of hatch covers and access lids.

2. Any hatch covering used on a ship is to be of sound construction and material, of

adequate strength for the purpose for which it is used, free from patent defect and
properly maintained.
3. A hatch covering is not to be used unless it can be removed and replaced,
whether manually or with mechanical power, without endangering any person.
Information showing the correct replacement position is to be clearly marked,
except where hatch coverings are interchangeable or incapable of being
incorrectly replaced.
4. A hatch is not to be used unless the hatch covering has been completely
removed, or if not completely removed, is properly secure.
 5. Before vessel departure, weather deck hatch covers should be secured in the
correct closed position. Whilst the vessel is at sea they should be regularly
inspected to ensure that integrity is being maintained.
6. All hatch covers should be properly maintained. Defective or damaged covers
should be replaced/repaired as soon as possible. All covers and beams should
only be used if they are a good fit and overlap their end supports to an extent
which is adequate but not excessive.
7. All personnel involved with the handling and/or operation of hatch covers must be
properly instructed in their handling and operation. All stages of opening or closing
hatches should be supervised by a responsible person. When hatches are open,
the area around the opening and in the hatchways should be appropriately
illuminated and guard-rails erected. Guardrails should be tight with stanchions
secured in position and properly maintained. No hatch cover should be replaced
contrary to information showing the correct replacement position.
8. Where lifting appliances are used, they should be attached to hatch covers from
a safe position and without personnel being exposed to the danger of falling or
being trapped.
9. No loads should be placed over, nor work takes place on, any section of hatch
cover unless it is known that the cover is properly secured and can safely support
the load.
10. Partly opened unguarded hatches should never be covered with tarpaulins; this
would present a serious hazard for any person walking across the hatch.
11. Hatch covers should not be used for any other purpose.

Mechanical hatch covers

1. The manufacturer’s instructions for the safe operation, inspection, maintenance
and repair of the type of mechanical hatch cover fitted should always be followed.
2. During operations, personnel should keep clear of the hatches and the cover
stowage positions. The area should be kept clear of all items which might foul the
covers or the handling equipment.
3. Special attention should be paid to the trim of the vessel when handling
mechanical covers. The hatch locking pins or preventers of rolling hatch covers
should not be removed until a check wire is fast to prevent premature rolling when
the tracking is not horizontal.
4. Hatch wheels should be kept greased and free from dirt and the coaming
runways and the drainage channels kept clean. The rubber sealing joints should
be properly secured and be in good condition so as to provide a proper
weathertight seal.
5. All locking and tightening devices should be secured in place on a closed hatch
at all times when at sea. Securing cleats should be kept greased. Cleats, top
wedges and other tightening devices should be checked regularly whilst at sea.
6. Hatch covers should be properly secured immediately after closing or opening.
They should be secured in the open position with chain preventers or by other
suitable means. No one should climb on to any hatch cover unless it is properly
secured.
7. Except in the event of an emergency endangering health or safety, no person
should operate a hatch covering which is power-operated or a ship’s ramp or a
retractable car-deck unless authorised to do so by a responsible ship’s officer.
Non-mechanical hatch covers and beams
1. Each non-mechanical hatchway should be provided with an appropriate number
of properly fitting beams and hatch covers, pontoons or slab hatches adequately
marked to show the correct replacement position, and with an adequate number of
properly fitting tarpaulins, batten bars, side wedges and locking bars so that the
hatch will remain secure and weathertight for all weather conditions.
2. Unless hatches are fitted with coamings to a height of at least 760 mm (30
inches) they should be securely covered or fenced to a height of 1 metre (39
inches) when not in use for the passage of cargo.
3. Manually handled hatch covers should be capable of being easily lifted by two
people. Such hatch covers should be of adequate thickness and strength and
provided with hand grips. Wooden hatch boards should be strengthened by steel
bands at each end. One person should not attempt to handle hatch covers
unaided unless the covers are designed for single-handed operation.
4. Hatch boards, hatch beams, pontoon hatches, hatch slabs and tarpaulins should
be handled with care and properly stowed, stacked and secured so as not to
endanger or impede the normal running of the vessel. Hatch boards should be
removed working from the centre towards the sides, and replaced from the sides
towards the centre. Personnel hauling tarpaulins should walk forwards and NOT
backwards so they can see where they are walking.
5. A derrick or crane should be used to handle beams. Pontoons or slab hatches
should be positioned directly over them to lessen the risk of violent swinging once
the weight has been taken.
6. Appropriate gear of adequate strength should be specially provided for the lifting
of the beams, pontoons and slab hatches. Slings should be of adequate length,
secured against accidental dislodgement while in use and fitted with control
lanyards. The angle between arms of slings at the lifting point should not exceed
120°, in order to avoid undue stress. The winch or crane should be operated by a
competent person under the direction of a ship’s officer or other experienced
people.
7. Beams and hatch covers remaining in position in a partly opened hatchway
should be securely pinned, lashed, bolted or otherwise properly secured against
accidental dislodgement.
8. Hatch covers and beams should not be removed or replaced until a check has
been made that all persons are out of the hold or clear of the hatchway.
Immediately before beams are to be removed, a check should be made that pins
or other locking devices have been freed.
9. No one should walk out on a beam for any purpose.
10. Hatch covers should not be used in the construction of deck or cargo stages or
have loads placed on them liable to damage them. Loads should not be placed on
hatch coverings without the authority of a ship’s officer.

Steel-hinged inspection/access lids

1. Inspection/access hatch lids should be constructed of steel or similar material,
and hinged so they can be easily and safely opened or closed. Those on weather
decks should be seated on watertight rubber gaskets and secured weathertight by
adequate dogs, side cleats or equivalent tightening devices.
 2. When not secured, inspection/access hatch lids should be capable of being
easily and safely opened from above and, if practicable, from below.
3. Adequate hand grips should be provided in accessible positions to lift
inspection/access hatches by hand without straining or endangering personnel.
4. Heavy or inaccessible hatch lids should be fitted with counterweights so that they
can easily be opened by one or two persons. Where a counter-weight cannot be
fitted due to inaccessibility, the hatch lids should be supplied with a purchase or
pulley with eye-plates or ring bolts fitted in appropriate positions so that the hatch
can be opened and closed without straining or endangering personnel.
5. The hatch lids, when open, should be easily and safely secured against
movement or accidental closing. Adequate steel hooks or other means should be
provided.

Access to Holds/Cargo spaces

1. Entry to holds/cargo spaces should only be undertaken on the authority of a
responsible ships officer, who should ensure prior to granting authority that space
has been adequately ventilated and, where appropriate, tested for noxious
gases/oxygen content.
2. The entry should be made where at all possible through the permanent means of
access. Where this is not possible, portable ladders may be used. When
necessary, lifelines and safety harness should be available and used.