INTERNATIONALMARITIMEORGANIZATION
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IMO
Ref. T5/1.01 MEPC/Circ.466
25 July 2005
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IMO GUIDELINES ON SHIP RECYCLING
(Assembly resolution A.962(23))
“Gas-free-for-hot-work” certification
1 TheAssemblyoftheInternationalMaritimeOrganizationadoptedon5December2003,by resolutionA.962(23),theIMOGuidelinesonShipRecyclingwiththeaimofprovidingguidanceto shipowners,shiprecyclingfacilities,flagandrecyclingStatesandotherinvolvedstakeholdersasto “bestpractice”,whichtakesintoaccounttheshiprecyclingprocessthroughoutthelifecycleofthe ship. ThisresolutioninvitedGovernmentstotakeurgentactiontoapplytheGuidelines,including
the dissemination thereof to the shipping and ship recycling industries.
2 Inconsideringthedevelopmentofanewlegallybindinginstrumentonshiprecycling,the MarineEnvironmentProtectionCommittee,atitsfifty-thirdsession(18to22July2005),recognized thattheprogresstowardsthedevelopmentofmandatoryrequirementsshouldnotshifttheattention
oftheinvolvedstakeholdersawayfromtheimportantworkthatisneededfortheimplementationof the IMO Guidelines on Ship Recycling.
3 MEPC 53, in noting that:
.1 reports of explosions at recycling facilities during cutting operations are all too frequent with life threatening consequences;
.2 therequirementfora “gas-free-for-hot-work”certificationisthesinglemeasurewith thegreatestimpactonsafetyinrecyclingfacilitiesandthatitsimplementationwould greatly contribute to reducing the safety risks involved in recycling operations;
.3 the implementation of the amendments to MARPOL Annex I, adopted by resolution MEPC.111(50) (amendments to regulation 13G and a new regulation 13H),isexpectedtoincreasethenumberofvesselstoberecycledinthe near future;
.4 the estimated increase in the recycling of single hull oil tankers should not necessarily increase the environmental and safety risks involved;
agreedtourgealltheinvolvedpartiestotakeappropriateactiontoimplementtheIMOGuidelines
onShipRecyclinggivingparticularemphasistothe “gas-free-for-hot-work”certification. Inthis respect, MEPC 53 agreed to the following recommendations and guidance.
4 Recycling States are urged to introduce mandatory requirements on procedures to be
followedregarding“gas-free-for-hot-work”certificationinshiprecyclingoperationsandensurethat appropriate arrangements are in place to monitor and enforce these requirements.
5 Administrationsareurgedtoprovideappropriate guidance to ships flying their flag on the issue of “gas-free-for-hot-work” certification in connection with ship recycling.
6 Shipownersandrecyclingfacilitiesareurgedtoarrange,inconnectionwiththedeliveryofa shipatarecyclingfacility,fora “gas-free-for-hot-work”certification,tobecarriedoutbyarelevant and appropriate body, covering enclosed spaces, as defined in paragraph 2.1 of the Annex to Assemblyresolution A.864(20),and,inparticular,cargospacesonboardoiltankers. Ageneral arrangementplanshowingthoseenclosedspacesthatarenotcertifiedas “gas-free-for-hot-work” should be provided.
7 Itisrecognizedthatanysuchcertificationhastimelimitationsand,therefore,itisessential thatrecyclingfacilitiesensurethecontinuedmonitoringofenclosedspacesduringtherecycling process,inaccordancewithproperprocedures,tomaintainsafeworkingconditions.Shipownersare urgedtoenterintocontractswithrecyclingfacilitieswiththeabilitytomaintainandmonitorshipsin “gas-free-for-hot-work” condition during the whole process of ship recycling.
8 Thedetailedarrangementsforensuringcontinuity of “gas-free-for-hot-work” certification shouldbeincludedintheshiprecyclingplantobedevelopedbytherecyclingfacilityinconsultation withtheshipowner,inaccordancewiththeGuidelinesforthedevelopmentoftheshiprecycling plan, which have been circulated by means of MEPC/Circ.419.
9 Recyclingfacilitiesareurgedtokeeptheirworkersinformed,duringtherecyclingprocess,of
the “gas-free-for-hot-work”statusoftheenclosedspaces. Thisinformationshouldbeprovidedby suitable means in the working language of the workers.
10 Guidancewithregardtosafeworkingpracticesandproceduresforhotworkonboardshipsis providedincircularMSC/Circ.1084 “Principlesforhotworkonboardalltypesofships”. Further guidanceonthesafetymeasuresrelatedtothisprocedureissetoutinthecurrenteditionofthe “International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals (ISGOTT)” (ICS, OCIMF and IAPH).
11 Member Governments are invited to bring this circular to the attention of all parties concerned.