Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)RegulationsMaritime Occupational Safety Regulations, 1994Chapter II : Safety provisions for staff on board ship, appliances and equipment27. Enclosed or confined spaces |
| (1) | Every employer shall ensure that all entrances to unattended, enclosed or confined spaces on a vessel are kept either closed or otherwise secured against entry, except when work is to be done therein. |
| (2) | Every employer shall ensure that the provisions of the Code pertaining to the hazards for safe entry to and work in an enclosed or confined space on board a vessel are complied with. |
| (3) | Every employer of crew on board— |
| (a) | any tanker or gas carrier of 500 gross registered tons or more; and |
| (b) | any other vessel of 1 000 gross registered tons or more, |
shall ensure that drills simulating the rescue of a crew member from an enclosed or confined space are held at intervals not exceeding two months, and that such drills are recorded in the official log book.
(4)
| (a) | Where entry into an enclosed or confined space may be necessary, every employer shall ensure that an oxygen meter and such other testing device as is appropriate to the hazard likely to be encountered in any such space is carried on board the vessel. |
| (b) | Every employer shall ensure that such meter any such other testing device is maintained in good working order and, where applicable, is regularly serviced and calibrated according to the manufacturers' requirements. |