Hong Kong Regulations

DANGEROUS GOODS (SHIPPING) REGULATIONS - REGULATION 7

Precautions to be taken in the loading or discharge of dangerous goods

(1) When in any type I vessel any dangerous goods are being loaded or
discharged or when any other goods are being loaded into or discharged from
any hold or compartment of any such vessel in which any dangerous  goods are
stowed, the master of the vessel shall-

   (a)  satisfy himself that any gear required to be used in any operation
        involved in the loading or discharge of such goods is in good order
        and condition, of sufficient strength and suitable in all other
        respects for the purpose;

   (b)  cause adequate fire fighting equipment to be available in good order
        and condition and in all respects ready for immediate use;

   (c)  prohibit smoking or the use of naked lights in any hold or compartment
        containing any dangerous goods or so near to any such goods in the
        process of being loaded or discharged as to cause risk of fire
        thereto;

   (d)  cause all reasonable precautions to be taken to prevent damage
        occurring to any container or freight container containing dangerous 
        goods; and (L.N. 96 of 1974)

   (e)  cause such loading or discharge to be at all times carried out under
        the personal supervision of a person having reasonable experience in
        the handling of dangerous goods.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph (l), when in any
type I vessel any dangerous goods in any of the categories mentioned in this
paragraph are being loaded or discharged or when any other goods are being
loaded into or discharged from any hold or compartment of any vessel in which
any such dangerous goods are stowed, the master of the vessel shall cause the
following additional precautions to be taken-

   (a)  in the case of dangerous goods in category 1, a continuous watch shall
        be maintained over any hold or compartment containing such goods,
        whether or not such hold or compartment is for the time being open or
        closed and whether or not any work is being carried on therein;

   (b)  in the case of dangerous goods in category 2, 4 or 5, no hold or
        compartment containing such goods shall be worked until adequate
        ventilation has been provided therein;

   (c)  in the case of dangerous goods in category 6 or 9, all reasonable
        steps shall be taken to prevent water coming into contact therewith;
        and, in addition, in the case of raw cotton, cotton waste and kapok,
        all reasonable steps shall be taken to prevent oil or oily substances
        coming in contact therewith.