Documentation

• Is the Certificate of Fitness available?
• Is the latest edition of IBC Code available? 
• Is the Procedures & Arrangements Manual approved by the Administration?
• Are the results of the stripping efficiency test being recorded in P&A Manual? 
• Do all officers hold certificate for advanced training in chemical cargo operations?
• Is the MSDS for cargoes being carried available?
• Is the SSSCL including the part for Bulk Liquid Chemicals Pre-Transfer checks completed?
  
• Is the Cargo Record Book for Annex II cargoes recorded properly?
• Is Heating Log being maintained during the carriage of cargo?
• Is a cargo compatibility chart posted in CCR? 
• If tank cleaning chemicals are to be used, are their MSDS available?

Training / Familiarization

• Are the officers familiar with substances of category X,Y or Z?
• Are the officers familiar with chemical spill response procedures?
• Has a drill in dealing with chemical spills been conducted?
• If tank cleaning chemicals are to be used, is the crew aware of TLV of the product?
• Are the officers aware of cargo tank coating restrictions?
• Are the officers familiar with cargo tank coating restrictions?
• Are the officers familiar with pre-wash requirements?
• Are the officers aware of the dangers associated with tank cleaning and ventilation

Safety Equipment

• Is the safety equipment being provided in accordance with IBC Code requirements?
• If the ship carries toxic cargoes for which 15.12, 15.12.1 or 15.12.3 is listed in column "o" in the table of ch.17, has at least three set of safety equipment as follows::

1. One SCBA with one set of fully charged spare air bottles;

2. Protective clothing, boots, gloves and tight-fitting goggles;

3. Fireproof line with belt resistant to the cargoes carried;

4. Explosion-proof lamp

• Is the SCBA being inspected at monthly intervals and relevant entry be made in ship' log book?
• Is the SCBA annual service certificate available?
• Is it evidence of SCBA air bottles 5-yearly hydrostatic test?
• Are the gas-tight suits in good order and is it evidence of pressure test?
• Are the decontamination showers and eye-wash in good working and maintenance condition?
• If the cargo is non-inert, are the over-pressure of secondary venting means being set at 10% greater than the normal actuation setting of the pressure valves and the vacuum between 110 - 125% of the vacuum valve release pressure?

Common Poor Practices

The following observations have been observed on oil product / chemical tankers but they mainly carry oil products.

• The SSSCL part for Bulk Liquid Chemicals Pre-Transfer checks was not completed.
• The secondary venting meanswere not set at the required percentages for non-inerted cargoes.
• The chemical suits were not gas-tight.
• It was no evidence of chemical suits pressure test.
  
• Decontamination shower found out of order.
• Senior Officer was not provided with Advanced Chemical Tanker Training.

References

IMO, IBC Code

IMO, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)

OCIMF, SIRE 2.0