Container Questions

(Q) How can I find if I can lift a container safely?
(a) By looking in the "Cargo Securing Manual" and find out the "Maximum Allowable Lashing Limits" or by Using the "Rule of Thumb" for Containers

(a)

Find the total weight of the container (container plus contents)
Find the amount of eyebolts on top of the container
Then divide the total weight by the number of eyebolts
This will give you the S.W.L. for each wire strop (Lashings)

(Q) How do you work out the MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LASHING LIMIT
(a) You do the same as for the containers and use the "RULE OF THUMB"

(Q) What checks would you do on a container?
(a) That there is no damage to the eyebolts on top/bottom of the container That the doors closed correctly That it had a S.W.L. stamped on it There was no rust on the container especially on the strengthener and eyebolts It had a padlock

(Q) Would you take a container with some damage to it?
(a) Never be tempted to take a container with any damage

(Q) What precautions before taking a container onboard a vessel including a oil supply vessel?
(a)

(i) Preferable stow the container in the for and aft direction
(ii) Do not stow the containers so that they exceed over the ships side
(iii) Flat stow on deck
(iv) Safe access for personnel on deck
(v) Securing points at top and bottom of container (Eyebolts at bottom of container to prevent slipping and eyebolts at the top to prevent tipping)
(vi) Only stow containers one high
(vii) Do not impose excessive strain on the container (no extra strapping)
(viii) Deck or hatches not overstressed (Information from Cargo Securing Manual)
(ix) The lashings for containers should have some arrangement for tightening (Bottle screws)
(x) You must have protection for ventilation and breathing pipes on deck
(xi) Make sure the container has a valid container packaging certificate

(Q) Working with containers/pipes and while loading a ship, how can you make sure the shore party do not get hurt?
(a) By using a platform so they walk clear of the container/pipes before they are lifted as in the photo above

(Q) A container is a sealed unit, could a person get harmed going inside one?
(a) Yes if the container had been carrying some toxic chemicals they could easily be overcome with fumes

(Q) How do you prevent this?
(a) By making sure the container was well ventilated and well cleaned/washed

(Q) What safety features would you make personnel use while working on top of containers?
(a)

(i) Hard hat
(ii) Steel-toe cap boots
(iii) Safety harnesses
(iv) Protective clothing
(v) gloves
(vi) and if need be Safety glasses

(Q) Where will you get information about loading and securing goods inside a container?
(a) The IMO/ILO/UN/ECE Guidelines for packing of cargo transport units(CTU's)

(Q) How could you identify the symbols used for dangerous goods on a container?
(a) These are listed in the Dangerous Goods and tell you what the substance is

(Q) What information can you get from the shell of a container?
(a)
(i) The S.W.L. of it
(ii) The tare
(iii) Gross weight
(iv) If the container has dangerous goods inside it
(v) Safe approval plate

(Q) What is a "Safe approval plate" used for?
(a) To make sure you don't overload the container

(Q) What's the rule of thumb for the S.W.L. for the eyebolts on the deck of a ship?
(a) Depending on the amount of eyebolts you have for strapping a load down with you would take port side eyebolts and double the S.W.L. for it, it has to take the full load with the vessel sheers to and fro

i.e. containers total weight including contents is 10 tonnes, it has 2 eyebolts on the port side and 2 on the starboard side
10 tonnes divide by 2 equal 5 tonnes, therefore each wire sling/strop and each eyebolt must have a S.W.L. of 5 tonnes