Form: RWPRR401-B

CCS

China Classification Society (2013) Circ. 121 /Total No.407 06/08/2013 (total pages:1+ 10 )

Circular

To relevant departments of CCS Headquarters, CCS surveyors, shipping companies, shipyards and design institutes

Notice on Release of Implementation Principles of Partial Articles in Regulation 3.1 of Maritime Labour Convention, 2006
Based on the consolidation and revision for the existing sixty-eight Conventions and recommendations related to crew members, the International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted the new consolidated convention Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 in 2006 (hereinafter called the Convention) to establish a uniform international Maritime Labour Standard to promote that every seafarer has a right to decent working and living conditions on board ships. The requirements of accommodation and recreational facilities in Regulation 3.1 of the Convention is formed on the basis of Accommodation of Crews Convention (Revised), 1949 (No.92) and Accommodation of Crews (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1970 (No. 133) issued by ILO. These requirements include the size of rooms and other accommodation spaces; heating and ventilation; noise and vibration and other ambient factors; sanitary facilities; lighting; hospital accommodation, etc. The provisions of hardware for accommodations and recreational facilities will apply to ships constructed on or after the effective date of the Convention to the flag State. The Convention will be effective on 20th August 2013. In order to cooperate with the parties concerned to understand and implement the requirements of Regulation 3.1 in the Convention, the annexed interpretations to the common issues are given in a form of implementation principles for reference. Annex: Implementation Principles of Partial Articles in Regulation 3.1 of Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

(Rev.6.2 20100101-1/1)

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Annex Implementation Principles of Partial Articles in Regulation 3.1 of Maritime Labour Convention, 2006

1Purposes and application 1.1 This principles provides the CCS implementation guidance for particle articles of seafarer accommodations in Regulation 3.1 (including Standard A3.1 and Guideline B3.1) of ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (hereinafter called the Convention) for the purposes of uniform understanding and implementation. 1.2 It is to be implemented when the flag State Administration authorizing CCS to carry out the maritime labor inspection has made definite provisions and interpretations to the related articles of the Convention. 1.3 The same requirements in ILO Conventions No.92 and No.133 may be implemented referring to this Principles. 1.4 The words in italics in paragraph 3 of this Principles are the reference from articles of the Convention, while those in Times New Roman typeface are the implementation principles.

2. Implementation of the Convention 2.1 Regulation 3.1 of the Convention and the requirements of hardwares related to seafarer accommodation construction and equipment are only applicable to the ships built on or after the effective date of the Convention to the flag State. Ships are to be constructed in compliance with the requirements of the Conventions, laws and regulations of the flag State which are in accordance with the Conventions, maritime notices of the flag State Administration, etc. For the ships built before the effective date of the Convention to the flag State, the provisions of the flag State Administration, including the applicable requirements of ILO Conventions No.92 and No.133, laws and regulations of the flag State, as well as the relevant provisions of Administration, etc., are to be complied with.

3.

Implementation Principles of Particle Articles in Regulation 3.1 of the Convention

3.1 Substantial alteration of accommodation Standard A3.1.3 in the Convention (b) the seafarer accommodation on a ship has been substantially altered. Implementation principles: (1) Accommodation means the living and recreational spaces provide for seafarers onboard the ship, including the sleeping room, mess room, washroom, hospital accommodation, recreational room, etc., it also includes the offices onboard the ship. The substantial alteration of accommodation is to include, but not limited to the followings: Alteration of structural partition of accommodation; Alteration of use of accommodation;
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 Alteration of non-accommodation to accommodation. (2) When a substantial alteration of accommodation is made by the shipowner, the conversion is to meet the latest requirements of the flag State Administration. The accommodation conversion is to be subject to plan approval and on-site survey by CCS.

3.2 Adequate insulation of accommodation Standard A3.1.6 in the Convention

(b) the accommodation shall be adequately insulated;

Guideline B3.1.1 in the Convention 1. External bulkheads of sleeping rooms and mess rooms should be adequately insulated. All machinery casings and all boundary bulkheads of galleys and other spaces in which heat is produced should be adequately insulated where there is a possibility of resulting heat effects in adjoining accommodation or passageways. Measures should also be taken to provide protection from heat effects of steam or hot-water service pipes or both. 2. Sleeping rooms, mess rooms, recreation rooms and alleyways in the accommodation space should be adequately insulated to prevent condensation or overheating. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A.3.1.6(b) and Guideline B3.1.1.1~3.1.1.2 in the Convention, as well as the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2) The accommodation division is to meet the applicable requirements of fire division of the ship. (3)The external bulkhead of accommodation and the bulkhead adjacent to the heat sources are to be laid with thermal insulation material with fire resistance.

3.3 The sleeping room is to be made of approved materials Standard A3.1.6 in the Convention (e) There shall be no direct openings into sleeping rooms from cargo and machinery spaces or from galleys, storerooms, drying rooms or communal sanitary areas; that part of a bulkhead separating such places from sleeping rooms and external bulkheads shall be efficiently constructed of steel or other approved substance and be watertight and gas-tight; Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.6(e) in the Convention and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2) The bulkhead materials used for the accommodation onboard the ship, including the steel material and other materials constituting of fire bulkheads are to be subject to inspection and approval. (3) The external bulkheads of sleeping room and the openings in the bulkheads are to meet the relevant requirements of superstructures and deckhouses in Chapter 2, Annex I of IMO Load Line Convention.
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(4) The bulkheads between sleeping rooms and other holds, such as the bulkheads separating cargo & machinery spaces, galleys, storerooms, drying rooms & communal sanitary areas from seafarer sleeping rooms are to be made of steel material or other approved materials, no openings are to be allowed in the bulkheads. Continuous welds are to be made in way of the boundary of bulkheads. (5) Watertight and gas-tight means the water and smell is incapable of penetrating to the sleeping rooms from the outside and other spaces through bulkheads or bulkhead gaps.

3.4 Sufficient drainage Standard A3.1.6 in the Convention (g)sufficient drainage shall be provided; Implementation Principles: (1)It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.6(g) in the Convention and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2) The drainage of spaces such as washrooms, toilets, laundry rooms is to be smoothly, without any water accumulation. The diameter of drainage pipe of public washrooms and laundry rooms are generally not to be less than 50mm.

3.5 Noise, vibration and other ambient factors of accommodations and recreational facilities Standard A3.1.6 in the Convention (h) accommodation and recreational and catering facilities shall meet the requirements in Regulation 4.3, and the relevant provisions in the Code, on health and safety protection and accident prevention, with respect to preventing the risk of exposure to hazardous levels of noise and vibration and other ambient factors and chemicals on board ships, and to provide an acceptable occupational and onboard living environment for seafarers. Guideline B3.1.12 in the Convention
1. Accommodation and recreational and catering facilities should be located as far as practicable from the engines, steering gear rooms, deck winches, ventilation, heating and air-conditioning equipment and other noisy machinery and apparatus. 2. Acoustic insulation or other appropriate sound-absorbing materials should be used in the construction and finishing of bulkheads, deckheads and decks within the sound-producing spaces as well as self-closing noise-isolating doors for machinery spaces. 3. Engine rooms and other machinery spaces should be provided, wherever practicable, with soundproof centralized control rooms for engine-room personnel. Working spaces, such as the machine shop, should be insulated, as far as practicable, from the general engine-room noise and measures should be taken to reduce noise in the operation of machinery. 4. The limits for noise levels for working and living spaces should be in conformity with the ILO international guidelines on exposure levels, including those in the ILO code of practice entitled Ambient factors in the workplace, 2001, and, where applicable, the specific protection recommended by the International Maritime Organization, and with any subsequent amending and supplementary
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instruments for acceptable noise levels on board ships. A copy of the applicable instruments in English or the working language of the ship should be carried on board and should be accessible to seafarers. 5. No accommodation or recreational or catering facilities should be exposed to excessive vibration.

Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.6(h) and Guideline B3.1.12 in the Convention, relevant provisions of noise and vibration reduction, and other ambient factors, chemicals carrying onboard ships of the flag States. (2) Mandatorily implemented standards (noise) IMO Code of Noise Levels on Board Ships will be effective on 1st July 2014. The Code includes the measurement of noise levels and noise exposure flux; the maximum acceptable noise level limit normally attended spaces; confirmation of acoustic insulation of accommodation spaces; specific provisions of noise reduction, personnel protection equipment, etc. (3) Standards provided for shipowers to select (noise and vibration) The Comfort on Board in Chapter 16, PART EIGHT in CCS Rules for Classification of Sea-going Steel Ships specifies the comfort criteria for the assessment of noise and vibration onboard ships and the procedural requirements for measurements. The noise level is defined as the A-weighted equivalent continuous sound pressure level measured in accordance with ISO 2923(1996); the vibration level is defined as the overall frequency weighted r.m.s. value of vibration over the frequency range 1 to 80 Hz in accordance with ISO 6954(2000). For new-built or converted ships, the shipowners may apply for ships comfort class notations voluntarily. The comfort class notations, COMF (NOISE N), COMF (VIBN), will be assigned by CCS to ships which have been found to comply with the relevant rules requirements after the noise and vibration measurements onboard, of which, N represents the comfort grades 1, 2, 3, where 1 means the highest grade and 3 an acceptable grade. Grade 3 is the minimum for meeting the noise and vibration requirements in the implementation of the Convention.

Crew Cabins and Public Spaces Maximum Allowable Noise Levels in dB(A)
Location Sleeping cabins Hospital Offices, conference rooms Crew public spaces, mess rooms, lounges Alleyways, changing rooms, bathrooms Open deck recreation areas Comfort grade (noise) 1 52 55 57 57 70 70 2 55 57 60 60 73 73 31 60 60 65 65 75 75

Crew Work Areas Maximum Allowable Noise Levels in dB(A)

Location Engine control room 4 Comfort grade (noise) 1 70 2 73 3 75

Wheelhouse Radio room Workshops Continuously attended machinery spaces Not continuously attended machinery spaces

60 55 85 90 110

63 57 85 90 110

65 60 85 90 110

Crew Spaces Maximum Allowable Vibration Levels in mm/s

Location 1 Crew cabins Wheel house, radio room Crew public spaces, mess rooms Hospital Offices Workshops Engine control room 2.8 3.0 3.0 2.8 3.0 5.0 4.0 Comfort grade (vibration) 2 3.0 3.5 3.5 3.0 3.5 6.0 5.0 3 3.2 4.0 4.0 3.2 4.0 6.5 6.0

(4) Guideline of the Convention recommends that the ships are to be in compliance with the requirements of ILO Code of Practice Entitled Ambient Factors in the Workplace, 2001,which consists of ten Chapters and one Appendix, listing various ambient factors which are harmful to workers health, such as hazardous chemicals, ionizing radiation, ultraviolet, infra-red and (in some circumstances) visible radiation, electric and magnetic fields, noise, vibration, high and low temperatures, humidity, etc., analyzes the hazard to workers health for each factor, provides the requirements how to assess, eliminate or control and prevent the accidents, and includes the relevant ILO and ISO standards. The code specifies the obligations, responsibilities and rights of parties concerned with regard to the elimination or control of all hazardous ambient factors in the working environment, in particular, emphasizes that the competent authorities are to set up the appropriate laws to carry out the surveillance of the workers health and working environment, organize special training to the workers and provide the relevant information.

3.6 Appropriate ventilation, heating and air-conditioning system Standard A3.1.7 in the Convention (a) sleeping rooms and mess rooms shall be adequately ventilated; (b) ships, except those regularly engaged in trade where temperate climatic conditions do not require this, shall be equipped with air conditioning for seafarer accommodation, for any separate radio room and for any centralized machinery control room; (c) all sanitary spaces shall have ventilation to the open air, independently of any other part of the accommodation; and (d) adequate heat through an appropriate heating system shall be provided, except in ships exclusively on voyages in tropical climates.
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Guideline B3.1.2 in the Convention 1. The system of ventilation for sleeping rooms and mess rooms should be controlled so as to maintain the air in a satisfactory condition and to ensure a sufficiency of air movement in all conditions of weather and climate. 2. Air-conditioning systems, whether of a centralized or individual unit type, should be designed to:
(a) maintain the air at a satisfactory temperature and relative humidity as compared to outside air conditions, ensure a sufficiency of air changes in all air-conditioned spaces, take account of the particular characteristics of operations at sea and not produce excessive noises or vibrations; and (b) facilitate easy cleaning and disinfection to prevent or control the spread of disease. 3. Power for the operation of the air conditioning and other aids to ventilation required by the preceding paragraphs of this Guideline should be available at all times when seafarers are living or working on board and conditions so require. However, this power need not be provided from an emergency source.

Guideline B3.1.3 in the Convention 1. The system of heating the seafarer accommodation should be in operation at all times when seafarers are living or working on board and conditions require its use. 2. In all ships in which a heating system is required, the heating should be by means of hot water, warm air, electricity, steam or equivalent. However, within the accommodation area, steam should not be used as a medium for heat transmission. The heating system should be capable of maintaining the temperature in seafarer accommodation at a satisfactory level under normal conditions of weather and climate likely to be met within the trade in which the ship is engaged. The competent authority should prescribe the standard to be provided. 3. Radiators and other heating apparatus should be placed and, where necessary, shielded so as to avoid risk of fire or danger or discomfort to the occupants. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.6, Guideline B3.1.2 ~ B3.1.3 and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2)If there are no specific provisions for maintaining the temperature in seafarer accommodation at a satisfactory level under normal conditions, it is recommended that the ventilation and heating system are to be capable of maintaining the accommodation areas with the appropriate temperature at1828 and the relative humidity at 30% ~ 70%. (3) For spaces without natural ventilation, at least 6 air changes per hour are to be provided. (4) Maintenance measures are to be made and implemented for the air-conditioning system and other ventilation systems onboard the ships.

3.7 Adequate natural light and sufficient lighting system Standard A3.1.8 in the Convention
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With respect to requirements for lighting, subject to such special arrangements as may be permitted in passenger ships, sleeping rooms and mess rooms shall be lit by natural light and provided with adequate artificial light. Guideline B3.1.4 in the Convention 1. In all ships, electric light should be provided in the seafarer accommodation. If there are not two independent sources of electricity for lighting, additional lighting should be provided by properly constructed lamps or lighting apparatus for emergency use. 2. In sleeping rooms an electric reading lamp should be installed at the head of each berth. 3. Suitable standards of natural and artificial lighting should be fixed by the competent authority. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.8, Guideline B3.1.4 and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2)The Convention requires that in addition to passenger ships, adequate natural light is to be provided in seafarers sleeping rooms and mess rooms. For special purpose ships, Standard A3.1.6(d) of the Convention requires that the competent authority may, on condition that satisfactory arrangements are made for lighting and ventilation, permit the location of seafarers sleeping rooms onboard the passenger ships and special purpose ships below the load line. It could be understood that provision of seafarers sleeping rooms onboard the special purpose ships are as the same as that onboard the passenger ships, and special arrangement may also be allowed for the natural light. (3) If there are no specific provisions for lighting standards by the competent authority of the flag State, it is recommended that the sufficient lighting is to be provided in seafarers sleeping rooms and mess rooms so that a person with normal vision can read an ordinary newspaper.

3.8 Calculation of mess room floor area Standard A3.1.10 in the Convention (b) mess rooms shall be of adequate size and comfort and properly furnished and equipped (including ongoing facilities for refreshment), taking account of the number of seafarers likely to use them at any one time; provision shall be made for separate or common mess room facilities as appropriate.

B3.1.6
Guideline B3.1.6 in the Convention 3. On ships other than passenger ships, the floor area of mess rooms for seafarers should be not less than 1.5 square metres per person of the planned seating capacity. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.10, Guideline B3.1.6 and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2) Considering the number of seafarers likely to use the mess room at any one time, it may
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deduct the number of seafarers keeping on watch from the total number of seafarers. The area of mess rooms is to be calculated at least 1.5 square meters per person.

3.9 Approved material used for washbasins and tub baths Standard A3.1.11 in the Convention (a) all seafarers shall have convenient access on the ship to sanitary facilities meeting minimum standards of health and hygiene and reasonable standards of comfort, with separate sanitary facilities being provided for men and for women; Guideline B3.1.7 in the Convention 1. Washbasins and tub baths should be of adequate size and constructed of approved material with a smooth surface not liable to crack, flake or corrode. 2. All toilets should be of an approved pattern and provided with an ample flush of water or with some other suitable flushing means, such as air, which are available at all times and independently controllable. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.11, Guideline B3.1.7 and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2) When the shipowners or shipyards are placing an order, particular quality and grade of the products are to be noted and it is to check whether there is relevant specification to document in compliance with the national standards or recognized industry standards (i.e. Sanitary Pottery GB6952-2005). Effective measures, such as water-sealing are to be provided for the stools and urinals to prevent odor penetrating the toilets.

3.10 Number of hospital berths Standard A3.1.12 in the Convention With respect to requirements for hospital accommodation, ships carrying 15 or more seafarers and engaged in a voyage of more than three days duration shall provide separate hospital accommodation to be used exclusively for medical purposes; the competent authority may relax this requirement for ships engaged in coastal trade; in approving on-board hospital accommodation, the competent authority shall ensure that the accommodation will, in all weathers, be easy of access, provide comfortable housing for the occupants and be conducive to their receiving prompt and proper attention. Guideline B3.1.8 in the Convention 3. The number of hospital berths required should be prescribed by the competent authority. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.12, Guideline B3.1.8
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and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2)If there are no specific provisions for number of hospital berths by the competent authority of the flag State, the number is to be determined by the shipowner as necessary, at least one hospital berth is to be provided.

3.11 Open decks provided for the seafarers when off duty Standard A3.1.14 in the Convention All ships shall have a space or spaces on open deck to which the seafarers can have access when off duty, which are of adequate area having regard to the size of the ship and the number of seafarers on board. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.14 and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2) One or morespaces on the open decks are to be provided to the seafarers when off duty, those spaces are to be determined by the shipowner according to the arrangement of open decks. (3) The open decks provided for the seafarers when off duty are to be kept far away from deck operational areas so as to prevent vibration and source of noise. The noise value measured on the open decks provided for seafarers when off duty onboard the ship constructed on or after 1st July 2014 applying to IMO Code of Noise Levels on Board Ship is not to be more than 75 dB. (4) The open decks provided for seafarers when off duty are to be indicated on the relevant plans and there is to be a sign onboard the ship.

3.12 Mosquito prevention devices Standard A3.1.16 in the Convention Ships regularly trading to mosquito-infested ports shall be fitted with appropriate devices as required by the competent authority. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Standard A3.1.16 and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2)If there are no specific provisions for mosquito prevention measures by the competent authority of the flag State, it is recommended to provide anti-mosquito screens (screen window and screen door) for the windows, vents and doors access to decks onboard the ships regularly trading to mosquito-infested ports, screen may not be fitted for the self-closing doors.

3.13 Bathroom provided inside the seafarers sleeping rooms Guideline B3.1.5 in the Convention 2. Where the size of the ship, the activity in which it is to be engaged and its layout make it reasonable and practicable, sleeping rooms should be planned and equipped with a private bathroom, including a toilet, so as to provide reasonable comfort for the occupants and to facilitate tidiness. Implementation principles: (1) It is to be implemented according to the requirements of Guideline B3.1.5 and the relevant provisions of the flag States. (2) Where a bathroom with sanitary facility is provided inside the seafarers sleeping room, the floor area of bathroom is not to be included in the minimum floor area of the sleeping room.

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