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Marine Cargo and Deck Operations Risk Assessment

This risk assessment covers cargo and deck operations, including planning, access, lifting, cargo movement and emergency response.

Activities covered include

  • Coordinating cargo information, work activities, communications and worker allocation before starting
  • Handling cargo gear and completing lashing and unlashing tasks
  • Managing weather, vessel movement, noise, fatigue and emergency response during deck work

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Marine Cargo and Deck Operations Risk Assessment
  • 100% Compliant with Australian WHS Acts & Regulations
  • Fully Editable MS Word & PDF Formats Included
  • Pre-filled Content - Ready to Deploy Immediately
  • Customisable - Easily Add Your Logo & Site Details
  • Includes 2 Years of Free Compliance Updates

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers cargo and deck operations, including planning, access, lifting, cargo movement and emergency response. It supports identifying hazards and managing controls across vessel, wharf and deck work.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

  • Coordinating cargo information, work activities, communications and worker allocation before starting
  • Managing boarding access and movement on gangways, ladders and deck walkways
  • Conducting lifting operations and controlling suspended loads
  • Stowing, securing and releasing cargo, lashings, chains, wires and ropes
  • Managing interactions between pedestrians, mobile plant, vehicles and cargo operations
  • Handling cargo gear and completing lashing and unlashing tasks
  • Working in holds, restricted spaces and below-deck areas
  • Managing hazardous cargo, dust, fumigants and dangerous goods during cargo work
  • Using powered equipment, temporary cables, portable lighting and electrical connections on deck
  • Managing weather, vessel movement, noise, fatigue and emergency response during deck work

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses carrying out marine cargo and deck operations.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Activity Potential Hazards
Pre-start planning and coordination
  • Unclear cargo information or change in cargo condition
  • Conflicting vessel, shore and contractor activities
  • Inadequate communication between crane crew, deck crew and terminal personnel
  • Fatigue, inexperience or unsuitable allocation of workers
Access to vessel and deck movement
  • Falls while boarding or moving between wharf and vessel
  • Slips, trips and falls on wet, uneven or obstructed deck surfaces
  • Access route struck by plant or obstructed by cargo operations
  • Inadequate lighting on gangways, ladders or deck walkways
Lifting operations and suspended loads
  • Dropped or uncontrolled loads
  • Failure of lifting gear, slings, hooks or attachments
  • Workers struck by suspended cargo or crane movement
  • Multiple people giving conflicting lift directions
Cargo stowage, securing and release of stored energy
  • Collapse or shift of cargo stacks
  • Release of tension from lashings, chains, wires or ropes
  • Crush injuries while stowing, securing or unsecuring cargo
  • Instability from poor stacking, floor loading or changed cargo condition
Mobile plant and vehicle interaction on deck and wharf
  • Collision between forklifts, terminal vehicles, mobile plant and pedestrians
  • Workers crushed between plant, cargo and fixed structures
  • Reversing incidents and blind spots
  • Uncontrolled traffic movement during RoRo or general cargo operations
Manual handling during lashing, unlashing and cargo gear work
  • Musculoskeletal injury from heavy, awkward or repetitive tasks
  • Pinch and crush injuries to hands and fingers
  • Strains from working above shoulder height or in awkward postures
  • Cuts and abrasions from chains, straps, twist locks and fittings
Work in holds, restricted spaces and below deck areas
  • Oxygen-deficient, contaminated or explosive atmospheres
  • Difficult escape in an emergency
  • Workers struck by plant or cargo in confined work areas
  • Poor ventilation, heat and reduced visibility
Hazardous cargo, dust, fumigants and dangerous goods
  • Exposure to toxic, corrosive or irritant substances
  • Dust inhalation, reduced visibility or explosive dust conditions
  • Fire or chemical reaction from incompatible cargo
  • Skin and eye contact during loading, discharge or spill response
Electrical hazards and powered equipment on deck
  • Electric shock from damaged leads, portable lighting or refrigerated container connections
  • Electrical equipment deterioration from moisture, salt, vibration or mechanical damage
  • Trip hazards from temporary cables
  • Unauthorised isolation or energisation of equipment
Weather, sea conditions, noise and emergency response
  • Slips, loss of footing or load instability from rain, wind or vessel movement
  • Heat stress, sun exposure or fatigue during extended deck work
  • Hearing damage from plant and cargo operations
  • Delayed rescue response for man overboard, fire, spill or medical emergency

Need to tailor this risk assessment?

Use the BlueSafe Portal to add site-specific activities, hazards, controls, responsibilities and review details before the assessment is put into use.

Acceptance Guaranteed: If your client or principal requests changes during document review, BlueSafe will help revise the document at no extra cost and support resubmission until it is accepted.

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant hazard identification — Traffic movements in the workplace; p. 17.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing electrical risks in the workplace — 2.1 Identifying the hazards; p. 14.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work — Provide sufficient breaks while at work; p. 30.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — 2.2 Safety Data Sheets (SDS); p. 16.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing noise and preventing hearing loss at work — 5. Controlling the risks; p. 29.
  • Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 3. Step 2 — How to assess risks; p. 15.
Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)
  • Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
  • Initial and residual risk ratings
  • Assigned responsible persons for each activity
  • Risk matrix and assessment classification
  • Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
  • Site-specific customisation before use

Suitable for Industries

Transport and Logistics

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