Product Overview

This Marine Cargo and Deck Operations Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is designed to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective controls for marine cargo handling and deck-based tasks. It is a comprehensive document covering multiple aspects of marine cargo and deck operations to support WHS compliance in Australian maritime and port environments.

Activities & Specific Tasks Covered

This document includes specific risk controls for:

• Planning and coordination of general deck operations, including toolbox talks, pre-start checks, and communication protocols
• Safe movement of crew and contractors on wet, unstable, or congested decks to minimise slips, trips, and falls
• Industrial fishing activities, including deployment, retrieval, and handling of nets, lines, pots, and associated gear
• Management of entanglement, line snap-back, and crush hazards during trawling, longlining, and other commercial fishing operations
• Liquid bulk cargo handling, including loading, discharge, transfer, and sampling of fuels, oils, chemicals, and other liquid products
• Control of spills, vapours, flammable atmospheres, and environmental contamination during liquid cargo operations
• Work above open deck hatches, including access, edge protection, and fall prevention measures
• Installation and use of physical barriers, guardrails, and fall protection systems around open holds and hatchways
• Use of cranes, winches, derricks, and lifting appliances for cargo handling, including slinging, signalling, and exclusion zones
• Manual handling of cargo, gear, and equipment to reduce musculoskeletal injuries on moving or uneven deck surfaces
• Emergency response procedures for man overboard, fire, explosion, chemical exposure, and uncontrolled release of cargo
• Safe use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including PFDs, harnesses, gloves, eye and respiratory protection relevant to marine operations
• Fatigue management, weather monitoring, and vessel motion considerations when scheduling and conducting deck work

Who is this for?

This SWMS is designed for commercial fishing operators, marine and offshore cargo handlers, port and terminal crews, shipowners, and site supervisors responsible for managing marine cargo and deck operations.

Specific Job Steps & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

This document was researched and developed to align with:

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2017
• Code of Practice: Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace – for safe handling, transfer, and storage of liquid bulk and chemical cargoes
• Code of Practice: Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces – for control measures when working above open deck hatches and elevated areas
• Code of Practice: Managing Noise and Preventing Hearing Loss at Work – for high-noise environments involving winches, engines, and cargo equipment
• Code of Practice: First Aid in the Workplace – for ensuring appropriate first aid arrangements on vessels and marine worksites
• AS/NZS 1891 Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices – for selection and use of harnesses, lanyards, and anchor points during deck and hatch work
• AS/NZS 4755 Lifting devices – for inspection and safe use of lifting appliances used in cargo and deck operations
• AS/NZS 1715 Selection, use and maintenance of respiratory protective equipment – for vapour, fume, and chemical exposure during liquid cargo handling
• AS/NZS 1270 Acoustics – Hearing protectors – for appropriate hearing protection in marine and deck operations