MARINE NOTICE 16/2011
Supersedes 12/2010
New Confined Space Regulation
The Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) (National Standards) Regulations 2003 were amended on 20 April 2010 to incorporate regulations in relation to confined spaces. The new regulations implemented the Australian Standard in relation to confined spaces (AS2865-2009). This was done with adaptations relevant to conditions in the maritime industry.
The purpose of the amendment was to protect the occupational health and safety of those required to enter and work in confined spaces in the maritime industry. To achieve this purpose the amended regulations contain a variety of duties that operators of prescribed ships and prescribed units, and their employees, must perform.
The amended regulations and the explanatory statement in relation to the regulations are available from the AMSA website at: www.amsa.gov.au/Shipping_Safety/OHS/
Guidance on confined spaces training
Regulation 4.28 of the Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) (National Standards) Regulations 2003 specifies requirements for training for entering confined spaces. The Seacare Authority has prepared a summary which provides best practice guidance on confined spaces training as required under the regulation (Guidance for Confined Spaces Training). This publication is available from the Seacare Authority website at: www.seacare.gov.au/news/features_listing/guidance_on_confined_spaces
Mick Kinley
A/g Chief Executive Officer
21 November 2011
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
Canberra ACT 2601
File No: 041146