Precautions against electrostatic hazards

• Bonding of metal objects to the metal structure of the ship to eliminate the risk of spark discharges between metal objects that might be electrically insulated. This includes metallic components of any equipment used for dipping, ullaging and sampling.
• Removal of any loose conductive objects that cannot be bonded.
• Restricting the linear velocity of the cargo to a maximum of 1 meter per second at the individual tank inlets during the initial stages of loading,
• Continuing to restrict the product flow to a maximum of 1 m/s at the tank inlet for the whole operation unless the product is `clean‘. A `clean‘ product, within this context, is defined as one which contains less than 0.5% by volume of free water or other immiscible liquid and less than 10 mg/l of suspended solids.
• Avoiding splash filling by employing bottom entry using a fill pipe terminating close to the bottom of the tank.
• Banning the use of all metallic equipment for dipping, ullaging and sampling.
• Banning the use of all non-metallic containers of more than 1 litre capacity for dipping, ullaging and sampling during loading and for 30 minutes after completion of loading.

• Portable Tank Washing Machines and Hoses

–Avoid spark in contact with the internal structure of a cargo tank.
–Effective bonding of machine with hose
–Effective bonding between the hoses
–Ensure electrical continuity of the hoses (Test)
–Supported by means of a natural fibre rope and not by means of the water supply hose

• Avoid free fall into a tank (also slop tanks)
• Add care is required during spraying of water

–Static accumulator oils may not be present in substantial quantities (liquid surface) during water spaying

• Steaming only under inert conditions or if LFL measurement < 10%
• Injection of tank cleaning chemicals only under inert conditions or if LFL measurement < 10%