Dock Labour regulation (DLR), 1990

 Dock labour = Dock worker

Understand, what is the Dock worker?

“Dock worker” means a person employed or to be employed in, or in the vicinity of, any port on work in connection with the loading, unloading, movement or storage of cargoes, or work in connection with the preparation of ships or other vessels for the receipt or discharge of cargoes or leaving port.

eg: Stevedores, foreman, Crane operators, a person coming onboard for ship repair, etc...

Dock Labour regulation:-

• These regulations may be called the Dock Workers (Safety, Health, and Welfare) Regulations, 1990. 
• To safeguard the lives and interests of dock workers.
• It applies to all major ports in India.

Definitions concerning Dock labour regulation:

"Authorised person" means a person authorized by the employer, the master of the ship, or a responsible person to undertake a specific task and possessing the necessary technical knowledge and experience for undertaking the task.

"Competent person" means a person belonging to a testing establishment in India who is approved by the Chief Inspector for the purpose of testing, examination or annealing and certification of lifting appliances, loose gears, or wire ropes; any other person who is recognized under the relevant regulations in force in other countries as competent for issuing certificates.

"Responsible person" means a person appointed by the employer, the master of the ship, the owner of the gear or port authorities, as the case may be, to be 

responsible for the performance of a specific duty or duties and who has sufficient knowledge and experience and the requisite authority for the proper performance of the duties.

"safe working load" in relation to an article of loose gear or lifting appliance means the load which is the maximum load that may be imposed with safety in the normal working conditions and as assessed and certified by the competent person.

"lifting appliance" means all stationary or mobile cargo handling appliances including their permanent attachments, such as cranes, derricks shore-based power operated ramps used onshore or onboard ship for suspending, raising or lowering, cargo or moving them from one position to another while suspended or supported, in connection with the dock work and includes lifting machinery.

"loose gear" means hook, shackle, swivel, chain, sling, lifting beam, container spreader, tray, and any other such gear, using which the load can be attached to a lifting appliance and includes lifting device.

"Thorough examination" for the purpose of this regulation shall mean a visual examination, supplemented if necessary by other means such as hammer test, carried out as carefully as the conditions permit, to arrive at a reliable conclusion as to the safety of the parts examined, and if necessary for this purpose, parts of the lifting appliance and gear shall be dismantled.

"Inspector" means a person appointed by the Central Government under Sec. 3 of the Act and includes the Chief Inspector.

What are the "Powers of Dock safety Inspector" as per DLR?

An Inspector may at any port for which he is appointed,

Provided that no person shall be compelled to answer any question or, give any evidence tending to incriminate himself;

1. Enter, with such assistance, (if any), as he thinks fit, any ship, dock, warehouse or other premises, where any dock work, is being carried on, or where he has reason to believe that any dock work is being carried on
2. Make an examination of the ship, dock, lifting appliance, loose gear, lifting device, staging, transport equipment, warehouse, or other premises, used or to be used, for any dock work
3. Require the production of any testing muster roll or other document relating to the employment of dock workers and examine such document
4. Take on the spot or otherwise such evidence of any person which he may deem necessary:
5. Take copies of registers, records or other documents or portions thereof as he may consider relevant in respect of any offense which he has reason to believe has been committed or for the purpose of any inquiry;
6. Take photographs, sketch, sample, weight measure, or record as he may consider necessary for the purpose of any examination or inquiry;
7. Hold an inquiry into the cause of any accident or dangerous occurrence which he has reason to believe was the result of the collapse or failure of any lifting appliance loose gear, transport equipment, staging non-compliance with any of the provisions of the Act or the regulations;
8. Issue show-cause notice relating to the safety, health, and welfare provisions arising under the Act or the regulations;
9. Prosecute, conduct or defend before any court any complaint or other proceedings, arising under the Act or the regulations;
10. Direct the port authority, dock labour board, and other employers of dock workers for getting the dock workers medically examined if considered necessary.

    A person having general management and control of the premises or the owner, master, officer-in-charge or agents of the ship, as the case may be, shall provide such means as may be required by the Inspector for entry, inspection, examination, inquiry, otherwise for the exercise of his powers under Act and the regulations in relation to that ship or premises which shall also include the provision of launch or other means of transport.

What are the Obligations of Dock workers?

• No dock worker shall wilfully interfere with, or misuse, any appliance, convenience or other thing provided in connection with any dock work for the purpose of securing the health, safety, and welfare of dock workers;
• No dock worker shall wilfully and without reasonable cause do anything likely to endanger himself or others; and
• No dock worker shall wilfully neglect to make use of any appliance, convenience, or other thing provided in connection with any dock work for the purpose of securing the health, safety, and welfare of dock workers.
• If any dock worker violates any of the provisions of sub-section (1), he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, or with both.

What are the guidelines for Protective equipment as per DLR?

1. Where other means of protection against harmful agents are impracticable or insufficient, dock workers shall be provided with adequate protective clothing and personal protective equipment to shield them from the effects of such agents.
2. Protective clothing personal protective equipment shall be of suitable quality and maintained in good condition and shall be cleaned and disinfected at suitable intervals.
3. Where protective equipment and clothing may be contaminated by poisonous or other dangerous goods, it shall be stored in a separate accommodation where it will not contaminate the dock workers clothing and other belongings.
4. Suitable protection equipment shall be issued to the dock workers employed in the reefer holds or chambers or reefer containers for affording complete body protection.

What are the general precautions during loading and unloading operations as per DLR?

1. No cargo shall be loaded or unloaded by a fall or sling at any intermediate deck unless either the hatch at that deck is securely covered or a secure landing platform of a width not less than that of one section of hatch coverings has been placed across it: Provided that this regulation shall not apply to any loading or unloading work the whole of which may be completed within a period of half an hour.
2. No loose gear or any other object shall be thrown in or out of the holds.
3. During the loading and unloading of bulk cargo, a record of all dock workers employed in the hold shall be maintained and produced on demand to the Inspector.
4. Where necessary cargo shall be secured or blocked to prevent its shifting or falling. In breaking down, precautions shall be taken where necessary to prevent the remaining cargo from falling.
5. (a) Dragging of cargo shall be done with the ship's winches only when the runner is led directly from the derrick heel block, and (b) Pulley blocks shall be used to provide a fair lead for the runner so as to prevent it from dragging against obstructions.
6. If the head room in the hold of a ship for the purpose of stacking and unstacking is less than 1.5 metres, the suitable measures shall be taken to guard against accident.
7. Loads shall be safely slung before being hoisted. Loose dunnage or debris hanging or protruding from loads shall be removed and suitable means shall be adopted to prevent cargo from falling out.
8. Cargo handling bridles, such as pallet bridles, which are to remain attached to the lifting appliance while hoisting successive sling loads, shall be attached by shackles, or other positive means shall be taken to prevent them from becoming accidentally disengaged from the hook of the lifting appliance.
9. When lifting appliance is operating without a load on the slings:
1. slings or chains shall be hooked securely to the appliances before the operators are given the signal to move;
2. sharp hooks, multiple hooks, and claws shall not hang at one end but shall be reeved through slings; and
3. the operators shall raise the appliance sufficiently to keep clear off dock workers and objects.
10. Effective measures shall be taken, by the use of suitable packing or otherwise, to prevent edges of any load from coming in contact with any rope or chain sling which is likely to cause any damage to the rope or chain sling.
11. Buckets, tubs, and similar appliances shall not be loaded above their rims.
12. No loads shall be lifted at strappings unless such strappings are approved as proper and safe slinging points. The movement of such loads is allowed only if everybody has left the danger zone.
13. When working with lifting appliances, slope-pulling, horizontal dragging, and intentional swing of loads and lifting devices are prohibited.

What are the restrictions of Loading and Unloading operations as per DLR?

1. No other work, for example, maintenance or repair work such as sandblasting or welding shall be performed at places where dock work is in progress if it is likely to endanger or obstruct the person carrying out dock work.
2. When more than one gang of dock workers are employed in dock work simultaneously in a hold, it shall be ensured that,

(a) the operation of loading or unloading is harmonised to avoid dangers to the working gangs from one another;

(b) the slung cargo of one gang will not endanger the dock workers of the other gang;

(c) where gangs are working at different levels, a net shall be rigged and securely fastened to prevent dock workers from falling down or cargo falling on to dock workers below;

(d) over crowding of gangs in a section of the hold is avoided.

What are the precautions of Stacking and Unstacking of cargo as per DLR?

1. Where stacking, unstacking, stowing or unstowing, stuffing or de-stuffing of cargo or handling in connection therewith cannot be safely carried out unaided, reasonable measures to guard against accidents shall be taken by shoring or otherwise.
2. Stacking of cargo shall be made on a firm foundation not liable to settle and the weight of the cargo shall be such as not over-load the floors.
3. Cargo shall not be stacked against partition or walls of warehouses or store places unless it is known that the partition or the wall is of sufficient strength to withstand the pressure.
4. Cargo shall not be stacked to such a height and in such a manner as would render the pile unstable.
5. Where the dock workers are working on stacks exceeding 1.5 meters in height, safe means of access to the stack shall be provided.
6. Stacking and unstacking work shall be performed under the supervision of an authorised person.

Wire rope inspection and when to discard the wire rope?

• No rope shall be used for dock work unless -

(a) it is of suitable quality and free from patent defect, and

(b) in the case of wire rope, it has been tested and examined by a competent person.

• Every wire rope of lifting appliance or loose gear used in dock work shall be inspected by a responsible person once at least in every 3 months, provided that after any wire has broken in such rope, it shall be inspected once at least in every month.
• No wire rope shall be used in dock work if in any length of eight diameters the total number of visible broken wires exceeds 10 percent. of the total number of wires or the rope shows sign of excessive wear, corrosion, or other defects which in the opinion of the person who inspects it or Inspector, renders it as unfit for use.Click this link for numericals
  

Means of access between Ship and Shore as per DLR?

• When a ship is lying at a wharf or quay for the purpose of dock work, adequate and safe means of access to the ship, properly installed and secured, shall be provided.
• Safe means, required by sub-regulation (1) shall be as follows:
• Where practicable, the ship, accommodation ladder or a gangway or similar construction, shall be-

(i) not less than 55 cms, wide at the steps and of adequate depth with steps having permanent non-skid surface;

(ii) properly secured and securely fenced throughout its length on each side to a clear height of one metre by means of upper and lower rails, taut ropes or chains or by other equally safe means except that in the case of ship's accommodation ladder such fencing shall be necessary one side only provided that the other side is properly protected by the ship's side;

(iii) constructed of suitable material and maintained in good condition and suitable for the purpose;

(iv) maintained in a condition as to prevent slipping;

(v) fitted with a platform at either end of the ladder and the lower platform or the treads resting on the dock;

(vi) an angle maintained not exceeding 40 degrees to the horizontal irrespective of resting on the dock.

• When a fixed tread ladder is used and the angle is low enough to require dock workers to walk on the edge of the treads, cleated duck boards shall be laid over and secured to the ladder.
• Whenever there is a danger of dock workers falling between the ship and the shore, a safety knot or other suitable protection shall be rigged below the accommodation ladder in such a manner as to prevent dock workers from falling.
• If it is not possible to rest the accommodation ladder or gangway and the foot of the same is more than 30 cms. away from the edge of the wharf or quay, the space between them shall be bridged by a firm walkway equipped with railing on both sides with a minimum height of one meter with the mid-rails.
• Access to the ship shall not be within the swinging radius of the load.
• When the upper end of the means of access rests on or is in flush with the top of the bulwark substantial steps properly secured and equipped with at least one substantial handrail one meter in height shall be provided between the top of the bulwark and the deck and the steps provided shall be, as far as practicable, in line with the gangway.
• The use of swinging derricks or rope ladders for access shall be prohibited.

What is annealing and how is it carried out? What is the annealing intervals for various parts?

        Annealing is also known as the heat treatment process while the gear is heated to high temperatures and cooled slowly. Annealing will soften the material, release any internal stress from the material, which if untreated may cause cracks or fractures.

The annealing must be carried out under the supervision of a competent person.

• It is recommended though not required by the regulations, that annealing should be carried out in a suitably constructed furnace, heated to a temperature between 1100° and 1300° Fahrenheit (600° to 700° centigrade), for a period between 30 and 60 minutes. After being annealed, the gear is allowed to cool slowly and shall be carefully inspected.

Annealing intervals:

        All chains (other than bridle chains attached to derricks or masts), rings, hooks, shackles, and swivels made of wrought iron which are used in hoisting or lowering shall be annealed at the following intervals:

• 12.5mm(0.5 inches) and smaller chains, rings, hooks, shackles, and swivels in general use at least once every six months.
• All other chains, rings, hooks, shackles, and swivels in general use at least once every six months.
• In the case of gear used solely on lifting machinery worked by hand, twelve-month shall be substituted for six months and two years for twelve months as stated above.
• The period between annealing shall not exceed two years.
• Gear made of steel or gear which contains (as in a ball bearing swivels) or is permanently attached to equipment made of materials that cannot be subjected to heat treatment shall be exempt from annealing. Such gear shall be thoroughly examined.

What is a Chain register and What are the contents of a Chain register?

        The chain register is the register carrying the details concerning a ship's lifting gear. The lifting gear includes lifting gear used on deck and in the engine room, such as derricks, cranes, lifting machinery, lashing equipment, etc including chains, rings, hooks, shackles, etc.

        Chain register is a Blue colored booklet, also referred to as form II, which is maintained up to date requirement of Dock safety regulations.

Contents of Chain register:

1. The chain register is divided into three parts:
1. Part 1 – Initial and periodical load test of lifting appliances and their annual thorough examination.
2. Part 2 – Initial and periodical load test of loose gear and their annual thorough examination.
3. Annealing of chains, rings, hooks, shackles, and swivels (other than those that are exempted).
2. Certificates shall be obtained from a competent person and attached to the register in Form II, in respect of the following, in the forms shown against each:
1. Initial and periodical test and examination for winches, derricks, and their accessory gear in Form III
2. Initial and periodical test and examination for cranes or hoists and their accessory gear in Form IV
3. Test, examination, and re-examination of loose gears under regulation 47 in Form V;
4. Test and examination of wire ropes under regulation 48 in Form VI;
5. Heat treatment and examination of loose gears under sub-regulation (1) of regulation 49, in Form VII;
6. An annual thorough examination of the loose gears under sub-regulation (2) of regulation 47 in Form VIII, unless required particulars have been entered in the register in Form II.