A new COVID-19 Good Practice Guide for Workboats has been issued to help minimise the spread of COVID-19, protect people’s health and maximise efficiency when responding to an COVID-19-related emergency situation.
The Workboat Association’s guide includes a number of controls that it recommends workboat operators implement . These include designation of a COVID-19 action plan within the organisation’s management system; onboard and shoreside operational risk assessment for COVID-19; regular COVID-19 management meetings; and preparations for the event of necessary ‘post COVID-19 case’ cleansing of a workplace or vessel .
Sanitisation regime
The Workboat Association has proposed an increased onboard and shoreside stock of essential cleaning supplies and gloves, to include PPE for a potentially infected person; and the amendment of daily cleaning schedules to involve regular cleansing and disinfecting of contact areas and objects, including sanitation facilities.
Workboat operators are also advised to ensure anybody boarding the vessel immediately washes their hands using warm water and soap, with hand sanitiser used only as a second measure; designate an area onboard to transport any potentially infected persons back to port; and implement health screening for seafarers, anyone with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature should be denied embarkation.
Seating plans (if carrying passengers) should be reduced to conform with locally applicable distancing guidance. If this information is unknown, The Workboat Association suggests no closer than 1.5m minimum. Where possible, crew should remain segregated from passengers and separate walk-ways be designated when applicable.
By Rebecca Jeffrey
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