202516 Chemical hazards need PPE
Providing learning through confidential reports – an international co-operative scheme for improving safety
An engineer was inspecting the chemical locker. He found that although there was a notice in place instructing crew to use proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling the chemicals stored there, there was no easy access to specialised PPE equipment in place. He advised the Master and Chief Engineer and PPE was placed in easy access to the chemicals.

Lessons learned
- This is a good example of seeing a hazard that was in plain view for some time.
- Each chemical has its own specific risks. While specific PPE should be easily accessible, so too should an information matrix that shows what PPE must be worn for each chemical.