POINT EXTRACTION

Why publish sector specific guidance
on point extraction?
Airborne pollution is an undesirable yet unavoidable
consequence of human activities. If a person,
in the course of his work, comes into contact with
harmful fumes or toxic vapours from chemicals, his
health can be adversely affected. Pollution can
have harmful effects on the mucus membranes,
the skin and on breathing. It can cause both acute
effects as well as long-term, chronic effects. Shortness
of breath and loss of consciousness are examples
of acute effects, while asthma, chronic
bronchitis and cancer can be the results of more
long-term exposure.
As a starting point, the law requires that any work
on board a merchant vessel should be carried out
in an entirely appropriate way with regard to health
and safety. This means that persons may not/
should not be exposed to unnecessary harmful influences
that, in either the short or the long term,
can have bad effects on their health.
Consequently, representatives of the shipping industry
have collaborated in preparing this sector
specific guidance. The purpose has been to establish
a form of sound and accepted practice in the
elimination of airborne pollution by means of point
extraction.
The guidelines have been submitted to the Danish
Maritime Authority and any comments are included
in the text.
Legislation
The guidelines are based on the following:
• Legal notice no. 554 of 21st June 2000 on Safety at Sea, with subsequent amendments.
• Directive B from the Danish Maritime Authority on the construction and equipping of vessels etc.
Chapter B II-4: The design and equipping of workrooms and workplaces. 1st January 2001.
• The Danish Maritime Authority’s technical regulation no. 6 of 3rd July 1997: On mechanical extraction
from a closed area used for handling paints, and from workplaces on ships.
Prevention with point extraction and ventilation
The best prevention is naturally to entirely avoid airborne pollution, e.g. by changing the working
process or by changing to other products that do not pollute. A good form of prevention can also be
achieved by eliminating pollution by means of mechanical point extraction. In certain cases it is not possible
to eliminate the pollution in a sufficiently effective way. In these cases, damage to health must be
prevented by the use of suitable personal protection.
Sector specific guidance, The Danish Maritime Occupational Health Service:
Point extraction - Why publish sector specific guidance on point extraction?
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