Incinerators, Introduction to safe operation

The disposal of garbage is often seen as a routine task, but there have been many accidents and injuries recently whilst loading and operating incinerators. New categories of garbage, and therefore a new form of garbage record book, were introduced by changes to MARPOL annex V in March 2018.

MEPC.295(71), 2017 Guidelines for the implementation of MARPOL Annex V, requires that those operating incinerators are trained to do so.

This learning session ensures that crew will know the essential safety features and safeguards related to incinerator operation, the new categorization of garbage, and the rules for its disposal. This will prevent accidents and injuries to personnel, and to ensure that garbage is disposed of safely and in accordance with MARPOL requirements.

Learning objectives:

• Identify the categories of garbage listed in the garbage record book
• Identify the safety risks if incinerators are not operated correctly
• State why interlocks are fitted to incinerator doors and why they should never be overridden
• Know that the disposal of nearly all types of garbage into the sea is prohibited
• Identify types of garbage for which incineration is not an effective means of disposal