Hazards of Iron fines: Temporary increase in temperature of about 30 deg C due to self heating There is risk of overheating, fire

,and explosion during the transport The cargo reacts with air and water to produce the heat and hydrogen(hydrogen is flammable gas and can lead to explosion if mixed with air in concentrations above 4% by volume. The heating of may lead to high temperature Oxygen in the cargo space and adjacent space may be depleted. Flammable may also build up in these spaces. The cargo is reactive but reactivity is extremely difficult to assess. PREPARATION FOR LOADING

A) Cargo spaces must be cleaned, dried and should be free from residue of previous cargo. B) Prior to loading all debris and flammable materials shall be removed. C) Check and ensure weather tightness of hatch covers and closing devices D) The certificates for the cargo properties must be obtained from the shippers regardingMoisture content, Cargo temperature, and ageing Precautions for loading iron fines:

a) Weather precautions: The cargo shall not be loaded during any precipitations. During loading of this cargo, all non working hatches of cargo spaces into which cargo is loaded or is to be loaded ,shall be kept closed. b) All possible measures must be taken to ensure Moisture Content should not exceed the TML c) Prior shipment the cargo must be aged for at least 30 days and certificates conforming the this shall be issued by the competent person d) e) f) d) The ballast tanks adjacent to cargo spaces shall be kept empty. e) Weather tightness must be ensured all the times during the voyage. f) Bilges must be sounded at regular interval to ensure there is no ingress of water in the cargo spaces. g) The introduction of moisture and accumulation of condensations in the cargo spaces shall be avoided. h) Appropriate precautions must be taken to protect machinery and accommodation spaces from cargo dust.

g)

h)

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i) Radar and communications equipments must be protected from the dust of the cargo j) Persons who may be exposed to the dust of the cargo shall wear protective clothing, goggles, dust filters etc. k)No Smoking and No Naked light sign shall be posted. l)Hot work shall not be allowed in the cargo spaces.

k) l)

m) m) No person shall be allowed to enter any cargo space and spaces adjacent to cargo spaces without adopting proper procedure n) n)Prior to loading, provision shall be made to introduce inert gas at tanktop level o) o)All vents, accesses and other opening must be closed and sealed whenever inert gas need to introduced. p)Any cargo that has been already loaded into cargo space and which subsequently is exposed to freshwater or sea water and becomes wetted,or in which reaction has started and its temp increased to 120 deg C shall be discharged without delay.

p)

q) q) On completion of loading all cargo spaces must be closed and sealed.Sufficient inert gas must be introduced to achieve an oxygen content below 5% through out the voyage. r) VENTILATION: The cargo spaces must be tightly sealed and in inert condition. s) GAS MONITORING: The ship must be provided instruments to measure oxygen and hydrogen in oxygen depleted atmoshphere t)