REGULATION 88.A-10: Whenever it shall become necessary to remove any especially inflammable cargo from ships to public wharves in the Canal Zone, the Port Captain shall be notified at least two hours before such cargo is to be discharged upon the wharf, so that the proper means can be provided to dispose of this class of material at the earliest moment. (See note following Regulation 88.A−1.) Handling, Loading, and Unloading of Explosives in Canal Zone Ports REGULATION 88.A-11. Application: Regulations 88.A-11 to 88.A-25 apply to all vessels, domestic and foreign, regardless of character, tonnage, size, service, and whether self-propelled or not, and whether arriving or departing, or under way, moored, anchored, or aground, except tankers: Provided, however, That said Regulations shall not be construed to apply to the transportation of military or naval forces with their accompanying munitions of war or stores. (Regulations 88.A-11 to 88.A-25 were added by Governor's Regulation September 18, 1942, as amended December 29, 1942, prescribed by the Governor under authority of Rule 9 of E. O. No. 4314 of September 25, 1925. Section 1 (b) of the Governor's To-All-Concerned circular L-33 of December 29, 1942 provided: “Regulations 88.A-11 to 88.A-25, governing the safe handling and unloading of explosives in Canal Zone ports, shall also apply in all appropriate respects to the loading of explosives in Canal Zone ports, and said Regulations are amended accordingly." The text of Regulations 88.A-11 to 88.A-25 has therefore been amended so as to apply to the loading of explosives.) REGULATION 88.A-12. Classification of Explosives: Explosives are classified for purposes of Regulations 88.A-11 to 88.A-25 as follows: CLASS A.-DANGEROUS EXPLOSIVES Ammunition for cannon with explosive projectiles. Ammunition for cannon with explosive smoke projectiles. Ammunition for cannon with explosive incendiary projectiles. Black powder. Blasting powder. Blasting caps more than 1,000. Blasting caps with safety fuse-more than 1,000. Blasting caps, electric-more than 1,000. Boosters (explosive). Detonating fuses. Explosive torpedoes. Low explosives. Initiating explosives. Wet fulminate of mercury. Wet diazodinitrophenol. Wet pentaorythrite tetranitrate. Wet lead Azide. CLASS B.-LESS DANGEROUS EXPLOSIVES Deteriorated smokeless powder for cannon. Smokeless powder for cannon. Smokeless powder for cannon or small arms in water. Fireworks. CLASS C.-RELATIVELY SAFE EXPLOSIVES Ammunition for small arms. Small arms primers. Blasting caps with safety fuse 1,000 or less caps. Cartridge cases, empty, primed. Combination fuses. Combination primers. Cordeau detonant. Empty cartridge bags. Black powder igniters. Empty cartridge cases primed. Fuse igniters. Fuse lighters. Fuse, safety. Igniters.' Fuses, combination, percussion, time or tracer. Instantaneous fuse. Grenades, empty, primed. Percussion caps. Percussion fuses. Primers. Toy caps. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A–13. Inspection for and Report of Fires: The master of any vessel having on board explosives or other dangerous articles or substances as cargo and about to enter a port of the Canal Zone shall make or cause to be made an inspection prior to entering such port. If the inspection discloses the presence of fire or any other hazardous condition, such condition shall immediately be reported to the Captain of the Port and the master or person in charge of such vessel shall comply with the instructions given by the Captain of the Port as to procedure to be followed in entering port. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A-14. Authorization to Load or Unload Explosives: Shipments of Class A explosives in amount exceeding 500 pounds shall not be loaded on or unloaded from any vessel in Canal Zone ports until authorization for such loading or unloading has been obtained from the Port Captain concerned. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A-15. Loading or Unloading Explosives at Same Time as Other Cargo: Explosives shall not be loaded or unloaded at the same time that other cargo is being loaded or unloaded unless approval is obtained from the Port Captain concerned: Provided, that in no case shall drums or other containers of inflammable liquids classed as Grade "A," "B," or "C" by Regulation 88.B-1 (page 43 of this pamphlet) be loaded or unloaded at the same time that explosives are being loaded or unloaded. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A-16. Preparations before Handling, Loading or Unloading Explosives: All decks, gangways and hatches over or through which explosives must be passed or handled in loading or unloading, shall be freed of all loose material and shall be swept broom clean both before and after loading or unloading. The hatches and cargo ports opening into a compartment in which explosives are stowed shall be kept closed at all times, except during loading or unloading of the compartment. When closed the hatches shall be covered with tarpaulins securely battened. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A-17. Manner of Handling, Loading or Unloading Explosives: All explosives must be handled carefully. Packages of explosives must not be thrown, dropped, rolled, dragged or slid over each other or over the decks. In transferring explosives to or from a pier or another vessel the packages must be handled by hand or by using a regulation chute and mattress. If the difference in elevation between the vessels or a vessel and the dock, or conditions of weather render it difficult to safely load or unload by hand or chute, mechanical hoist, crates, rope-net slings or basket may be used. The maximum load handled in crates, rope-net slings or baskets per draft shall not exceed 2,400 pounds. No containers of explosives shall be loaded above the side of any crate or basket nor shall rope-net slings be so loaded as to prevent the sling from encompassing the entire load on its top side. Explosives shall not be handled roughly. They must be hoisted and lowered carefully and only deposited or lowered onto a mattress. Blasting caps, detonating fuses, fulminate of mercury and other initiating or priming explosives as defined in these regulations shall be considered as constituting a distinct class of dangerous explosives and because of the hazard involved they shall be handled with extreme care. "Can" hooks shall not be used for raising or lowering barrel, drum, or other container of explosives. Metal bale hooks shall not be used in handling packages of explosives. Transfer trucks equipped with "electric motor" means of propulsion shall not be used in handling any high explosive, low explosive, black powder or smokeless powder. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A-18. Chute Used in Loading or Unloading Explosives: The incline of the chute to be used in loading or unloading explosives shall be such that the velocity of the packages sliding will not be great enough to cause violent shock when coming in contact with the other packages, on the chute or when reaching the bottom of chute. If otherwise, men shall be stationed alongside the chute to retard and control the velocity of the packages. Chutes shall be carefully wiped down with waste moistened with machine oil when packages of explosives are being used. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A–19. Equipment for Loading or Unloading Explosives: Before explosives are loaded or unloaded from a vessel the master or other person in charge of the vessel shall be required to ascertain by examination the condition and working of all slings, crates, baskets, boxes, chutes, mattresses, tackle and other equipment to be used in the transfer operation. Any and all equipment which in the judgment of the master or other person in charge of the vessel is not in safe working condition shall be rejected and the master or such other person shall prohibit its use and take such precautions as he may deem necessary to be certain such rejected equipment is not used for the purpose of loading or unloading explosives. The master or other person in charge of the vessel shall keep watch of all equipment used during the transfer of explosives and if any part of the equipment shows any defect or is damaged in use, work shall be stopped and the damaged or defective equipment repaired or replaced before permitting the loading or unloading to continue. This inspection of cargo working equipment shall apply to the vessel's equipment and to stevedore or other contractor's equipment. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A-20. Lights, Firearms, Matches, Cigarette Lighters, Bale Hooks, Oily Rags, Metallic Tools, Footwear: No artificial light except electric lights or electric lamps or flood lights shall be used while loading or unloading explosives. Flashlights of a non-spark type shall be provided by the vessel owner or operator for persons required to enter holds in which explosives are stowed. Members of the crew of the vessel and other persons permitted on board the vessel to aid and assist in loading or unloading explosives shall not be permitted to have or carry on their persons firearms, matches, cigarette lighters, bale hooks, oily rags, or metallic tools. No person engaged in loading or unloading Class A dangerous or Class B less dangerous explosives (except fireworks) shall wear boots or shoes shod or strengthened with iron nails or metal, unless such boots or shoes are covered with rubber, leather, felt or some such non-sparking material. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A-21. Fires on Docks, Lighters, or Vessels: No unnecessary fire shall be permitted on docks, lighters or vessels, while loading or unloading explosives. Fires deemed necessary must be properly safeguarded and left in constant charge of some competent person assigned for that purpose by the master for the entire period of cargo transfer. A line of fire hose of sufficient length to cover the area of loading or unloading operations and connected with an adequate water supply shall be laid ready for use. (See note following Regulation 88.A−11.) REGULATION 88.A-22. Smoking Prohibited: Smoking is prohibited on or near any vessel loading or unloading explosives. "NO SMOKING" warning signs shall be posted during operations of loading or unloading such cargo. "NO SMOKING" signs shall be located on the pier at a safe distance from the vessel when such loading or unloading is taking place at a pier. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) REGULATION 88.A-23. Persons under Influence of Liquor or Drugs: No person who, in the judgment of the master or other person in charge of the vessel, may be considered as being under the influence of liquor or drugs, shall be permitted on board a vessel while loading or unloading or transporting explosives. (See note following Regulation 88.A-11.) |