Prepare and maintain the operational condition of work boats

This standard covers the preparation and maintenance of the operational condition work boats.
You must carry out the necessary checks and maintenance, as well as ensure that the work boat is safe and ready for use. In addition, you must recognise and deal with any faults or problems that arise prior to the operation of the work boat.

The standard is for all rivers, coasts and waterways workers who use work boats for carrying out activities such as maintenance, inspection and transportation.

1. prepare the work boat by carrying out pre-use checks and maintenance, in accordance with the relevant legal, manufacturers' and organisational requirements
2. check that on-board equipment, including safety equipment, is safe, in good working order and accessible
3. identify any faults in the operational condition of the work boat and rectify these, within your area of responsibility
4. refer faults and problems that are outside your responsibility to the relevant person in accordance with organisational requirements
5. confirm that the work boat is in a safe operating condition and suitable for the work requirement
6. carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
7. complete the records as required by the relevant legislation and your organisation

1. the required pre-use checks and maintenance procedures for work boats
2. the relevant legal requirements for the preparation and use of work equipment
3. the manufacturers' instructions and specifications for engine and equipment maintenance of the work boat
4. the requirements for checking and maintaining on-board equipment, including safety equipment
5. the types of faults and problems that may occur with the operational condition of the work boat, including engine faults, damage to the vessel and missing equipment, and the required action in relation to these
6. the limits of your responsibility for rectifying faults and other problems
7. the organisational procedures for reporting faults and problems
8. the relevant legal and organisational requirements for the safe handling and storage of fuel and lubricants
9. the relevant legislation and organisational requirements associated with the use of work boats
10. your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and policies of your organisation
11. the legal requirements and those of your organisation for the completion and storage of records

Checks and maintenance procedures:

• safety checks
• engine checks
• engine maintenance
• condition of vessel

Equipment:

• safety equipment
• operational equipment

Waterways:

• navigable water
• lakes
• canals
• reservoirs
• locks