Marine Working Conditions

All marine positions have essential functions that personnel must be able to perform, minimum physical
capacities and requirements that all personnel must meet, and working
conditions that may be considered hazardous.

Essential Functions

• Work at least 8 hours per
  day and, at times in excess of 12 hours per day, 7 days per week.
• Work at sea for three to five
  months continuously.
• Live and work in cramped quarters,
  frequently in bad weather and with violent ship motion.
• Pass examinations for visual
  acuity, color sense, and hearing as established in Title 46 CFR Parts
  10 and 12, and pass a physical evaluation as described in the enclosed
  Navigation and Vessel Inspection Articles 6-89.
• Climb steep and vertical ladders,
  and enter and exit compartments through hatches, doors, and sills up to
  two feet high.
• Participate in emergency drills
  and in launching lifeboats and life rafts.
• Perform physical labor, climb
  and handle moderate weights and equipment over 50 pounds.

Physical Capabilities/Requirements

Physical Capability	Example of Essential Function
Balance	Work in confined and unstable areas.
Bend, kneel, squat	Clean, maintain, and inspect equipment.
Climb	Reach work areas, equipment and stores by ladder and stairs.
Crawl	Crawl through bilge pockets, and under ladders and winch beds.
Feel	Touch objects: where sight is limited.
Finger	Manipulate nuts, bolts, tools, and cleaning gear.
Handle	Handle equipment and stores with sure grip.
Hear, talk	Communicate with people.
Lift, carry	Load stores over 50 pounds.
Push, pull	Move equipment over 50 pounds.
Reach	Up, over, and under equipment and stores.
See	Read labels, menus, logs, charts, and gauges in poor lighting.
Sit	Operate crane, Avon, lifeboat, and life raft.
Stand	Work on equipment.
Walk	Perform rounds at sea.
Write	Maintain logs.

Working Conditions

Work Condition	Example of Hazardous Area/Duty
Confined areas	Store rooms, engine spaces, and tanks
Potential allergens and irritants	Fuels, solvents, cleaners, dust, fumes, smoke, and gases
Adverse weather	On deck in rough seas during equipment maintenance
Extreme temperatures	On deck in tropics and high latitudes; in engine room
Potential hazards	Being at sea; slippery and uneven surfaces; moving parts and objects; climbing ladders; and working aloft
Noise	Constant and loud engine room noise, blowers, exhaust fans
Schedule	Protracted and irregular working hours
Vibrations	Ship's engines and chipping hammer