The Merchant Shipping (Dangerous Goods and Marine Pollutants) Regulations 1997

General duties of operators and employers

6.—(1) It shall be the duty of every operator, every employer of persons aboard a ship and every master of a ship to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, when dangerous goods are being handled, stowed or carried on the ship nothing in the manner in which those goods are handled, stowed or carried as the case may be is such as might create a significant risk to the health and safety of any person.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the operator's, employer’s or master’s duty under paragraph (1) the matters to which the duty of the operator and of the employer extends shall include in particular:

(a)the provision and maintenance of ship’s structure, fittings and equipment for the handling, stowage and carriage of dangerous goods.

(b)the provision of such information, instruction, training and supervision to all employees in connection with the handling, stowage and carriage of dangerous goods in the ship.

(3) If an employer, operator or master fails to comply with paragraphs (1) and (2) he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level five on the standard scale.

(4) It shall be a defence to a charge under this regulation in relation to the handling of dangerous goods that such handling was carried out in accordance with appropriate provisions of the IMO Recommendations.