Section 31 in The Merchant Shipping (Crew Accommodation) Rules, 1960
31. Hospitals.
(1)Every ship to which these rules apply being a ship (other than a tug) which is intended to be at sea on any occasion for a continuous period of more than 3 days with a crew of 15 or more persons, shall be provided with a space appropriated for use as a permanent hospital for the crew. The space so appropriated shall not at any time be used for any purpose other than for the treatment of sick persons.The Central Government may exempt from the requirement of this sub-rule any ship engaged only on the coasting trade of India.(2)In every other ship to which these rules apply, a room shall be appropriated for use, when necessary, as a temporary hospital. It shall not be used for any purpose other than the treatment of sick persons. The Central Government may exempt any ship sub-rule if it is satisfied that compliance therewith is unnecessary in the circumstances.(3)Every hospital, whether permanent or temporary, shall be situated in a position which will ensure the grated possible quiet and comfort for the patients. The hospital shall be readily accessible, and in case of a ship not carrying a duly qualified medical practitioner or duly qualified nurse exclusively so employed as a member of the crew, shall be so situated as to be easily accessible from the sleeping accommodation of the Master of the ship or of a person appointed by the Master to take charge of the patients. The hospital shall be so situated as to facilitate the proper treatment of patients in all weathers.(4)The minimum width of the entrance to every permanent hospital shall be [76.20 centimetres] [Substituted by G.S.R. 61, dated 6th January, 1967] or as near thereto as is practicable in the circumstances. The hospital shall be so arranged that a stretcher can easily be carried into the hospital and placed alongside at least one single-tier bed therein.(5)The floor-covering in every permanent hospital shall as far as is practicable, be free as is practicable, be free from joints.(6)Every permanent hospital shall include a hospital ward fitted on at least two side scuttles at least 30.5 centimetres in diameter. The side scuttles shall be capable of being opened and of as large a size as is practicable, may be substituted for a side scuttle on one side of the ward. All side scuttles in the hospital, and any sky-light therein which is exposed to the direct rays of the sun shall be provided with curtains, blinds or jalousies. The Central Government may exempt from the requirements of this sub-rule :-(a)any ship of under 1,000 tons;(b)any other ship, if it is satisfied that the permanent hospital therein is fully air-conditioned or served by a trunked mechanical ventilation system.(7)[ (a) In addition to a trunked mechanical ventilation system provided in accordance with rule 12 or an air-conditioning system provided in accordance with 12A, every permanent hospital shall be provided with adequate natural supply and exhaust ventilation to the open air by means of ventilators independent of the ventilators provided for any other space in the ship;] [Substituted by G.S.R. 1390, dated 12th December, 1974]Provided that the Central Government may exempt any ship from this requirement if it is satisfied that compliance therewith is unreasonable or impracticable in the circumstance.(b)In every ship-(i)which does not attract the provisions of rule 12A;(ii)the keel of which was laid or which was at a similar stage of construction on the 1st day of January, 1967; and(iii)which is intended to be employed, whether permanent or temporarily, on voyages to, from or within Persian Gulf area--hospital accommodation shall be provided with air conditioning system. The air-conditioning system provided under this rule shall, as far as practicable, comply with the requirements of sub-rule (2) of rule 12 A.(8)Every permanent hospital shall be provided with an electric fan, unless it is served by a trunked mechanical ventilation system.(9)Any radiators in a permanent hospital shall be installed as far as is practicable from the heads of beds.(10)In addition to the lighting required by rule 11 every permanent hospital shall be provided with a portable electric lamp and with accessories as are necessary.(11)In every ship which is required by this rule to be provided with a permanent hospital, at least one bed shall be provided in a hospital award for every 50, or fraction of 50, members of the crew. The Central Government may exempt from the requirement of this sub-rule any ship carrying more than 300 persons, to the extent that it is satisfied that compliance therewith is unreasonable or impracticable in the circumstances.(12)At least one single-tier bed shall be provided in a ward in every permanent hospital. The bed shall, if practicable, be so arranged as to be accessible from both sides and from the foot,. If any beds in the ward are arranged in double tiers, the upper tier shall be hinged or removable. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this sub-rule, the provision of sub-rules (2) to (9) (a) both inclusive and sub-rule (10) of rule 17 shall apply to hospital beds as they apply to beds in a sleeping room.(13)In every ward in a permanent hospital one of each of the following items of equipment shall be provided for each bed in the hospital ward and shall be within reach of that bed:(a)a locker approximately 30.48 centimetres square by 61.00 centimetres high, and fitted with a flat top and a flat top and a shelf;(b)a water bottle; and(c)a tumble.(14)In every ward in a permanent hospital, the following terms of equipment shall be provided :(a)seats adequate in number, having regard to the number of beds in the ward:(b)a clothes locker additional to that required by sub-rule (13) and complying with the specifications set forth in clause (a) (ii) of sub-rule (1) of rule 18;(c)a box cover which will conceal a bed-pan; and(d)electric bell pushes so arranged as to be within reach of each bed and communicating with the sleeping room of a person in charge of the patients.(15)A wash-basin having a capacity of at least 6.82 litres shall be fitted in every permanent hospital. In ships of 5,000 tons or over a bath at least 1.35 metres in internal length shall be fitted in washing accommodation forming part of the hospital and adjacent to the hospital ward. The wash-basin and bath shall be made of or coated with hygienic and durable durable material having a smooth and impervious surface not likely to crack, flake or become corroded. They shall be fitted with an efficient and hygienic discharge system separate, if practicable, from any other discharge system separate, if practicable from any other discharge system in the ship and in particular the waste pipes shall be fitted in a manner which will facilitate cleaning. A scupper of at least 5.10 centimetres in diameter shall be fitted in the lowest part of any room (other than a ward) which contains such was-basin or bath. The Central Government may exempt any ship from the requirement of a bath in the permanent hospital, if it is satisfied that compliance therewith is unreasonable or impracticable in the circumstances.(16)(a)A water closet pedestal shall be fitted as part of every permanent hospital--(b)The water closet pedestal shall be fitted either in a water closet or in washing accommodation forming part of the hospital.(c)Access to the water closet pedestal (or washing accommodation, as the case may be) shall be obtained directly from the hospital ward or from a lobby forming part of the hospital. The Central Government may exempt any ship from the requirement of this clause if it is satisfied that compliance therewith is impracticable in the circumstances, and that the water closet forming part of the hospital is situated sufficiently near to the ward.(d)The room in which the water closet pedestal is installed shall be provided with a gastight self-closing door unless it is served by a mechanical system of exhaust ventilation, and shall be so constructed as to facilitate cleaning and not to harbour dirt or vermin.(e)Such room shall be ventilated in the manner specified in sub-rule (7) of rule 27 and shall comply with the requirements of sub-rule (9) or (10) of the said rule whichever shall be applicable in the circumstances.(17)The Central Government may exempt any ship of under 500 tons from any of the requirements of this rule.
