Changes to the operational strategy presented in the Scientific Prospectus require approval. This is primarily for safety considerations and pertains mainly to relocating a site, operating in a new site not previously identified, or drilling deeper than previously approved. These requests should be forwarded to Jack Baldauf, Deputy Director of Science Operations at TAMU. If Jack is not available, contact Tom Davies, Manager of Science Services (see the list of ODP/TAMU contact names and numbers in Table T2). Approval must also be obtained before deviating from the clearance approved document. Any changes to the Scientific Prospectus can be only effected with the approval of the SCICOM and/or the Safety Panel through communication with ODP management.
Federal contractors and grant recipients are required to maintain drug-free workplaces by adhering to certain requirements. The act specifically prohibits the "unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance" in the workplace.
Failure to comply could result in the loss of government funding and/or impoundment of the ship.
This policy, as well as the prohibition of alcoholic beverages and firearms, is fully endorsed by the Ocean Drilling Program and Transocean because it contributes to safety throughout the ship. Policies that enhance the safety of operations at sea and of the participating personnel are non-negotiable.
These policies are posted on board the vessel, common knowledge to those who routinely sail on the ship, and distributed in the package of briefing material that is provided to all shipboard scientists.
The Staff Scientist or Kim Johnson with IODP Human Resources can answer questions on this policy (johnson@iodp.tamu.edu).
The employment and educational environment throughout the Texas A&M University System shall be free from all forms of sexual discrimination and sexual harassment. Conduct constituting sexual harassment is specifically prohibited and will result in appropriate sanctions. Sexual harassment, as defined below, is a Class A misdemeanor under Texas Law, and is directly applicable to activities on this vessel.
Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; or other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, submission to which is made a condition of a person's exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege, power, or immunity, either explicitly or implicitly.
In relation to the foregoing, sexual harassment may range from unthinking and often unintentional verbal denigration of a person on the basis of gender to actual physical assault. Some examples that may constitute sexual harassment include offensive sexual flirtations, advances, or pressure for sexual activity; unwanted touching, pinching, or unnecessary brushes; unwanted exposure to sexual graffiti, photographs, or suggestive objects; sexual innuendoes or statements made at inappropriate times or disguised as humor, or obscene gestures; disparaging remarks about one's gender; or any offensive or abusive physical contact.
To deal promptly and fairly with charges of sexual harassment and to protect the and dignity of all individuals involved, each Texas A&M University System component will establish and give wide publicity to a rule for filing a complaint. Such rules shall facilitate and encourage reporting, and shall assure timely investigation, resolution, and appropriate sanctions against persons found to have violated this policy. Complainants should know that the reporting of allegations of sexual harassment is a very serious matter and that steps will be taken to resolve complaints.
Retaliatory action of any kind is prohibited when taken against a witness or other person providing testimony, or against the complainant seeking redress under the applicable rules dealing with sexual harassment. Such retaliatory action shall be regarded as a separate and distinct cause for complaint.
If you believe that sexual harassment has occurred or it has been brought to your attention, please contact the Staff Scientist, Operations Manager, and/or Kim Johnson with ODP Human Resources at johnson@odpemail.tamu.edu.
Use of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances is forbidden. In 1988 the U.S. Government enacted the Drug-Free Workplace Act, which contains a requirement for federal contractors and grant recipients to maintain drug-free workplaces by adhering to certain requirements. The act specifically prohibits the "unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance" in the workplace. Workplace is defined as all areas of the vessel. Failure to comply with this law may result in loss of government funding. Accordingly, ODP relies upon the integrity, professional attitude, and good judgment of all cruise participants to refrain from engaging in these types of activities.
It is the policy of the ODP not to interrupt or alter the course of a cruise for the purpose of evacuating an ODP employee or a cruise participant in the event of a personal emergency on shore. Personal emergencies include but are not limited to a death in the family or the serious illness of a family member. Exceptions to this policy may be made at the discretion of the ODP/TAMU Director or Deputy Director. An exception would be based in part on the location of the ship, availability of resources for evacuation, and the nature of the emergency.
Personnel are prohibited from going aloft in the derrick because of safety issues.
The scientific work of the JOIDES Resolution takes her to areas where immediate assistance is unavailable. Thus, it is necessary to rely upon the knowledge and experience of the ship's crew to avoid potentially dangerous situations. This is done in a systematic way developed through the practice of weekly drills. These drills are required by law, and the ship takes pride in the serious manner in which they are organized and executed. Fire drills, man overboard drills, and abandon ship drills are held at least once weekly; attendance is mandatory. Helicopter emergency drills are held less frequently. Procedures and details connected with these drills are explained at the first drill, held a few hr out of port.
Hard hats and safety glasses must be worn by all ODP and Transocean personnel when outside on catwalks, rig floor, or aft decks (on the way to the helipad or underway geophysics laboratory, for example).
Firearms or other weapons cannot be transported or possessed.
Discovery of a fire or a similar dangerous situation should be reported to the bridge immediately. Do not try to combat the fire, but stand by to aid or point out the area involved to the Emergency Squad as they arrive. If the participant judges that using an extinguisher on a fire at its inception might help, this may be done only after notification of the bridge. After the Emergency Squad has taken control, participants should report to their assigned emergency station.
The shipboard computer facility is protected by a Halon fire extinguisher system, located in the Koomey room on the upper 'tween deck. This system protects the computer machine room, System Manager's office, and computer user's area. Only the Captain may authorize manual activation of the Halon system in the event of a fire. A loud alarm sounds, and protected areas must be evacuated immediately and all doors tightly closed. Halon is nontoxic but it must be contained within the air-tight protected area to be effective. As in all emergency situations, the bridge must be notified immediately.
The JOIDES Resolution is equipped with four motor-propelled, self-contained, totally enclosed lifeboats, each with a capacity of 56 persons. The boats contain oxygen breathing systems to be used when operating in a fire area. There is also a complete exterior water-spray system to prevent buildup of excessive interior temperatures. Lifeboats are located above the bridge deck, two each on port and starboard. They are launched and boarded from the fo'c'sle deck. In addition to the lifeboats, the ship has inflatable life rafts.
Lifeboat assignments and emergency signals are posted in passageways and personnel stations. This information must be thoroughly and carefully read; the Chief Mate or Captain can answer any questions.
Life jackets are worn during every boat drill by all persons. Regulation-type life jackets are kept aboard for all personnel. They are stored in each cabin and near each lifeboat. Immersion suits are also stored in each cabin and in the labstack.
Personnel not directly involved in dealing with an emergency are to report to their assigned stations immediately upon hearing an alarm. This facilitates assignment of additional help or directing abandon-ship procedures. Depending on the severity of an emergency, the Captain may call upon any or all hands aboard for assistance; therefore, everyone must be ready to respond to any order the Captain or ship's officers may issue in a drill or real emergency.
There are different emergency alarms to signify unsafe conditions aboard ship:
• General Emergencies: For a general emergency, such as a fire or collision, the general alarm and ship's whistle sound for at least 10 s and instructions describing the type of emergency and location are given over the public address system.In the interest of preventing accidents, it is requested that while on site all persons not directly connected with drilling operations stay off the rig floor. For those who are not familiar with the machinery and its operation or who do not take proper precaution, crossing the rig floor while pipe operations are in progress can be extremely hazardous. The driller and his team are operating equipment that handles loads of over 300 tons under dynamic conditions and that is unforgiving of error. The driller is responsible for the safety of everyone on the rig floor; a lapse in concentration on the driller's part could easily result in a serious or fatal accident to a visitor or crew member. It could also cause a "wreck" with disastrous consequences to the equipment, drill string, or even the voyage.
The following guidelines must be observed:
• Hard hat and safety glasses are required outside the deck house and labstack areas; safety shoes are required on the rig floor and around machinery or moving loads.Smoking is permitted only in nondangerous areas and is never allowed where "No Smoking" signs are posted. Smoking is permitted in the living quarters only where signs are posted stating it is a "designated smoking area."