National Environment Agency and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Licensed and Notified Fumigation Including Vessels

In Singapore, fumigation is regulated by the National Environment Agency (NEA) under the Hydrogen Cyanide (Fumigation) Act 1947 and its Regulations, and only licensed fumigators may carry it out (NEA, n.d.a). NEA’s Code of Practice for Fumigation Personnel covers hydrogen cyanide, methyl bromide and phosphine, and sets out how fumigation is planned, monitored, ventilated and cleared (NEA, 2024). Where a vessel is fumigated, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) adds port-specific conditions (MPA, 2008).

Approach

Licensed fumigators only. To obtain a license, an applicant completes an 18-month apprenticeship with a licensed fumigator, holds medical fitness and first aid certificates, and passes an NEA examination (NEA, n.d.a). Fumigation of vessels must be supervised at all times by a licensed fumigation operator (MPA, 2008).

Plan and notify before work starts. A site-specific Fumigation Management Plan is prepared before each operation, and for enclosures over 1,000 m³ the plan is submitted to the authorities for review in advance. Fumigation permit applications are due at least one working day before fumigation, and the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force must be informed. If a vessel is involved, a copy of the notice (Form D) is delivered to the MPA Port Master (NEA, 2024).

Monitor gas and hold a safe boundary. Fumigant levels in the fumigation area and the surrounding risk area are monitored regularly, and each reading is recorded with its location, time and concentration. At the risk area boundary, levels must stay below 10 percent of the long-term permissible exposure limit, and warning signs are posted in four languages (NEA, 2024).

Supervised ventilation and written clearance. Monitoring continues during ventilation. No one other than fumigation staff may re-enter until a licensed fumigator declares the area safe in writing (Form G), with levels below 10 percent of the long-term exposure limit, and the operation is recorded in Form H (NEA, 2024).

Port-specific controls. In-transit fumigation of vessels is not permitted in Singapore (NEA, 2024). Vessels may not be fumigated during hours of darkness, must display signals and warning notices, and the master must be given details of the fumigation (MPA, 2008).

Results

The Code turns fumigation safety into steps that can be checked: a license, a plan, a notice, monitoring records, a numeric boundary limit and a written clearance (NEA, 2024). Published data on monitoring results or incident rates was not found in the sources reviewed.