Gap Analysis

Gap analysis is an evaluation, risk identification and enrichment of the IHM. 

IHM Gap analysis survey is carried out at the ship recycling facility (SRF) after the vessel is landed. It is additional sampling and testing of hazards undertaken to ensure that no potential hazardous materials are ignored, missed, or the areas that may be opened or exposed during recycling are sampled and tested for confirmation.

Many of the areas cannot be sampled when the vessel is sailing due to operational constraints and inaccessibility of areas, for example, the high-tension cables, running parts of engine room machinery etc. In the case of dead ships, it is vital as, during a few days survey, all the documents can’t be located onboard for review by IHM surveyors. During recycling, many areas are exposed, including large and small parts/equipment that pose a potential hazard to ship recycling facility workers, class surveyors and others. 

The idea is to isolate the hazards mentioned in the IHM Report and IHM maintenance reports as found throughout the vessel. For example, suppose if all the paint is mentioned as containing heavy metals by just taking a few samples, then, in that case, it could be verified by sampling surrounding areas at strategic locations in the visually similar coated area to isolate the hazard. Additionally, the PCHM items are sampled and tested; samples are collected from the sites that have only been visually inspected.