A ship as a workplace is comprised of several specific types of workspaces. To ensure that work is carried out safely, certain basic ergonomic requirements should be adhered to in order to prevent seafarers from working for long periods in awkward positions such as on their knees, with arms and shoulders raised or with back and/or neck bent, or from repeating these postures and movements frequently.
In that regard, the shipowner should develop a risk assessment of working duties, both while work is performed and also during planning. Risk assessments should include an evaluation of the equipment and other technical aids applied.
The shipowner may delegate this responsibility to the master, with the active participation of the safety and security. The ship’s master should ensure that:
- the shipowner’s OSH policy and programme is implemented on board ship and clearly communicated to all crew (ISM Code);
- a positive safety culture exists on the ship, including reasonable precautions and continuous safety improvement to prevent occupational accidents, injuries and diseases on board ship;
- seafarers are encouraged to participate actively and express their views on safe and healthy working conditions and risk assessments, without fear of dismissal or other prejudicial measures;
- work is planned, carried out and supervised so as to minimize the possibility of accidents, injuries or diseases;
- seafarers are assigned only to work to which they are suited by age, state of health and skills, and no seafarer under the age of 18 is assigned inappropriate duties;
- appropriate notices and instructions are issued in a clear and easily understood manner, in a language or languages verified to be understood by the entire crew (MLC-A4.3, Para 7);
- safety equipment, including all emergency and protective equipment, is maintained in good order and stowed properly;
- all statutory drills and musters are conducted realistically, effectively and conscientiously at the required intervals and comply with any applicable rules and regulations;
- practice and training is given in emergency procedures and special emergency equipment usage is demonstrated to the crew at regular intervals;
- operating manuals, vessel plans, national laws and regulations, safety procedures and so on are available to seafarers requiring such information to conduct their work safely;
- one or more safety representatives are appointed or elected, and regular meetings of the safety committee are held on board a ship on which there are five or more seafarers. If such a committee is not required, information on safety and health should be communicated in other ways;
- all seafarers on board as well as the shipowner are informed of the membership of the safety committee, and its members are competent to perform their duties;
- the safety committee is informed of notices issued by both the competent authority and the shipowner related to the safety and health of seafarers; and,
- all accidents or near accidents, injuries and diseases are investigated, recorded and reported in compliance with national laws and regulations and the shipowner’s procedures
