The Seafarers Hospital Society (SHS) and MarinePALS have collaborated to offer a series of six physiotherapy videos, titled ‘Fit and Healthy at Sea,’ which include exercises intended to help reduce the risk of common injuries among seafarers, to help prevent work-related injuries and bolster musculoskeletal health.
Designed as a preventative toolkit, these exercises proactively reduce exposure to common injuries and help minimise crew absence and turnover due to injury — supporting both seafarers and ship operators in maintaining safe and resilient workplaces.
The ‘Fit and Healthy at Sea’ videos were designed and performed by a licensed physiotherapist based on data gathered by SHS through their extensive history of providing free physiotherapy services to seafarers of all nationalities working in UK territorial waters. This data-led approach revealed specific muscle groups that were more susceptible to repetitive strain injuries or stiffness caused by static postures for long periods of time.
Captain Pradeep Chawla, CEO of MarinePALS, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting maritime professionals in both their careers and overall well-being. He noted that the partnership with SHS to provide free physiotherapy videos aligns with this commitment. Drawing from his own extensive experience at sea, Chawla acknowledged the physical challenges that crew members often face, such as long hours, repetitive tasks, physically demanding labor, and limited space.
Injuries come not only with joint pain, discomfort or muscle damage, but also carry the risk of impacting a seafarer’s mental health with concerns about their finances, ability to work and the effect on their career. Ship operators, already facing crew shortages for particular positions, are also left vulnerable and short-staffed under these conditions.
”By ensuring we have the resources available to minimise workplace injury, we can collaboratively ensure better musculoskeletal health and improved safety at sea and on shore.” Capt Chawla added.
SAFETY4SEA Team met Capt. Chawla during Posidonia 2024 for an exclusive interview, where he discussed about the future of maritime training. View the video interview here.
Sandra Welch, CEO of the Seafarers Hospital Society, said; ” Proactively improving seafarer musculoskeletal health not only has the benefit of reducing the risk of physical workplace injuries, but also can contribute to positive company culture by demonstrating an investment in crew health and wellbeing.”
Employers who proactively prioritise the health and safety of seafarers gain reputational benefits, which can help with recruitment and retention efforts while also contributing to ESG values.
Sandra Welch also commented that the aim of SHS is to make physiotherapy resources such as ‘Fit and Healthy at Sea’ more accessible to help prevent injuries and improve the well-being of seafarers. By collaborating with various eLearning platforms, including Ocean Technologies Group and now MarinePALS, the goal is to extend the reach of these resources, providing more seafarers with the necessary tools to maintain their health and prevent injuries. The videos are available at the Seafarers Hospital Society website and via MarinePALS’ platform.
Do you know?
In 2020, the BSEE determined Musculoskeletal Disorders to be the leading cause of nonfatal occupational injuries, with 157,290 cases attributed to strains alone!
There are risk factors causing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in many types of work, so you should think about the risks of various tasks, depending on the work you do:
-bending, crouching or stooping
-lifting heavy or bulky loads
-pushing, pulling or dragging heavy loads
-stretching, twisting and reaching
-repetitive work, particularly using the same hand or arm action
-sustained or excessive force
-carrying out a task for a long time
-work with display screen equipment
-working with hand-held power tools for a long time
-driving heavy vehicles, long-distance driving or driving over rough ground
