Health and safety requirements for seafarers under 18

The Republic of Marshall Islands issued a circular citing requirements for shipboard occupational health and safety programs (SOHSP) and informing of restrictions on work that is considered hazardous to seafarers under 18 years old,  in accordance with MLC Convention (2006).

SOHSP

• Shipowners must ensure that seafarers are provided with occupational health protection and live, work, and train onboard vessels in a safe and hygienic environment.
• A SOHSP forms part of the SMS. When implementing, improving, or auditing the effectiveness of SOHSP, shipowners or operators must take into account IMO Circular MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.3, Guidelines on the basic elements of a shipboard occupational health and safety programme.

Seafarers under 18 years old

• The SOHSP must address the safety and health of young seafarers and restrict hazardous work for those under 18 years old.
• It is prohibited to engage a seafarer under 18 years old in employment or work that is considered hazardous.
• Hazardous activities must be determined by the shipowner or ship operator in the development of the SOHSP. Potentially hazardous activities include, but are not limited to:

1. The lifting, moving or carrying of heavy loads or objects;
2. Entry into boilers, tanks and cofferdams;
3. Exposure to hot work;
4. Exposure to harmful noise and vibration levels;
5. Operating hoisting (lifting gear) and other power machinery and tools, or acting as signalers to equipment operators;
6. Handling mooring or tow lines or anchoring equipment;
7. Rigging;
8. Working aloft or on deck in heavy weather;
9. Nightwatch duties;
10. Servicing of electrical equipment;
11. Exposure to potentially harmful materials or physical agents, such as dangerous or toxic substances, and ionizing radiations;
12. Considering the hazardous materials codes on a vessel-specific basis,
13. Cleaning catering machinery; and
14. Handling ship’s boats or commanding them.

[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]

• Prior to employment, a seafarer under 18 years old must be assessed for their competency to perform tasks or jobs. They must also receive an explanation for all procedures and safe working practices in a “walk-through”. Pre-job training must be given if they do not have or cannot demonstrate the required competencies.
• Young seafarers must also be given age-appropriate information about accident prevention and health protection on board ships. This should include the harmful effects of alcohol, drugs, potentially harmful substance abuse, HIV-AIDS risks and related concerns, and other health-related activities.
• Instruction courses, written materials, professional instruction, and supervision are some recommended means to provide health and safety information to young seafarers.