Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Monday, August 8, 2022
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    parametric rolling

    IG Clubs: Update to Roll Risk Estimator

    one Marine Safety and Quality Campaign

    ONE to launch Marine Safety and Quality Campaign

    fire at cuban petroleum terminal

    One dead, 17 missing after fire at Cuban petroleum terminal

    cruise ship grounded

    Cruise ship grounded off Norway

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    sigtto gas carriers

    SIGTTO: How to measure CO2 emissions from gas carriers

    lng carriers

    SIGTTO: How to detect fugitive methane emissions from LNG carriers

    mfm in rotterdam antwerp

    50 players urge for Mandatory Mass Flow Meters in Rotterdam, Antwerp

    port of london shore power

    Port of London to launch shore power system in 2023

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    abs metadata

    How to create and use metadata

    Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering

    Japanese partners create program to promote digital engineering for maritime

    dcsa

    DCSA, European Shippers’ Council collaborate to increase adoption of DCSA standards

    internet onboard

    Top 5 services companies provide for seafarers’ personal use onboard

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    inpex dsme

    INPEX makes $970m damages claim against DSME

    singapore illegal transaction of MGO

    Singapore arrests ten men for alleged involvement in illegal transaction of MGO

    us sanctions

    US sanctions Turkish port over alleged connection with Russia

    glencore bunkering license

    MPA Singapore temporary suspends Glencore’s bunkering licence

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    black grain initiative

    Two more vessels allowed through Black Sea Grain Initiative corridor

    mfm in rotterdam antwerp

    50 players urge for Mandatory Mass Flow Meters in Rotterdam, Antwerp

    port of london shore power

    Port of London to launch shore power system in 2023

    quah ley hoon

    Quah Ley Hoon to step down as MPA Singapore’s chief executive

  • Columns
    undewater noise

    Port of Vancouver: Slowing ships down supports healthier ecosystems

    human sustainability

    Wilhelmsen: Competence is vital for industry’s sustainability

    WEF: Decarbonization offers opportunities for new green jobs and trade transition

    WEF: Decarbonization offers opportunities for new green jobs and trade transition

    Trending Tags

    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    parametric rolling

    IG Clubs: Update to Roll Risk Estimator

    one Marine Safety and Quality Campaign

    ONE to launch Marine Safety and Quality Campaign

    fire at cuban petroleum terminal

    One dead, 17 missing after fire at Cuban petroleum terminal

    cruise ship grounded

    Cruise ship grounded off Norway

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    sigtto gas carriers

    SIGTTO: How to measure CO2 emissions from gas carriers

    lng carriers

    SIGTTO: How to detect fugitive methane emissions from LNG carriers

    mfm in rotterdam antwerp

    50 players urge for Mandatory Mass Flow Meters in Rotterdam, Antwerp

    port of london shore power

    Port of London to launch shore power system in 2023

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    abs metadata

    How to create and use metadata

    Maritime and Ocean Digital Engineering

    Japanese partners create program to promote digital engineering for maritime

    dcsa

    DCSA, European Shippers’ Council collaborate to increase adoption of DCSA standards

    internet onboard

    Top 5 services companies provide for seafarers’ personal use onboard

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    inpex dsme

    INPEX makes $970m damages claim against DSME

    singapore illegal transaction of MGO

    Singapore arrests ten men for alleged involvement in illegal transaction of MGO

    us sanctions

    US sanctions Turkish port over alleged connection with Russia

    glencore bunkering license

    MPA Singapore temporary suspends Glencore’s bunkering licence

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    black grain initiative

    Two more vessels allowed through Black Sea Grain Initiative corridor

    mfm in rotterdam antwerp

    50 players urge for Mandatory Mass Flow Meters in Rotterdam, Antwerp

    port of london shore power

    Port of London to launch shore power system in 2023

    quah ley hoon

    Quah Ley Hoon to step down as MPA Singapore’s chief executive

  • Columns
    undewater noise

    Port of Vancouver: Slowing ships down supports healthier ecosystems

    human sustainability

    Wilhelmsen: Competence is vital for industry’s sustainability

    WEF: Decarbonization offers opportunities for new green jobs and trade transition

    WEF: Decarbonization offers opportunities for new green jobs and trade transition

    Trending Tags

    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

UK MCA updates Code of Safe Working Practices

by The Editorial Team
December 3, 2019
in Seafarers
back pain

Above image is used for illustration purposes only

FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has updated its Code of safe working practices for merchant seafarers (COSWP) 2019, which was firstly published on 4 September 2015.

The Code of Safe Working Practices (COSWP) Code details the regulatory framework for health and safety on board, safety management and statutory duties underlying the advice in the Code and the areas that should be covered when introducing a recruit to the safety procedures on board, aspiring to provide guidance on improving health and safety on vessels and also articulates how statutory obligations should be fulfilled, aiming mainly for merchant seafarers on UK-registered ships.

GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!

MCA further stresses that the Code is addressed to everyone on a ship regardless of rank or rating, and to those ashore responsible for safety, because the recommendations can be effective only if they are understood by all and if everyone cooperates in their implementation.

It is said that occupational health and safety risks may lead to death, permanent disability, temporary disability or reduced work capability. Occupational health and safety risks may arise from work-related hazards or from the general living and working conditions on board, sometimes referred to as ambient factors. In cases where some risks are unavoidable, appropriate control measures should be implemented to minimize exposure to hazards that may cause injury, disease or death. Harmful exposure may have short-term or long-term adverse health effects.

RelatedNews

INTERCARGO: Russia-Ukraine agreement should ensure safety of crew

Seafarers Happiness Index, Quarter 2 2022

Moreover, any risks inherent in the working environment must be identified and evaluated in a form of risk assessment, and measures must be taken to remove or minimize those risks and protect seafarers and others from harm.

The MCA highlights that some risks include

  • ambient factors, such as noise, vibration, lighting, ultra-violet light, non-ionising radiation and extreme temperatures;
  • inherent hazards, such as the vessel’s structure, means of access, ergonomic hazards and hazardous materials such as asbestos;
  • hazards arising from work activities, such as work in enclosed spaces, use of equipment and machinery, working on and below deck in adverse weather, dangerous cargo and ballast operations, and exposure to biological hazards or chemicals;
  • health risks, such as fatigue and impacts on mental occupational health; and
  • the emergency and accident response.

What is more, risks from violence in the workplace, tobacco smoking, drug abuse, alcohol misuse and drug or alcohol dependence are covered in this Code.

Many regulations lay down specific requirements for standards of safety, equipment or operations, which must be satisfied to comply with the law. Where there are no specific requirements, the MCA generally considers compliance with the Code as demonstrating that the Company, employer or seafarer did what was reasonable to comply with the regulations. The MCA notes that each situation will be considered and evaluated on an individual basis, adding that

The guidance must never be regarded as superseding or amending regulation, and risk assessment should always be used to ensure that all risks are addressed.

Moreover, the Code provides guidance on safe working practices for many situations that commonly arise on ships, and the basic principles can be applied to many other work situations that are not specifically covered. However, it is noted that  it should not be considered a comprehensive guide to safety and advice should always be considered in conjunction with the findings of the Company’s or employer’s risk assessment, and any information, procedures or working instructions provided by the manufacturer, supplier or any other source should be followed.

The MCA notes that it is the duty of shipowners and employers to protect the health and safety of seafarers and others so far as is reasonably practicable. The principles that should underpin health and safety measures are:

  • the avoidance of risks, which among other things includes the combating of risks at source and the replacement of dangerous practices, substances or equipment by non-dangerous or less dangerous practices, substances or equipment;
  • the evaluation of unavoidable risks and the taking of action to reduce them;
  • the adoption of work patterns and procedures that take account of the capacity of the individual, especially in respect of the design of the workplace and the choice of work equipment, with a view in particular to alleviating monotonous work and to reducing any consequent adverse effect on workers’ health and safety;
  • the adaptation of procedures to take account of new technology and other changes in working practices, equipment, the working environment and any other factors that may affect health and safety;
  • the adoption of a coherent approach to management of the vessel or undertaking, taking account of health and safety at every level of the organization;
  • giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures; and
  • the provision of appropriate and relevant information and instruction for workers.

On their part, seafarers are required to:

  • take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others on board who may be affected by their acts or omissions;
  • cooperate with anyone else carrying out health and safety duties, including compliance with control measures identified during the employer’s or Company’s risk assessment;
  • report any identified serious hazards or deficiencies immediately to the appropriate officer or other responsible person; and
  • make proper use of plant and machinery and treat any hazard to health or safety, such as a dangerous substance with due caution.

More specifically, the report focuses on managing occupational health and safety; safety induction; living on board; emergency drills and procedures; fire precautions; security on board; health surveillance; personal protective equipment; safety signs and their use; manual handling; safe movement on board ship; noise, vibration and other physical agents; safety officials; entering dangerous (enclosed) spaces; hatch covers and access lids; work at height; provision, care and use of work equipment; lifting plant and operations; work on machinery and power systems; hazardous substances and mixtures; boarding arrangements; food preparation and handling in the catering; hot work; painting; anchoring, mooring and towing operations; roll-on/roll-off ferries; dry cargo; tankers and other ships carrying bulk liquid cargoes; port towage industry; ships serving offshore oil and gas installations; ships serving offshore renewables installations as well as ergonomics.

This Code published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is endorsed by the National Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Committee, UK Chamber of Shipping, Nautilus International and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) as best practice guidance for improving health and safety on board ship.

The latest version of the Code of safe working practices for merchant seafarers (COSWP) 2019 can be found bellow.

Tags: regulatory updatereportssafety culturesafety measuressafety violationsseafarer safetyUK MCA

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

parametric rolling

IG Clubs: Update to Roll Risk Estimator

August 8, 2022
sigtto gas carriers

SIGTTO: How to measure CO2 emissions from gas carriers

August 8, 2022
MARITIME EVENTS

RISK4SEA Facts

Did you know that age matters in Tokyo MoU? 130% more on the Detention Rate for Bulk Carriers 20+ vs. 0-5 in 2020.

Learn more risk4sea.com

Explore

  • Safety
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • Events
  • Plus

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Contact

© 2021 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Alerts
    • Accidents
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Reports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Opinions
    • Career Paths
    • Industry Voices
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
  • Events
  • Plus

© 2021 SAFETY4SEA

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Disclaimer.