Description

The Shipboard Safety Officer serves as the key point of contact for all occupational health and safety matters on board. While the position is advisory and does not carry the company’s ultimate legal responsibility, it plays a crucial role in identifying hazards, promoting safety awareness, and supporting a safe working environment for the crew. 

Although the responsibilities may appear challenging, this book offers clear, practical guidance to help Safety Officers carry out their duties confidently and effectively. 

It covers the criteria for selecting a suitable Safety Officer, outlines relevant IMO regulations, and explains the structure of shipboard safety management. Additional topics include fostering a strong safety culture, conducting risk assessments, and investigating and preventing incidents. This is an essential resource for anyone involved in or overseeing onboard safety. 

Contents  

Contents 

1. The Role of the Safety Officer

1.1 Who is the Safety Officer? 

1.2 Principal Duties of the Safety Officer 

1.3 Characteristics of a Good Safety Officer 

2. Background to the Creation of the Role

2.1 International Safety Management (ISM) Code and Safety Culture 

2.2 ILO 

2.3 International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Safety Management and Safety Culture 

2.4 Health, Safety and Environmental Policy 

2.5 The Employer 

2.6 Competent Person 

3. The Safety Organisation Onboard Ship

3.1 Shipboard Safety Organisation 

4. Safety Culture

4.1 Communication Shipboard Safety Officer Notes 

4.2 Motivation 

4.3 Role of Communication and Motivation in Shipboard Safety 

4.4 Creating a Safety Culture 

5. Risk Assessment

5.1 Legal Requirements for Risk Assessment 

5.2 Task Selection 

5.3 Hazard Identification (HazID) 

5.4 Evaluating Hazards and Assessing Risks 

5.5 Controlling the Risks and Action Plan 

5.6 Permit to Work (PTW) System 

5.7 Checklists 

5.8 Documentation for Risk Assessment 

5.9 Risk Assessment – The Simplified Steps 

6. Incident Investigation and Prevention

6.1 Incident Investigation 

6.2 Investigation Process 

6.3 Investigation Steps 

6.4 Interpreting the Facts 

6.5 Report Writing 

6.6 Initiating Corrective Actions 

6.7 Authorities to whom Reports are Sent 

Appendix 1 – Codes and Legislation 

Appendix 2 – MAIB Incident Report Form and MGN 289 

Glossary of Main Terms 

Acronyms and Abbreviations 

References 

Bibliography