CODE OF SAFE WORKING PRACTICES FOR MERCHANT SEAFARERS

The present Code has been published by the MCA, i.e. Maritime and CoastGuard Agency and endorsed by the NMHOS Committee and other recognized organizations to serve as a guidance to the best established practices for the improvement of the H&S on board ships. The publication is aimed to anyone on a vessel regardless of their rank as well as to the people working ashore and responsible for safety; it shall be taken into account that the recommendations provided in this volume will only be effective if they are fully understood by all parties involved and only if there is due co-operation.

The workers not directly involved in a job in hand shall always be aware of what is actually being done  in order to avoid any sort of risk. In cases where some of the risks are really unavoidable, the appropriate, adequate and effective measures of control shall be implemented so that the exposure to the hazards causing the injuries, diseases or deaths are minimized. These risks would include the ambient factors, inherent hazards, various serious health risks like fatigue and so many other risks, and all of them have been covered in this publication, making it so useful and practical for all people involved in maritime industry and willing to perform their activities in a safe manner.