Safety Officer1
Safety Officer1
Safety Officer1
Manual MMP-SEM-0404 00 1 of 5
1. Objective
The objective of this procedure is to promote the establishment of a safety culture on board by appointing a Safety
Officer and defining his responsibilities and authorities.
2. Scope
The company is responsible for ensuring the overall safety of the ship through preparation of the safety
management system, and the provision of adequate time and resources for its proper implementation.
The Master has the day-to-day responsibility for the safe operation of the ship and the safety of all persons on
board. This is achieved by his overseeing the implementation of the SMS.
Heads of Department are responsible for health and safety in their own departments.
Each individual worker is responsible for his own health and safety and that of anyone affected by what he does or
fails to do.
The Master shall appoint the Chief Officer as the Safety Officer. The master must record the appointment of a
safety officer - this should be in the official logbook.
b. He should be familiar with the principles and practice of risk assessment and should be able to advise those
that have a need to prepare them.
c. He should be on the lookout for any potential hazards and the means of preventing incidents.
d. These should be communicated to the various Department Heads directly for their information and action.
The Master should also be informed.
e. During his routine rounds, he should endeavour to carry out an audit on a random task and ensure that
system procedures complied with.
f. A part of his duties is to ensure that all Officers and Crew joining the Ship are suitably familiarised. In
addition, the familiarisation should address the Permit to Work system, Lock-out and Tag-out Procedures
and the correct and effective use of P.P.E (Personal Protective Equipment).
SEM Document Number Revision Page
Manual MMP-SEM-0404 00 2 of 5
He should pay particular attention to the familiarisation of persons who are out at sea for the first time.
Where possible, he should ensure that arrangements are made for the new entrant to work with a
crewmember that is experienced and has a good sense of safety awareness.
He should promote the onboard safety culture under the Master’s supervision by:
a. Discussing and reviewing Safety Training Videos with the crewmembers to highlight learning
points.
b. Holding meetings with the crewmembers to discuss incident reports and the lessons that should be
taken from it.
c. Discussing safety bulletins to effectively communicate the message and to ensure correct
understanding.
d. Encouraging the participation of all personnel in the UAUC/PO program with guidance and
assistance as required.
Carry out an inspection of the Personal Protective Equipment in use by personnel on a monthly basis. Any
defective P.P.E should be replaced. In addition, an inventory of the spare P.P.E should be taken and any shortfall
replenished.
Investigate near misses, accidents or dangerous incidents with a view to establishing the causes and thereafter, the
appropriate corrective measures to prevent recurrence.
Assist the Master in maintaining a record of all accidents and incidents. Investigate potential hazards to Health
and Safety and any reasonable complaints made by personnel.
Carry out Health and Safety Inspections of all accessible parts of the ship at least once every three months, or
more frequently if there have been substantial changes in the conditions of work. A logbook should be maintained
to record the conduct of the inspections, noting also the findings and applicable mitigations, if any.
Finally, the Safety Officer has a duty to stop any work, which he reasonably believes may cause an accident
resulting in injury to a crewmember, or damage to the ship or its equipment and thereafter immediately inform the
Master.
This list is intended only as a reminder. Look for other unsafe acts and conditions, and then report them so that corrective
action can be taken. Note particularly whether unsafe acts or conditions that have caused accidents have been corrected.
Note, also whether potential accident causes marked (X) on previous inspection have been corrected.
Cross or Tick only the Process-Practice / Activity / Equipment Condition - Status etc. that you have had the opportunity
to observe, participate in, and inspector that you would like to comment on during your department safety meeting.
Good points noted by you, during your period as observer may also be highlighted during the department safety meeting.
Please use the space provided at the end of this check sheet to note your comments in brief.
() Indicates: Satisfactory (x) indicates: Unsatisfactory
HOUSE-KEEPING:
Built-in tripping hazards painted conspicuously Paint lockers and Storerooms free of paint
(yellow or tiger stripe), ladder top and bottom steps covered or oil-soaked rags – rags and jute/cotton
- bitt tops – thresholds, other protrusions along waste stowed in proper containers or packaging.
walkways etc. Workshops neat and tidy. Flooring free of metal
Non-Skid surfaces maintained, - steering flat, turnings and filings from lathe or drill machines.
emergency steering position, pilot station to Tools properly stowed and worktable not
accommodation, forward and aft mooring station cluttered with items not in use.
area and at warping drum positions. Unguarded openings cordoned off and secured
Storeroom – Provision store – Cold rooms, Steering with safety rope / rails.
gear flat gratings level and in good repair. Insides of Fire Station, CO2 Room, Foam Room,
Escape routes, Hatches, Trunks, Ladders – Clear of etc. clear of rags, buckets and all other gear.
trash, etc. Proper storage and use of chemicals.
Storage and Securing of materials satisfactory - Availability of first responder treatment
heavy equipment / spares in engine room, etc. information.
Lighting and Ventilation satisfactory. Makeshift electrical plugs, sockets in use -
Ship's waste disposal practice satisfactory. unprotected jury fittings, etc.
Walkways about the ship well lighted. Provisions Cold room alarm.
Engine room floor plates/chequered plates intact
and no possibility of injury to persons. BULLETIN - BOARDS:
Laundry / Drying rooms - fire hazards. Notice boards neat and attractive.
Displays changed regularly.
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SEM Document Number Revision Page
Manual MMP-SEM-0404 00 4 of 5
(Page 2 of 3)
Notes:
_____________________________ __________________________
Name of Safety Observer Signature & Date
Notes:
1. Vessels are encouraged to generate their own ship specific check sheet for use on board.
2. Prior making use of this sheet, please review and delete items not applicable to your ship type.
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