COSWP

Question 1

What is COSWP and what can we find in it?

Answer 1

Written by the MCA and updated by the TSO, The Code of Safe Working Practices is intended to give guidance as to how the statutory obligations should be fulfilled.

What’s in the book

• Safety induction.
• Living on board.
• Emergency drills and procedures.
• PPE.
• Safety officials.
• Permit to work.
• Enclosed space entry.
• Work at height.
• Anchoring, mooring and towing operations.

Question 2

The current legislation for health and safety onboard is?
Where can I find guidance on health and safety at work regulations?

Answer 2

SI - 1997 No.2962 Merchant Shipping
The merchant shipping and fishing vessel(Health and Safety at work) Regulations 1997

Can find guidance in MGN 636 - merchant shipping and fishing vessels (health and safety at work) regulations 1997

Question 3

The safety committee must be chaired by whom?

Answer 3

The master

Question 4

Who is responsible for the safety onboard?

Answer 4

The master!
The day to day implementation of many of the specific duties set out in this notice will be delegated to the master! The master in turn may delegate duties but retains overall responsibility onboard.

Question 5

Enclosed space entry, what is the normal oxygen level we require in order to enter?

Answer 5

20.8% oxygen.

Question 6

What are the key terms for a risk assessment?

Answer 6

Likelihood and severity.

Question 7

Which ships does the merchant shipping(health and safety) regulations apply to?

Answer 7

All UK flagged vessels anywhere in the world.
All Non-UK ships cruising in UK waters.

Question 8

What is the general principle of the Safety Officer onboard?

Answer 8

He/she takes an independent view of safety on behalf of the company.

Question 9

Pilot ladder embarkation arrangements!

Answer 9

See diagram.
Spreader bar - min 180cm long
Maximum 9 steps in between spreaders.
Space between ladder rungs = 31-35cm
Width of ladder rungs = 40cm
Side ropes diameter = 18cm

5th step from the bottom must be a spreader.

Question 10

What is the current legislation on Health and Safety? where can you find guidance on the regulations and what are the ket points?

Answer 10

1997 No. 2962 MERCHANT SHIPPING The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997

With guidance on how to apply this SI coming from MGN 636

Key points:

• The shipowner and employer must ensure the health and safety of all seafarers and others working on board (both employed and self-employed).
• A health and safety policy should be in place.
• Risk assessment should underpin all safety measures put in place.
• Employers should provide health surveillance to workers where a risk to their health is identified as a result of their work activities.
• All seafarers must be trained so that they can work safely on board, including familiarisation with on-board equipment and procedures, including emergency procedures.
• The shipowner should consult with those working on the vessel on the health and safety measures on board.
• Each seafarer has a duty to look after their own health and safety and that of others working with them and comply with the measures put in place for their safety.
• Health and safety measures should be provided free of charge to workers.

Question 11

What is the masters responsibility concerning Health and Safety Onboard?

Answer 11

The ship’s Master should ensure that the shipowner’s health and safety policy and procedures are implemented on board ship and clearly communicated to all those working on board. The Master sets the tone for the safety culture on board, and so it is particularly important that they are seen to prioritise health and safety and to encourage others to do the same.

The day to day implementation of many of the specific duties set out in this notice will be delegated to the Master.

The Master may in turn delegate duties but retains overall responsibility on board.

Question 12

What is the Masters responsibility with regard to COSWP?

Answer 12

• The Master is the representative of the Company.

• The Master has the day-to-day responsibility for the safe operation of the ship and the safety of those on board.

How does he do this?

The ability to communicate clearly is important at all levels in an organisation. For a Master, the key issue is most often how to encourage better two-way rather than one-way communication, balancing authority and approachability. Being open to criticism is a part of this

• Ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities;
• Ensuring orders and instructions are properly understood, acknowledged and acted upon;
• Passing safety-critical information between watchkeepers and changing crews;
• Ensuring information posters, signs and instructions are clear and can be understood;
• Ensuring safety alerts, memos and newsletters are clear and can be understood;
• Encouraging feedback, improvement suggestions and safety observations, and acting on the information received;
• Safety meetings should have minutes and the reports distributed and acted upon where appropriate; and
• Ensuring a good, clear and reliable system of emergency response communications is in place.

Preventing fatigue. The Company and the Master should ensure that work is organised in such a way as to minimise fatigue, but seafarers also have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of their fellow workers.

• Ensure you arrive on board well rested at the start of a period of work.
• Take scheduled rest periods.
• Use rest periods to gain adequate, uninterrupted sleep as far as possible (research suggests the body needs about 8 hours of sleep in each 24 hours in total).
• Eat regular, well-balanced meals, but eat lightly before sleep.
• Avoid alcohol and caffeine before sleep.
• Record hours of rest accurately, so that if there are workload pressures at particular times, this becomes apparent to management.

Further information about fatigue, making the most of sleep patterns and ways to maintain alertness are in MGN 505(M).

Question 13

What is a “safety official” onboard?

Answer 13

those with a designated safety role on board are referred to as ‘safety officials’, and this term includes safety officers, safety representatives and other members of safety committees.

Question 14

Who is the Safety Officer?

Answer 14

Ships on which 5 or more seafarers are employed, the Company is required to appoint a safety officer.

The safety officer is the safety adviser aboard the ship and can provide valuable assistance to the Company and to all on board in meeting the statutory responsibilities for health and safety.

Master must record the appointment of a safety officer in the official log book.

The general principle is that the safety officer takes an independent view of safety on behalf of the Company.

Question 15

What/who is a safety Representative?

Answer 15

All ships on which 5 or more seafarers are working, the Company must make arrangements for the election of safety representatives.

He/she cannot have fewer than 2 years seas service, since turning 18.

The Master must record the election or appointment of every safety representation, this should be either in the official logbook or in the minutes of safety committee meetings.

Question 16

What is a safety committee?

Answer 16

• The Company is required to appoint a safety committee on every ship with 5 or more seafarers.
• The committee must be chaired by the Master.
• Members will include, as a minimum, the safety officer and any elected safety representatives.
• Any competent person appointed by other employers should be invited to attend.
• The Master must record the appointment of a safety committee in writing – this should normally be in the official logbook or minutes of the committee’s meetings.
• The Company and Master, in cooperation with other employers, must also ensure that safety officials have the necessary resources and means. This will include providing any necessary accommodation and office supplies. They should also allow them sufficient time off from their duties without loss of pay, to enable them to fulfil their functions or undertake any necessary health and safety training.

Question 17

After a Safety induction what other training might you consider for the new crew memeber?

Answer 17

the should also receive the;

• appropriate security training and departmental induction covering safe working practices,
• areas of responsibility,
• departmental standing orders, and
• training/certification requirements to operate specific machinery or undertake specific tasks.

Question 18

How would I conduct the safety meeting as the chairman?

Answer 18

The safety committee is a forum for consultation between the Master, safety officials and others of matters relating to health and safety.

It may be used by individual employers for consultation with the Company and seafarers.

The Master as the chairman, the committee has the means to take effective action in all matters which it discusses other than those requiring the authorisation of the Company and individual employers.

The frequency of meetings will be determined by circumstances, but the committee should meet regularly, taking into account the pattern of operation of the ship and the arrangement for manning and with sufficient frequency to ensure continuous improvement in safety.

A meeting should also be held after any serious incident or accident on the ship, if the normal meeting is not due within a week.

An agenda should be circulated to all committee members in sufficient time to enable them to digest the contents and to prepare for the meeting.

The first item on the agenda should always be the minutes of the previous meeting. This allows any correction to the minutes to be recorded and gives the opportunity to report any follow-up action taken.

The last item but one should be ‘any other business’.

Question 19

Risk awareness and risk assessment

Answer 19

If seafarers are fully informed and aware of the risks to their health, safety and welfare, they are much more likely to ensure they avoid the risks and remain safe.

Key terms

A hazard is a source of potential injury, harm or damage. It may come from many sources, e.g. situations, the environment or a human element.

Risk has two elements:

• The likelihood that harm or damage may occur.
• The potential severity of the harm or damage.

A key tool in ensuring that all involved in the work have a clear understanding and awareness of any hazards and their associated risks is the carrying out of a toolbox talk before the work commences.

Question 20

What does a risk assessment process do?

Answer 20

The risk assessment process identifies hazards present in a work undertaking, analyses the level of risk, considers those in danger and evaluates whether hazards are adequately controlled, taking into account any measures already in place.

Effective risk assessments:

• Correctly and accurately identify all hazards;
• Identify who may be harmed and how;
• Determine the likelihood of harm arising;
• Quantify the severity of the harm;
• Identify and disregard inconsequential risks;
• Record the significant findings;
• Provide the basis for implementing or improving control measures; and
• Provide a basis for regular review and updating.

Any risk assessment must address risks to the occupational health and safety of seafarers.

Question 21

Label the Risk Assement Levels under COSWP?

Answer 21

1. Risk Assessment level 1
2. Risk Assessment level 2: Task Based
3. Risk Assessment level 3: Tool box talk
4. Risk Assessment level 4: Personal Assessment of risk

Question 22

Explain Risk Assessment level 1?

Answer 22

The ISM Code requires that the safety management objectives of the Company should assess the risks associated with all identified hazards with reagrds to its ships, personnel and the environment, and establish appropriate safeguards.

These risk assessments, sometimes known as generic risk assessments, should therefore be carried out at a high level in the Company with appropriately knowledgeable and experienced personnel, and the results used to ensure that appropriate safeguards and control measures are contained within the Company’s safety management system in the form of policies, procedures and work instructions.

Question 23

Explain Risk Assessment level 2?

Answer 23

Risk assessment level 2: task based

In addition to the general requirements under the ISM Code, The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations 1997 require that a suitable and sufficient assessment shall be made of the risks to the occupational health and safety of seafarers arising in the normal course of their activities or duties.

There are vessel- and task-specific risk assessments that must be carried out on board each vessel.

Two distinct types of TBRA may be used. First, a range of vessel-specific generic TBRAs that can be used for all routine and low-risk tasks can be developed. These should be periodically reviewed, but frequency would very much depend on the particular circumstances on the vessel and the level of risk.

The second type of TBRA would be used for specific high-risk jobs that are not routine, such as working aloft or enclosed space entry. These should relate to the specific persons who will be involved in the work and valid only for the duration of that job.

Question 24

Explain Risk Assessment level 3: Toolbox talk.

Answer 24

Risk assessment level 3: toolbox talk

A toolbox talk is another form of risk assessment carried out in support of a TBRA. Its prime purpose is to talk through the procedures of the job in hand and the findings of the TBRA with the seafarers involved.

When carrying out a toolbox talk, it is important to actively involve those carrying out the work and others who may be at risk, i.e. seafarers, sub-contractors and others on board ship who may be affected by the work. Full and active participation should be encouraged and any questions or concerns discussed and taken into consideration. Once finished, confirm that all fully understand their role in the task and the precautions in place (‘closed-loop communication’).

Question 25

Explain Risk Assessment Level 4, Personal assessment of risk.

Answer 25

Risk assessment stage 4: personal assessment of risk

This is an informal assessment of day-to-day risks carried out as you are going about your work and life in general. It is a technique used to ensure that we perform even the most mundane of tasks without getting hurt.

• Maintain awareness of our environment at all times.
• Aid in the identification and control of immediate hazards as we go about our work.
• Use of personal assessment of risk should be developed and encouraged.

Question 26

Define Enclosed space as per COSWP

Answer 26

A dangerous (enclosed) space is defined in the regulations as ‘any enclosed or confined space in which it is foreseeable that the atmosphere may at some stage contain toxic or flammable gases or vapours, or be deficient in oxygen, to the extent that it may endanger the life or health of any person entering that space.’

The Master is required to ensure that all unattended dangerous spaces are secured against entry, except when it is necessary to enter.

The normal level of oxygen in the atmosphere is 20.8%.

Any variation from that may indicate a problem and should be investigated further. For example, when the oxygen reading is 20%, consideration should be given to further testing for toxic gases, where appropriate, because toxic gases may have displaced some oxygen.

Once other risks are discounted, a steady reading of at least 20% oxygen by volume should be obtained before entry is permitted.

The following four conditions should be tested as a minimum in all spaces.(see image)

Question 27

Adverse Weather as per COSWP, how to respond to adverse weather as the master.

Answer 27

Lifelines should be rigged in appropriate locations on deck.

No seafarers should be on deck in conditions that the Master considers adverse weather unless it is considered necessary for the safety of the ship, passengers and crew, or the safety of life at sea. Where possible, work should be delayed until conditions have improved, e.g. until daylight, or until the next port of call.

The lashings of all deck cargo should be inspected and tightened, as necessary, when rough weather is expected. Anchors should be secured and hawse and spurling pipe covers fitted and sealed when rough weather is expected, regardless of the expected voyage duration.

Work on deck during adverse weather should be authorised by the Master and the bridge watch should be informed. A risk assessment should be undertaken, and a permit to work and a company checklist for work on deck in heavy weather completed.

Any seafarers required to go on deck during adverse weather should wear a lifejacket suitable for working in, a safety harness (which can be attached to lifelines) and waterproof personal protective equipment including full head protection and should be equipped with a water-resistant UHF radio. Head-mounted torches should be considered.

Seafarers should work in pairs or in teams. All seafarers should be under the command of a competent person.

Question 28

Outline what you would consider as Master, for Access for pilots in Adverse weather?

Answer 28

• All pilot ladders used for pilot transfer should be clearly identified with tags or permanent markings, so as to enable identification of each appliance for the purposes of survey, inspection and record keeping. A record should be kept on the ship as to the date the identified ladder is placed into service and any repairs effected.
• Each pilot ladder, accommodation ladder and their associated equipment are properly maintained and stowed, and regularly inspected to ensure that it is safe to use.
• Each pilot ladder is used only for the embarkation and disembarkation of pilots and by officials and other persons while a ship is arriving at or leaving a port.
• The rigging of the pilot ladder, accommodation ladder and associated equipment is supervised by a responsible officer who is in communication with the navigating bridge. This officer’s duties will include arranging for the pilot to be escorted by a safe route to and from the bridge. Advice on safe rigging of such equipment is included in this.
• Personnel engaged in rigging or operating any mechanical equipment are instructed in the safe procedures to be adopted and that the equipment is to be tested prior to each use.

Question 29

What is a Permit to Work?

Answer 29

A permit to work is way of ensuring that the risks assessments that have been carried out and controls measures put in place are being followed for carrying out a specific task.