Hazard Identification

A vital part of the safety officer's job is to identify hazards onboard the vessel. Some hazards are hard to avoid or do something about but it is crucial to inform the crew of the risks they are exposed to daily and how to lower the exposure by using the right personal protective equipment. 

By planning, some of the potential risks can be lowered. An example of this is when you are working aloft; it is particularly important to plan and construct carefully. This is to be able to choose a design suited for the type of work at hand, taking in mind a safe assembly process, and resulting in a reliable and safe work environment.

Getting foreign particles in your eyes is a relatively common incident and as an employee, you need to use safety glasses when suited. Slip and fall incidents are also common onboard and hard to fully avoid, these can lead to bruises, fractures, or worse.

Accidents during drills can happen due to stress, lack of knowledge, and/or concentration. During a stressful situation, it is possible to focus on the primary task and lose situational awareness. If the crew is well-trained, the risk of injuries during drills is reduced. It is prudent that the exercises are well planned and that good communication is established.

The Hierarchy of Hazards

The hierarchy of hazard control is a system used to minimise or eliminate exposure to hazards. It has five general steps.