Safety starts in the mind

The most important thing in the work of the trade union is that seafarers, getting a decent salary, return from voyages safe and sound.  Therefore, SUR considers one of its priorities a joint work with employers on reducing injury rate among crew members.  Yesterday, the SUR Chief Technical Labor Inspector, Evgeny Khizhnyak, gave a lecture on labor safety at the Admiral Makarov State Maritime University of Maritime and Inland Shipping for Masters and Chief Officers of sea vessels.

Such training is required by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Seafarers must undergo it every five years.

The SUR Chief Technical Labor Inspector elaborated on the role of Masters and Chief Officers in the procedure for investigating accidents with seafarers while working on board a vessel. He spoke about all the actions that should be taken when investigating minor or severe, group, fatal accidents involving crew members of ships of Russian and foreign companies.

— It is the proper execution of primary documents on board that plays a crucial role in the analysis of such situations, — Khizhyank noted. — Investigations must be conducted without prejudice to the interests of the injured seafarer or the family members of the deceased, the administration of the vessel and the company, focusing on the structural defects of the vessel, adverse weather conditions, as well as the fatigue of the crew members.

He reminded the seafarers that it is possible to avoid injury if one will think over his actions in advance, before starting work. “We must remember that safety starts in the mind. And, as a rule, an experienced professional, having properly prepared his workplace, tools, workwear and personal protective equipment, will never get injured on board a vessel.”

Evgeny Khizhnyak noted that such lectures not only give Masters and Chief Officers the coveted Certificate, but also help them to stay up to date with the latest changes in the field of national and international documents regulating the safe work of maritime workers. When the meeting was over, Evgeny Khizhnyak answered in detail additional questions from the seafarers and provided his contact information so that they could apply to him to get recommendations on the injury investigation procedure.