Health and Safety on Ships

This book provides practical guidance on safety and health in shipboard work in relation to: (a) preventing accidents, diseases and other harmful effects on the health of seafarers arising from employment on board ship at sea and in port; (b) ensuring that the responsibility for safety and health is understood and remains a priority for all concerned with maritime transport, including governments, shipowners and seafarers; and © promoting consultation and cooperation among governments, as well as shipowners’ and seafarers’ organisations in the improvement of safety and health on board merchant ships. This book also seeks to provide guidance in the implementation of the provisions of the Prevention of Occupational Accidents to Seafarers Convention, 1970 (No.134), and Recommendation, 1970 (No.142), as well as other applicable ILO Conventions and Recommendations. This book covers the health and safety of all seafarers serving on board all seagoing ships, whether publicly or privately owned, and which are ordinarily engaged in commercial maritime navigation. However, some parts of this publication may be of interest to vessels in service on inland waterways and for personnel employed on fishing vessels. In any case, this book aims to provide what should be considered the basic minimum requirements for protecting seafarers’ health and safety at sea.