In Swedish2008
Colleagues in crisis – a safety risk
A person in the middle of a crisis may be able to ”turn on the autopilot” and appear to manage their job quite well. In reality though, he or she may be a time bomb that should be taken off the ship as quickly as possible.
Safety culture is about attitudes
The concept of safety culture was explained in detail at the autumn SAN conference. The audience also learned how we as people react when we are subjected to stress in connection with accidents.
Looking for scapegoats creates stress
Following rules and writing policy documents to comply with requirements from authorities or customers is part of what we call quality shipping. What is often forgotten, however, are people and the psychosocial work environment and prevailing conditions onboard. There are many good examples of shipping companies that pay a lot of attention to their personnel and that constructed ships in the 1970s which still feel modern today.
Risk assessment theme for work environment week
– It is not unreasonable to strive for a zero vision of injuries and accidents in working life. Nobody should need to risk life and health when they go to work.
Seaman’s church seeks contact with families
“Hardly any other choice of occupation affects close family members, families and friends as much as that of seamen. Going to sea always means that family, friends and relatives are left behind at home.”
Debriefing an important procedure after accidents
Don’t ask if any of the crew want to have debriefing – just make it part of the standard, routine procedures after a serious accident. That is the advice of the psychologist, Arto Nordlund.
Christer Lindvall: “I have never had any doubts”
The ISM code, STCW convention and now the problem with tiredness. The managing director of the Ship Officers’ Association has pushed work environment and safety issues in international shipping contexts like few other Swedes have done.
Grounding with pilots onboard
During the last section of the journey the ship was sailing slow ahead. She was guided along a transit line between an illuminated quay corner and a strong light on land behind the quay corner. The transit line was the pilot’s own construction and was not marked on the chart. When the ship was about 740 metres from the quay it stopped softly. On the bridge this was thought to be a result of the prevailing ice conditions, but soon it was realised that the ship had grounded.
Hand injured in work with angle grinder
A member of the crew was doing some hobby work in his spare time in the ship’s workshop, grinding a piece of steel. Since he did not view the work as particularly difficult, he just held the piece of steel with one hand and the angle grinder with the other hand.
Lack of attention caused grounding
After the ship had passed through a narrow sound, it was approaching its destination. The captain, who was alone on the bridge apart from a guide, set the ship on course at the same time as he spoke to the passengers via the PA system to inform them about their impending arrival. The investigation showed that the captain yawed a minute or two too early and the ship grounded.
From Insjö
There are eleven reports on FRBs (fast rescue-boats) at Insjö. Five of these are the result of engine problems. Several can be categorised under poor service and maintenance, such as one where the engine compartment was filled with water due to a defective seal, and several others that needed fuel filters changing, amongst other things. Two had manoeuvring problems (one had a broken control line to the scoop so the boat could not reverse, another was difficult to steer).
Safer work environment onboard with routine SAM
At Stena Nautica, systematic work environment management (SAM) is in full swing. A large number of risk assessments have been made and several deficiencies have already been made good.
Passenger traffic in the lead – slower headway for smaller ships
The quality varies and the work has reached different levels, but five years after the Work Environment Act was passed most crews have started work with Systematic work environment management (SAM).
Work environment generally good but much work remains
On about 60% of the ships that I inspected in 2007 and the first half of 2008, including new and old ships, machine parts were still being hand-washed in diesel in the machine room. Fuel valves were being pressure-tested using diesel, and on many ships there were no extractor fans in these environments. All this despite the fact we are now in 2008!
Difficult to enforce demands on re-flagged ships
Before the Swedish Maritime Administration can approve re-flagging, the work environment onboard must be checked. The ship has already been approved by another administration, but to sail under the blue and yellow flag of Sweden it must fulfil Swedish demands, which in many cases are stricter than other countries’ rules and regulations.
Christer Nordling hands out money for good work environment ideas
Work environment activities can sometimes be heavy going and frustrating. But not if your name is Christer Nordling. As Administrative Director of the Stockholm Mercantile Marine Foundation, he meets nothing but smiling faces.
– This is a really enjoyable job and I am very grateful to have it. I would also claim that we do a lot of beneficial work, not least in improving the work environment for our seamen.
Dangerous start of inert gas generator
The chief mate was going to start an inert gas generator when making preparations for arrival. The generator room was located close to a room where some of the crew were asleep. To avoid waking any of them, the chief mate closed the door. However, he had forgotten to open the ventilation hatch and realised that there was a partial vacuum when his ears started hurting.
Fire in machine room
When a small passenger ship was going to moor at a pier the main engine stalled. The ship steered towards the beach next to the pier to make the grounding softer. It slid up the beach and back into the water without causing any real damage. A fire was then discovered in the machine room.
Container ship split in two
A large container ship was heading west in the English Channel through a storm. The speed was not reduced since the ship was judged to be strong enough to take the high seas. Soon after the ship had collided with several large waves a loud cracking sound was heard.
From Insjö
The investigation unit of the Swedish Maritime Safety Inspectorate would like to put in a reminder that the film ”Thanks to the human factor” is available for those who want information or motivation to increase the reporting of incidents to improve safety and the work environment.
