In SwedishSAN NEWS 2 2008
A pleasant work environment boosts the whole company
Job satisfaction is important and surveys show that many people value it higher than their salaries. For seamen that both live and work onboard it is especially important to feel good in their work environment.
Danish project will give clear advice on well-being
The general level of well-being of Danish seamen will be raised with the help of a knowledge bank filled with useful experience and the support of a psychologist. The Danish Maritime Occupational Health Service (MOHS) is behind the project.
”What makes you feel good onboard?”
Good colleagues. That was the most common answer when SAN News asked seamen at Wallenius Lines about what made them feel good onboard. But also wireless Internet, good training facilities, good ships and an open relationship with the management of the shipping company were seen as important factors.
The industry must address work environment issues
Sweden must participate actively in all issues concerning the work environment to stay in the forefront when it comes to rules and regulations, protective equipment and the lowest number of accidents.
Gender neutral titles in review of STCW code
The wide-ranging review of the STCW code is continuing and in STW 39 (Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping) in March a number of different questions were discussed.
Cecilia Österman: “Making investments in work environment pays off”
Are investments in work environment financially profitable? Cecilia Österman, a postgraduate student, will answer that question in a newly started research project.
Wood product cargoes more dangerous than realised
After as little as one or two days, the air around a cargo of wood products can be lethal to inhale. This is indicated by measurements made near wood product cargoes in 2007.
Grounding
The ship’s mate was working at the computer, but not with navigation, and forgot to look up and check the course. A few degrees of drift caused the grounding. The ship’s captain, who came to the bridge immediately before the grounding, had time to reduce the speed by a few knots but this was not sufficient to prevent the accident.
Fishing vessel in total shipwreck
The ship was travelling during the night towards the harbour after two day’s fishing. The crew member on watch fell asleep in the relatively comfortable chair on the bridge, even though he had not worked more than permitted. He did not wake up until the ship had actually grounded.
Deficiencies in reporting
When an accident or serious near accident occurs at sea there is an obligation to report this to the Maritime Safety Inspectorate investigating unit. This duty is also applicable to all personnel at the Swedish Maritime Administration.
From Insjö
At the time of writing there are 2,077 reports in the joint accident and near accident shipping database, Insjö. A striking number of these are of a technical nature and describe systems and equipment that suddenly cease to operate and thus give rise to high risk situations. Several events were described in which anchors had been lost or unintentionally dropped.
