In SwedishSAN NEWS 3 2008
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.
