DNV has instructed its safety management auditors to specifically address seafarer health, work and living conditions, says an article published on their website.
Head of DNV Maritime Speaks about the audit
“The pandemic has in many cases made crew repatriation difficult, posing challenges to the mental health of seafarers working and living in relatively confined spaces for extended periods. With the support of experts throughout DNV, we have established a separate audit protocol addressing challenges to crew health and well-being,” said Georg Smefjell, Head of Maritime Management Systems (MMS) Services, DNV Maritime.
International Labour Organisation
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has noted with deep concern that hundreds of thousands of seafarers have extended their original tours of duty far beyond the recommended maximum.
The ILO acknowledges the immense risk that increased fatigue represents for the physical and mental health of individual seafarers and for the safety of navigation, security, and protection of the marine environment.
DNV audit protocol
The new DNV audit protocol is grounded in the International Safety Management Code (ISM) and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) of 2006.
The overall objective of these regulations is to ensure safety at sea by requiring companies to provide, among other things, a safe working environment through assessing all identified risks to ships and personnel and establishing appropriate safeguards.
Smefjell on seafarer safety
According to Smefjell, focusing on relevant ISM objectives and implementing appropriate safeguards for risks related to the pandemic will enable DNV Document of Compliance (DOC) holders to better handle the ongoing challenges.
Smefjell said, “Our customized safety management service will help our DOC holders deal with risks to seafarers associated with the pandemic and take proactive measures to alleviate them. The health and well-being of seafarers is of interest not only because of the need to prevent the spread and consequences of Covid-19 and comply with industry standards, but also because it is key to companies meeting their objectives and goals for safe and effective operations.”
Did you subscribe to our daily newsletter?
It’s Free! Click here to Subscribe!
Source: DNV
