Safety Officer

5.101.1 Authority and Interrelation

• Responsible to, and reports to the Staff Captain.
• On Scene Commander for fire-fighting activity. (Refer to Emergency Instructions).

5.101.2 Responsibility (including but not limited to)

• Understand, abide and implement all relevant documentation, regulations, guidelines and procedures. Sign copies as instructed by the superior officer to indicate understanding of the same.
• Adviser to master, officers, ratings and all others onboard on all matters affecting safety.
• Report and record any undesired events, unsafe practices or near accidents observed and attempt to rectify them if safely possible.
• Plan, co-ordinate and execute all safety related activities, delegate jobs to the crew under his supervision and regulate their working hours to comply with existing regulations.
• Issue orders and instructions in a clear and simple manner. Verify understanding and compliance to the same.
• Ensure that all jobs under his/her charge are carried out in a safe, environment conscious and efficient manner.
• Maintain an awareness of environmental and energy efficiency aspects and impacts as relevant to your role, and act as departmental environmental and energy efficiency representative if required (where applicable to the vessel ISO accreditation standard).
• Responsible for completion of Quarterly Safety Rounds ensuring;
  • That at least once every three months every passenger, crew, service and technical space is inspected.
  • This may be done on a rotational basis (e.g. one deck each week).
  • The Engineer assigned the Deputy Safety Officer’s duties should assist.
  • The focus of the inspection should be the fundamental scrutiny of the description, labelling, usage, condition, protection, access / egress, etc. of each space and its contents.
  • Compiling a report identifying inspected areas and any non-conformance found therein.
• Perform Incident investigation, analysis and evaluation, ref SSMM 9.1. Where appropriate, making recommendations to prevent recurrence and monitoring that any recommendations are acted upon.
• Completion of associated reports for submission to the Company, and to the ship’s Safety Committee.
• Ensure that all security related duties are carried out as required by the Ship Security Plan.
• Responsible for the maintenance of shipboard Life Saving Appliances (LSA) and for the upkeep of the LSA Maintenance Record (BD13). The chief engineer and any other crew the chief engineer/master designates for the purpose shall assist him.
• Upon request assist the chief engineer for maintenance of FFA equipment.
• Prepare for passing safety related surveys.
• Monitor training of staff under his charge. Monitor their progress. Identify and address areas where improvement is required in conjunction with the Master. Refer Ch.6.1.
• Responsibility for the implementation and conduct of safety training following the procedures and instructions established in Company manuals, the Muster List/Bill and the Shipboard Emergency Plan. He is to have a thorough knowledge of the Legislation involved in these matters.
  • This responsibility includes:
  • Conducting ship induction and training re SEP for all ship's personnel with particular reference to watertight doors, firefighting and lifesaving procedures and appliances.
  • Appraisal and training of all on board re occupational health and safety procedures including the Company’s Safety Management System (policy, procedures, instructions, standing orders, rules, regulations, etc.), the Code of Safe Working Practice (COSWOP) and the Code of Conduct.
• Maintaining the Muster List up to date, including co-ordination and organisation of all aspects of the Shipboard Emergency Plan including its current documentation and the distribution and display of relevant information.
• Co-ordinate with the chief engineer for the repair and technical maintenance of fire fighting equipment and life saving equipment.
• Participate in shipboard searches and drills as directed by the Master and impart training to ship staff.
• Assist the Master in preparing ship-specific contingency plans as per the guidelines given in the Vessel Contingency Manual (VCM).
• Supervise all jobs carried out by the crew or contractors within his area of responsibility.
• Review the shipboard management system during his tenure and provide inputs for the Shipboard Management Systems Review (refer Ch.12.2).
• Encourage input to the Shipboard Management System Review from the department staff.
• Perform other duties as required by the Master within the scope.