Risk assessment for junior officers onboard merchant ships

Risk assessment
This slide show will provide a very brief explanation of risk assessment
specially aimed at junior officers on board merchant ships
16/05/2021 Shane Sankaranarayana 1

Case Study
• Ship’s Name : XXXXX
• Year of the incident : 2018
• Time of the incident : Around noon
• Source : Accident investigation Report, MAIB, UK

Case study
• C/O, 2/O, AB1 and AB2 were engaged in closing the fwd
hatch.
• Hatch cover was a hinged type cover.
• Crane is required to close or open the hatch. Refer the
two diagrams below.
Hinged type hatch cover in open position Closing the hatch with the aid of fwd crane

Case study
• 2/O started the power to the foremast crane.
• C/O started operating the ship’s crane with the remote controller to
secure the fwd hatch.
• AB1 and AB2 removed the ‘locking pins’ of the pontoon.

Case study
The two ABs
removed
‘locking pins’
before
hooking the
‘lifting sling’
to the
foremast
crane hook

Case study
• While the C/O was lowering the crane hook to connect the ‘lifting sling’
• AB2 climbed on to the pontoon to connect the ‘lifting sling’
AB1 AB2

Case study
• Hatch cover fell down trapping the AB2 between the hatch cover and
hatch coaming.
• AB2 was declared deceased.
• This incident took place when two officers were precent/supervising
the operation.

Case study
• Among other things, main reason for the accident was, a risk
assessment was not carried out.

ISM Code
• IMO made the ISM Code mandatory from 1st of July 1998 by the
Resolution A.741(18) with the hope of eliminating accidents due to
human error.
• The Resolution A.741(18) required the Company to ‘establish
safeguards against all identified risks’.
• Above was amended as ‘assess all identified risks to its ships,
personnel and the environment and establish appropriate safeguards’
by Resolution MSC 273(85) and entered into force on 1st July 2010.

Present condition of risk assessment onboard
ships
• Above accident took place in 2018, eight years after the risk
assessment became compulsory.
• Even now, lot of accidents happen onboard ships due to improper or
no risk assessments.
• While complying with the risk assessment procedures provided in the
company SMS it is always better to be more cautious by observing
good seamanship practices.
• Therefore, this presentation provides a brief description of how to
carryout risk assessments with examples.

Definitions
• Hazard means is a source of potential harm or damage or a situation
with a potential for harm or damage;
• Risk has two elements
❑ the likelihood that a hazard may occur;
❑ the consequences of the hazardous event.
Source : Code of Safe Practices for Merchant Seamen, MCA, UK

What is a risk
This may be simplified as;
• Risk = Probability (Likelihood) x Severity (Consequences)
In accordance with the above, risk will be high;
• if the ‘Probability’ is high and/or
• if the ‘Severity’ is high
Example;
• What is the ‘risk’ in driving a car in Sri Lanka?

What is a risk – Example 1
Sri Lanka has per annum an average of;
• 38,000 crashes
• 3000 fatalities
• 8000 serious injuries (Source: Leadership Priorities and Initiatives to 2030, The World Bank)
Which means, 104 accidents, 8 fatalities & 22 serious injuries per day.
So, what is the ‘Probability’ of involving in an accident? It is Very high….
Now, look at the ‘Severity’
• Damages to the vehicle – minor financial losses to major financial losses
• Damages to people – minor injuries to fatalities to passengers, pedestrians & financial losses in treating them
So, what is the ‘Severity’? It is High…..
Risk = Probability x Severity
Therefore, there is a High Risk in driving a car in Sri Lanka

• What are the methods of reducing the risk of driving a car in Sri Lanka
Methods which we can control Methods which we can not control
Ensure to drive a vehicle which we are licensed
for
Other’s must ensure;
• to drive vehicles which they have licenses
Enhance competency • to improve their own competency
Comply with road regulations • to comply with road regulations
Avoid going at fast speeds • to drive at controllable speeds
Avoid drink & drive • not to drive after the use of alcohol
Ensure car is properly maintained • the car is properly maintained
Ensure to be physically fit • that they are physically fit
Police shall monitor the road users are complying
with rules of the road
Now, as we can not control the risk mitigating mechanisms listed in the 2nd column above, we comply
with the 1st column and reduce the risk. That is how we are still surviving.

• What is the risk working onboard European ships?
Between 2011 and 2018 there were;
• 7694 personal injuries
• 696 fatalities (Source : Annual overview of marine casualties and incidents 2019, EMSA)
Which means 3 personal injuries and 0.2 fatalities per day.
Therefore, we could say that ‘Probability’ of injuring/deaths onboard is less.
But, what about the ‘Severity’? Same as road accidents in Sri Lanka, if a Hazard is taken place, the
‘Severity’ will be high.
Even though the ‘Severity’ is high, since the ‘Probability’ is less, the ‘Risk’ will be less

What is a risk
• In the case of the Example – 1, there are actions that we can take and
actions that we can not take to reduce the risk. Which means, even though
we take preventions, we may face losses due to other’s carelessness.
• In the 2nd example, if we have a ‘Safety Culture’ onboard, the above
calculated risk in working on European ships can be reduced further.
• Implementing a safety culture on board a ship is very easier than
implementing the same in a country.
• Carrying out risk assessments will enhance the development of safety
culture onboard.

What is a risk
• Risk assessment is not a new concept. We have been doing this in our day to day
operations as well.
• As an example, when we are planning to go on an outing in the car, we ensure
that;
❑petrol tank is full or have refuelling stations on the way
❑cafes are available on the way or we carry snacks
❑head lights, breaks, steering etc are working in order
❑we are properly rested………..
• In shipping this has become a major topic because;
❑most of the losses have occurred due to ‘Human Error’ (which could have been prevented)
❑‘Severity’ could be very high and
❑risk assessment has become a legal requirement

Risk assessment requirements
Risk assessment is made compulsory by the;
• ISM Code and
• MLC 2006

Risk assessment onboard
• Company SMS will provide a methodology to assess risks with regards
to identified hazards.
• The risk assessment and risk management procedures may change
from company to company.
• You are required to be familiarized with your own company risk
assessment procedures.
• In day-to-day work onboard as a junior officer it is always better to
carryout risk assessment.
• Therefore, a simple method of assessing the risks are explained
below.

How to find ‘Probability’
Probability Example Rating
High Has a high chance of occurring 4
Medium Has a chance of occurring 3
Low Has not happened for many years 2
Zero Has never occurred in the
fleet/onboard
1

How to find ‘Severity’
Severity Example Rating
Soaring Property damage which may include;
• High financial losses
• Pollution
• Time losses
• Bad impression of the company
Fatalities
4
Moderate Property damage which may include;
• Considerable financial losses
• Time losses
Serious injuries
3
Minor Property damage which may include;
• Minor financial losses
Minor injuries (minor cuts, bruises etc.)
2
Negligible • No financial;
• No time losses; and
• No injuries
1

Risk matrix
Severity
Probability 1 2 3 4
5 5 10 15 20
4 4 8 12 16
3 3 6 9 12
2 2 2 6 8
1 1 2 3 4
High risk
Medium risk
Low risk
= 2 x 4 = 8
By referring to ‘Probability’ table
(slide 11) and ‘Severity’ table
(slide 12) need identify the
values for ‘Probability’ and
‘Severity’. Then, multiply them
to calculate the ‘Risk’.
Examples of use of ‘Probability’
table and ‘Severity’ table are
shown from slide no. 16
onwards.
Therefore, in the above case,
the risk is ‘Medium’.

Outcomes of a risk assessment
Risk Actions
High • Work shall not commence unless the risk is brought down to ‘medium’ or ‘Low’.
• May require to take permission of the company before the commencement of
work after mitigating risks.
• May have to use a ‘permit to work’.
• Need to document the actions taken to mitigate the risks
Medium • If possible, try to bring the risk level to ‘Low’
• Work can be started
• Actions taken to mitigate risks shall be documented
Low Work can be commenced

Important to note
• The above tables of calculating ‘Probability’, ‘Severity’, ‘Risk’ and
‘Outcomes’ are made very simply for you to understand how to make
them.
• You are required to get use to the company procedures in the SMS.
• At the same time, Re-assess the risk when ever circumstances change,
which may include;
❑change of people engage in the work
❑change of weather
❑change of time
❑change of equipment
❑change of place onboard etc.

How to assess risk onboard - 1
• Now, we will assess the risks involve with few duties of junior officers
on board by using the above made risk assessment procedure.
• Example – 1
Assess the risks in navigational watch keeping duties at sea

Example - 1
• We will say the ‘Probability’ is ‘Medium’, since even there were no
incidents during the past few years in the company, there is a possibility of
incidents due to own human errors.
• If there is a collision or grounding, the ‘Severity’ will be ‘Soaring’.
Therefore, Risk = Probability x Severity = 3 x 4 = 12
So, the risk is high
Now, are we going to stop the vessel, because the risk is high???????
No, we will take preventive measures and reduce the risk.

Example – 1 (Preventive measures)
• Comply with company’s safe watchkeeping practices, which may include but not limited
to;
❑Compliance with work & rest ours to avoid fatigue;
❑Comply with company’s drug and alcohol policy;
❑Keeping proper lookout;
❑Adhere to master’s standing orders and night orders;
❑Comply with COLREGS;
❑Monitor the vessel’s position frequently;
❑Ensure the bridge equipment is working in order;
❑Proceed at safe speed;
❑Follow good seamanship practices;
❑Maintain situational awareness;
❑If in doubt call master without being too late etc…..
• You are also required to keep proper documentation in accordance with the company
SMS and customary practices.

• Example – 2
Assess the risks in watch keeping duties at port

Example – 2
• Depending upon the company history, will say the ‘Probability’ is ‘Low’. Because, there
were no injuries, pollutions etc. during cargo operations in the company for past few
years.
• But, if you have an OS or a cadet (other than an AB) to support you during the watch,
‘Probability’ could become ‘Medium’. In this case, we will assume you have an AB.
• If there is a malpractice there could be pollutions and fatalities etc. therefore, the
‘Severity’ will be ‘Soaring’.
So, the risk is Medium
Still, we take preventive measures.

• Comply with company’s safe watchkeeping practices, which may include but not limited to;
❑ Compliance with work & rest ours to avoid fatigue;
❑ Comply with company’s drug and alcohol policy;
❑ Adhere to chief officer’s port orders;
❑ Comply with the vessel’s security requirements;
❑ In case of bunkering – Comply with company’s bunkering procedures;
❑ In case of de-ballasting – comply with company’s de-ballasting procedures;
❑ Comply with good seamanship practices;
❑ Carryout frequent fire rounds;
❑ Make sure to maintain the trim as required by C/O & the vessel is upright;
❑ Ensure the cargo workers are not misusing the ship’s gears;
❑ Make sure no smoking on deck;
❑ Ensure the vessel’s mooring integrity is maintained;
❑ Monitor the weather throughout;
❑ Monitors the other vessels berthing or moving close by;
❑ Make sure to use proper PPE, display correct lights & shapes;
❑ Maintain situational awareness;
❑ If in doubt call chief officer or master without being too late etc…..
• You are also required to keep proper documentation in accordance with the company SMS and customary
practices.

• Example – 3
Assess the risks in carrying out maintenance work of FFA

Example – 3
• Depending upon the company history, will say the ‘Probability’ is ‘Zero’. Because there
were no injuries, pollutions etc. while carrying out such duties in the company for few
years.
• But, the ‘Probability’ could be ‘High’ or ‘Medium’, if you are working on deck (during
moderate sea conditions) or in engine room (if you are not familiar with the E/R spaces).
• In this case, we will assume that you are working in accommodation spaces. So, the
‘Probability’ is ‘Low’.
• Hardly a pollution or injury or damage may occur. Therefore, the ‘Severity’ could be
‘Minor’.
So, the risk is Low
You may start work, but still, better to take possible preventive measures.

• Comply with company’s safe working practices, which may include but not
limited to;
❑Use correct PPE;
❑Adhere to chief officer’s instructions;
❑Comply with good seamanship practices;
❑Make sure no smoking while working;
❑Do not operate any fire fighting equipment without the permission from a senior officer
❑Always maintain situational awareness;
❑Use correct procedures when lifting heavy weights;
❑If in doubt call chief officer or master without being too late etc…..

• Example – 4
Assess the risks in carrying out maintenance duties of life boats and
launching devices (without lowering)

Example – 4
• Depending upon the company history, will say the ‘Probability’ is ‘Low’. Because
there were no injuries, damages etc. while carrying out such duties in the
company for few years.
• But if the weather condition is moderate or if you are not experienced enough to
conduct such operations, again the ‘Probability’ could become ‘High’.
• If something goes wrong, definitely the ‘Severity’ will be ‘Soaring’
So, the risk is Medium
Still, we take preventive measures.

Example – 4 (preventive measures)
• Comply with company’s safe working practices, which may include but
not limited to;
❑Use correct PPE;
❑These types of work shall to be carried out under the direct supervision of a
senior officer
❑Comply with good seamanship practices;
❑Do not try any unlashing or lowering mechanisms;
❑Maintain situational awareness etc.

Final note
• Company SMS will be providing risk assessments for various identified
duties onboard with preventive measures.
• Adhere to the preventive measures give in them and procedures in SMS.
• Always maintain situational awareness.
• Comply with good seamanship practices.
• Do not take risks.
• No heroes at sea, but, good, competent and safety conscious seamen.
• Re assess the risk if situation is changed.
• If you are in doubt, contact master or chief officer.

Risk assessment for junior officers onboard merchant ships

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