MASS UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice 2022 (V6)

n Procedures for internal audits and management reviews;
n A voyage data recorder may be required to record mission data for further analysis.
n A pro-active safety management system incorporating vessel data analysis for safety and compliance
purposes is suggested..
6.3.4 The following paragraphs explain in more detail how the Operator can fulfil the functional requirements.
6.5.6 The Operator should ensure that:
n Current in date and MASS specific documentation is available as required at all relevant locations;
n Changes to documents are reviewed and approved by authorised personnel; and
n Obsolete documents are promptly removed/destroyed/archived, and change management controlled
effectively.
6.4 SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION POLICY
6.5.7 The system and form of documentation adopted by the Operator should suit their own policy and be effective to
meet the requirements of the Operator.
6.4.1 All issues of health, safety and the environment that can affect the Operator, its staff and those third parties
affected by its business, both ashore and afloat, should be considered and recorded in an effective policy
statement.
6.4.2 The policy should describe how the objectives of ensuring safety at sea, prevention of human injury or loss of life
and avoidance of damage to the environment are to be achieved.
6.4.3 Such a policy might read along the following lines:
n "The policy of [name of Owner/Operator] is to conduct its activities taking full account of the health and
safety of its employees and of all persons using or connected with the Operator and with due regard for the
protection of the environment.
n In implementing this policy, [name of Owner/Operator] will ensure that the MASS is, at all times, properly
maintained and operated by qualified personnel in compliance with relevant legislation.
n In particular, [name of Owner/Operator] will carry out an assessment of the risks to the health and safety of
workers and others affected by [the operation] and will take the necessary measures to minimise the risks
identified."
6.4.4 The Operator should ensure that the policy is implemented and maintained at all levels of the organisation, both
onboard and ashore.
6.5 OPERATOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY DOCUMENTATION
6.5.1 The Operator should have authority at all times to make decisions with regard to the safety of the MASS and any
persons on board.
6.5.8 The documents used to describe and implement the SMS may be referred to as the Safety Management Manual.
Each MASS should retain on board all relevant documentation to that platform, but this will depend on the size
of the MASS. Where a MASS does not have the size or capacity to retain the applicable records a suitable
alternative arrangement of document retention should be provided by the Operator.
6.6 GENERAL HEALTH & SAFETY PROTECTION POLICY
6.6.1 One or more competent person(s) should be delegated to take responsibility for health and safety, and these
personnel should be clearly identified. It is the responsibility of the Operator to ensure that the policy is complied
with, and that the responsibilities are understood.
6.6.2 The Operator should develop a policy on the prevention of alcohol and drug abuse for all its staff.
6.6.3 All personnel, both ashore and afloat, have a duty to take care of themselves and other persons who may be
affected by their acts or omissions.
6.7 SAFETY CULTURE
6.7.1 Safety culture refers to how safety is addressed and communicated in the workplace. It encompasses the
attitudes, beliefs, perceptions, and values of all employees in an organisation in relation to safety.
6.7.2 In this regard, operators are encouraged to create a positive safety culture – where all employees actively
participate in health and safety. New employees are likely to adopt safe ways of working, and existing employees
will require less supervision longer term.
6.5.2 To ensure that there is no ambiguity regarding the authority of the Operator, there should be a simple written
statement to this effect.
6.5.3 For all personnel who manage, perform and verify work associated with safety and pollution prevention, their
respective responsibilities, authority and relationship with affected personnel should be demarcated and
documented.
6.5.4 Suitable and sufficient resources and shore support are to be provided to enable the designated person/persons
to fulfil their duties.
6.5.5 A form of quality system should be established where procedures to control all documents and data which are
relevant to the SMS are recorded, maintained and kept current.
6.7.3 Some ways of adopting a positive safety culture include:
n Involve workers in health and safety discussions, risk assessments, reviews etc.;
n Train, motivate and encourage;
n Praise rather than criticise;
n Celebrate success rather than focus on failures;
n Build trust and create a sense of community amongst colleagues;
n Listen and encourage open communication;
n The use of neutral assessment for safety investigations – Just Culture;
n Proactive safety reporting to inform organisational and individual behaviours.
56
MASS UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice Version 6 MASS UK Industry Conduct Principles and Code of Practice Version 6 57