Under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (‘MLC’):
- A seafarer has the right to live and work and train on board in a safe and hygienic environment.
- Reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent accidents, injuries and diseases on board the ship.
- There must be a health policy and programme on board the ship, including risk evaluation and ongoing health and safety education.
- A seafarer has the right to be adequately trained and to be only assigned to a reasonable workload to which he is suited by age, state of health and skills. Personal protective equipment and other protection necessary for the job have to be provided.
- A seafarer has the right to be informed of all health and safety policies and programmes, as well as of all particular hazards on board the ship.
- Seafarers and shipowners have an obligation to comply with standards set for occupational health and safety on board.
- There must be processes for inspecting, reporting and correcting unsafe conditions and for investigating and reporting on-board accidents.
- A seafarer has the right to have his personal data protected during reporting and investigation of occupational safety and health matters.
- A seafarer should participate in ensuring safe working conditions and has the right to express views on working procedures as they may affect safety and health, without fear of dismissal.
- A seafarer has the right to remove himself from dangerous situations or operations when he has good reason to believe that there is an imminent and serious danger to his health and safety.
See Regulation 4.3 of the MLC.
For more information
See the ILO Frequently Asked Questions (section C5.2) at http://www.ilo.org/global/standards/maritime-labour-convention/what-it-does/faq/WCMS_177371/lang–en/index.htm
July 2014
