the
Seafarer
eMagazine for maritime members of RMT
The importance of a Safety Representative As we come out of the pandemic and hopefully life starts to go back to some sort of normality, ship owners will be looking to claw back some of their lost profits during Covid19. For this reason seafarers will need to be vigilant that profits are not put before safety, resulting in safety standards slipping and crews being put at greater risk. We have all seen in our working lives, safety certification extended to the absolute last day of renewal or critical maintenance redlined during refits, all in the name of saving a few pounds. This often results in safety issues arising at a later date. The role of a Shipboard Safety Representative is vital in ensuring that safe working environments are maintained, and their positions should be filled at all times with elected members. Ideally there should be one safety representative for each department that can play a role in functional shipboard health and safety committees. A safety rep has rights and entitlements to produce and implement risk assessments, safety inspections and safety tours. They have the right to access investigation records and any relevant safety documents needed to conduct their role, particularly when investigating potential hazards, dangerous occurrences, accidents and incidents. While acting within this role they are protected by law from any discrimination or dismissal by the employer and they are also entitled to paid time off to perform their role as safety
representative. Training courses are provided by the employer or RMT. If any members are interested in Safety Rep training at RMT’s Union Learning Centre at Doncaster then they should contact their RMT branch secretary.
Issue 10 – July 2022
In this issue ...
5
Life through a lens
7
Hunger is a political choice
8
PNTL Pay Update
10
Get Active, Get Involved
16
Your Mental Health Matters
19
Dale Kember
Lifeboat safety