by Capt. Michael Fragkias.
Shipping is one of the most important pillars of the global economy and is based on high levels of safety for both human resources and the environment. The concept of “safety culture” has emerged in recent years as a very important factor in preventing accidents, reducing risks and maintaining flawless shipping operations.
Without seafarers and ships, most of the products and goods we use every day would never reach us. However, behind the power of the sea lies a high degree of risk: Accidents, human errors, bad weather conditions, technical failures, etc. In these circumstances, the concept of safety culture has acquired a leading role.
It is not simply about implementing regulations and procedures, but about creating and gradually adopting a deeper and more conscious mindset regarding the health and safety of the crew, ship and environment in the commercial shipping industry. This is a collective behavior and attitude that is integrated into the daily operations of shipping companies and the crews that man merchant ships.
All Safety Management Systems – SMS), which were developed and have been implemented mandatorily since 1998, by all shipping companies, in accordance with the provisions of the ISM Code, are based on two dominant conditions. a) Commitment from the top of the company, b) Resources – Means.
Based on these two parameters and ethical values of each company, policies, procedures and instructions are developed and included in the Safety Management System!
It is now widely accepted that to effectively implement a Safety Management System it is necessary to develop a corporate SAFETY CULTURE, which will gradually be implemented by all employees, at all levels without exception!
Therefore, safety culture is not limited to strict compliance with the International Safety Management Code but focuses on the gradual change of mindset and behavior related to the implementation of the rules with the active participation of everyone.
In shipping, safety culture can be defined as: “The set of values, behaviors, attitudes and perceptions, shared by the members of an organization, that determines the way in which safety is prioritized, addressed and implemented in practice.”
To make it more understandable, let’s see how the two components of the concept of safety culture are defined:
– Safety: According to WIKIPEDIA The term Safety can be conditions that protect against danger, injury or in other words, protection from dangerous situations or loss of life.
According to “VENLYS Maritime Specialization Services”, SAFETY is the ability to successfully manage expected or unexpected situations.
– Culture: It is the method or way in which safety is managed at an individual or group level as well as in the workplace. It reflects the overall behavior, attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and ethical values of the company and its employees.
We are not just talking about regulations and procedures. Safety culture is a way of thinking, an attitude and a collective perception that determines how we approach safety at every step of the highly dangerous maritime activity.
Developing a positive safety culture is important to build effective professional behavior in maritime organizations.
Basic parameters of Safety Culture are Behaviors, Attitudes, Ethical values, Beliefs, Perceptions.
– Behaviors are those that ultimately produce safety or accidents.
– Attitudes determine intention
– Ethical values determine the way the company operates, makes decisions
and treats its members, both ashore and at sea.
– Beliefs establish culture
– Perceptions define how risk is perceived
· Behavior : Is the most visible element of Safety Culture and reflects how crew members, or the organization in general, act in practice. Behavior determines whether safety systems will work and includes:
– The way works are executed
– Discipline in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
– The reaction to unforeseen situations and emergencies
– Compliance with reporting incidents & near misses
– Implementation of current safety policies, procedures and instructions
Here we can ask ourselves what the concept of “BEHAVIOR” is all about?
Behavior is the set of actions of a person that is observed by others. According to this, human behavior is observable and measurable and therefore can be managed and improved.
Positive or negative consequences are directly linked to behaviors. Punishment negatively reduces bad behaviors. On the contrary, a culture of impunity should be adopted in organizations (No – blame culture).
· Attitudes
Attitudes are the internal predispositions that determine where a person leans when making decisions. They include:
– Willing compliance with procedures, not just because “it’s the right thing to do”
– Respect for safety as a value and not as an obstacle to everyday life
– Treating safety as a personal responsibility and not just that of superiors
– The sense of personal responsibility, accountability and professionalism
A negative attitude can undermine even the best Safety Management System.
Human attitude (What a person believes) can be improved by positive behavioral change.
· Ethical values .
Each shipping company or organization develops and proclaims its own ethical values! Suggested ethical values could be:
Safety and Sustainability
Safety is paramount and comes first without compromise. We care and look after each other by taking appropriate precautions, ensuring everyone returns home safely. We consider people and our blue planet in all decisions and actions. We contribute to a sustainable business, environment and society.
Professional Integrity
We are open, honest and lead by example. We build trust with others and are trustworthy. We admit mistakes and use them as an opportunity to improve our skills and processes. Integrity is critical in an environment like a ship, where the isolated nature of the profession makes self-discipline essential.
Seafarers are called upon every day to make decisions that affect the safety of the ship, cargo, colleagues and the marine environment. Without integrity, procedures can be circumvented, risks underestimated and rules interpreted as they please.
Prevention
We assess risk and give top priority to safety, taking appropriate precautions.
Based on SA FETY II, by promoting effective management and culture, we aim not only to reduce accidents but to ELIMINATE THEM.
Innovation
We seek and promote new ideas and ways of thinking and ways of acting. We embrace change and encourage others to do the same.
We are looking for ways to stay one step ahead of developments and create remarkable results. We strive to learned and improve continuously.
Diligence
We perform and complete our duties by demonstrating due diligence, overcoming any challenges.
Teamwork
We value and respect each other. We encourage open communication with mutual respect. We support the exchange of knowledge, experiences, know-how, and skills.
Ethical values are directly linked to fairness and trust. A crew that feels they are treated fairly and that company policies are being applied consistently develops higher levels of trust. Adopting and implementing ethical values strengthens the long-term sustainability of Safety Culture.
- Beliefs are deeper, more stable knowledge about what is important and true about safety. Beliefs are the core that guides attitudes and behaviors. If crew believe that management truly cares about them, this leads to greater compliance.
Beliefs influence the honesty of reporting and the quality of communication. They include:
– Belief that accidents are preventable
– Belief in the value of training and continuous learning
– Belief that safety is an investment, not a cost
– Belief that management will support those who report incidents
The adoption of “no -blame” or just culture” will result in an atmosphere of trust that encourages employees to provide important and work-related safety information.
- Perceptions
Perceptions are how the crew interprets the environment, risks, and company intentions. They include:
– Perception of the level of risk in the tasks
– Perception of whether the company truly prioritizes safety
– Perception of whether the procedures are realistic and workable
– Perception of leadership qualities
Perceptions are important because they influence situational awareness and the ability of seafarers to anticipate danger. They determine whether the crew trusts the company and follows procedures even under the pressure of extreme conditions.
The formation of a high-level safety culture also depends on:
• Safety Leadership
• Operational management performance
• Continuous training on safety issues, risk assessment, etc.
• Behavioral Based Safety (BBS)
As mentioned above, the effective development and implementation of Safety Culture is of great importance in shipping, which is characterized by high risks, multinational crews with different cultures and perceptions, complex systems and interdependence of human-systems, processes, machinery, etc.
The implementation of a dynamic safety culture protects human life and the environment by reducing accidents (e.g. collisions, fires, environmental pollution), enhances efficiency (better maintenance, fewer delays) and improves the competitiveness and reputation of shipping companies.
The development of an effective safety culture depends also on factors such as:
Leadership
- The role of management is crucial.
- “Top Management Commitment” determines whether safety policies will be put into practice.
Training
- Continuous training and exercises (drills, emergency response, risk assessment)
- Development of interpersonal skills (soft skills)
Communication
- Open channels for reporting incidents without fear of punishment.
- Exchange of feedback and lessons learned.
Management Systems
- ISM Code / SMS, ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, 50001, TMSA (Tanker Management and Self-Assessment).
- Used Risk Management System tools
Human factor
- Fatigue, stress, multiculturalism and language affect performance
- Physical and mental health and safety are important
Implementing Safety Culture in shipping is a long-term process and the transition from theories to practice requires a strategy with specific stages and steps. These include management commitment, defining a safety policy and clear objectives. and targets. Exemplary behavior from senior executives and continuous evaluation.
Effectively implementing a safety culture is not an easy task. A basic requirement is a good, properly qualified, trained, efficient and dedicated human resources on ships and in offices.
In this regard, I want to emphasize that in shipping companies with low retention rate, that is, when they change personnel regularly, it is difficult to pass on the concepts and procedures related to Safety Culture. On the contrary, companies that have achieved high rates of employees who have worked for many years in the organization are in a much better situation. However, we are going to mention the expected difficulties related to the implementation of Safety Culture:
- Resistance to change from crews or executives.
- Different culture among sseafarers .
- Cost of investment in education and technology.
- Bureaucracy and excessive emphasis on compliance instead of substance.
For better and more effective implementation, Safety Culture of a company must be assessed and measured with the help of an organization specialized in the investigation of human behavior. Safety culture assessment can assess the level of implementation using a scientific method, identify existing gaps and design a dynamic roadmap of actions for related improvement!
With the advancement of technology, the safety culture in shipping will continue to evolve and will certainly help manage future challenges such as alternative fuels, digital transformations and autonomous ships.
The human-centric approach, however, will remain central, as the human, in our case the seafarer, will continue to be the key link in the safety chain.
Safety culture in shipping is a vital commitment that is cultivated through leadership, training, communication and dedication of all members of the shipping organization.
In addition to commitment, its implementation requires investment and continuous effort. Only in this way can the shipping industry reduce accidents, protect the environment and ensure sustainable development in the future.
However, we must never forget that safety is a constant battle with human temperament and nature.
Capt. Michalis Fragkias
