Selected posters, banners and slogans should be rotated at frequent intervals. Safety magazines, bulletins and newsletters can effectively promote health and safety awareness as can the screening of selected videos. Internal competitions between vessels or departments, for example, can generate tremendous enthusiasm for the programme.
A suggestion scheme can be a valuable addition to any health and safety program. It is critically important that all suggestions– no matter the value, practicality or validity – are acknowledged by theSkipper / management. Without active feedback, the incentive and desire to motivate others to use similar avenues to communicate the safety ideas to the rest of the organisation will be lost.
The “award” need not be financial. A restaurant voucher for the crew member (and partner), an article in the local newspaper, a photograph and story on the vessel & company notice boards, Facebook, etc are all powerful motivators.
Another very effective method of on-going communication is the concept of using “toolbox talks” related to possible hazards applicable to task in hand. Crew are often instructed to perform tasks which could result in injury, disease or damage causing accidents, without much forethought being given to accident prevention. To minimise the risk of such accidents happening, a preview or run-through of the task by the supervisor and the crew member is recommended. Before starting the task, the discussion should cover the steps of the task together with the equipment required and the precautions to be taken.
