1 April 2025

by Adam James

The new edition of the code of safe working practices for merchant seafarers (“the code”) was issued on 24th March 2025 after consultation with industry.

 
The code is an authoritative best practice manual on health and safety on board ships and is endorsed by the National Maritime Occupational Health and Safety Committee (NMOHSC). It deals with the regulatory framework for health and safety on board ship, safety management and statutory duties underlying the advice and gives practical information on safe working.

Following stakeholder engagement and review by the COSWP Working Group (Which included feedback from British Marine), the Maritime and Coastguard Agency have redesigned and modernised the Code to improve its structure, ensure consistency and simplify its language.

In addition, in various chapters references have been updated including the sections on the movement of vessels, hand arm and whole body vibration and boarding arrangements.

A new chapter on Shipyard safety was deemed necessary to help with awareness to unexpected and unfamiliar risks when ships are in the shipyard.

The Code provides guidance on safe working practices for many situations that commonly arise on ships, and the basic principles can be applied to many other work situations that are not specifically covered.

British Marine members can obtain further guidance on this subject by contacting the technical team: Technical@britishmarine.co.uk

A Link to the online version of COSWP 2025 can be found here: Code of safe working practices for merchant seafarers 2025 edition - GOV.UK

A full printed version is also available to purchase at: Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers - 2024 Edition: Paperback