ITF Unions in Maersk
Maersk ‘a prime example of safety efforts’
5 August 2008
Safer workplace with “Drive to Zero” programme in US.
Seafarers International Union members are impressed with the positive results from US-based Maersk Line Limited’s efforts to improve the working environment.
David Heindel, Secretary-Treasurer of SIU says: “Our experience with Maersk’s commitment to the health and safety for seafarers is second to none. Their practices and willingness to work with us on programmes exemplifies a culture of caring and respect for its employees.”
Maersk Line’s “Drive to Zero” safety campaign was established to help employees focus on safety and teamwork issues, reducing and eventually eliminating the risks at the workplace. The programme is aimed at all employees from mariners to personnel on shore and two-day “Safety Boot Camps” are held to train mariners.
Health, Safety, Security, Environment and Quality Director at MLL, Patrick Callahan, explains that the MLL Safety Boot Camps provide the mariners with new skills that will help them make their vessels a safer place to work. The intense training sessions focus on all aspects of environment, health and safety culture, including technical, behavioural, and social human factor aspects.
“Participation in the Boot Camps gives MLL management and mariners a chance to interact and share best practices. We get to know one another on a personal level which improves our communication and increases the level of trust between management and our mariners. Trust is the foundation of a healthy safety culture,” he says.
In 2007, MLL conducted five boot camps.
In addition to Boot Camps and safety campaigns, safety council meetings take place once a month.
The safe operating procedures have produced good results as the accident rate has been extremely low by industry standards, says SIU. Last year and this year MLL had no spills.
