Occupational Health Safety Culture Among Cadet Seafarers in the Philippines

Abstract

The maritime workplace remained to be one of the world's high risk occupations (Nielsen et al, 2013). Maritime standards, competencies. and health and safety policies and practices were proven to be inadequate in preventing work related injuries and accidents on board seafaring vessels. It was in this light that safety culture was adopted ill the shipping industry. The study aimed to compare the tanker and bulk shipboard safety cultures among cadet seafarers using cross sectional design. A total of 116 respondents participated in the study (101 PMMA cadet seafarers, 2 maritime educators, 7 maritime officers, 5 seafarers and 1 maritime administrator). The study conducted a survey adopting the Shipboard Safety Culture Questionnaire (American Bureau of Shipping, Inc.), key informant interviews and a focus group discussion. Data gathered from KII and FGD were classified by themes. Computed chi square scores revealed no significant difference between the tanker and bulk shipboard safety cultures in all eight safety factors. In conclusion, tanker and bulk shipboard safety cultures yielded no significant difference, despite more reported unsafe work conditions/ acts and on board health injuries/ accidents in bulk vessel types. The study recommended coordinating with the International Maritime Organization in identifying and accrediting regional maritime groups to monitor health and safety practices on board; and to actively involve maritime schools, maritime training centers and shipping companies in revitalizing safety culture promotion and heightening safety practices in the work place.