SAFETALK - new maritime edition
Set the scene for a good dialogue
about health and safety at sea
Maritime health and safety are essential, and companies continuously strive to enhance a good safety culture technically, organisationally, and not the least at the human level. It’s important to work targeted and systematically with health and safety as many companies do, but sometimes we need new and different tools to get to the next level.
It supports health and safety in a more engaging way and provides knowledge about how work is done in a practical way.
Brand new maritime edition of the SAFETALK dialogue game
With SAFETALK's new maritime edition, shipping companies, technical management companies, HSEQ departments and ship's crews now have the tool to enhance safety and engage crews in a different way of talking about safety in their daily work.
We know from experience that it can be difficult to engage everyone in a good safety dialogue even with the best efforts. Our focus has been on developing a tool that is close to everyday work and use the framework of the game to unlock the potential and experience from seafarers and get a good and fruitful dialogue about safety.
In the maritime version, we the focus is on the special working conditions on board a ship. We dive into topics such as:
The guidelines and procedures in the ISM system and other internal systems
Intervention, complacency and reporting of near-miss and other safety issues
Leadership, communication and cultural differences
How new crew members are onboarded in the safety culture on board
Risks related to handling lifeboats, davits, mooring operation and entering enclosed spaces
How can you use SAFETALK at sea
Safety is not a tick box exercise, it’s something you have to constantly be aware of and work on. The SAFETALK dialogue game offers a nice and easy way to keep the dialogue open and engaging. The game has been tested on board some vessels and was extremely well received by the crews. Here are some of the quotes:
SAFETALK can be used to
as part of onboard safety meetings or exercises
as an addition to ISM reviews
engage at seminars ashore or via online workshops
as part of safety campaigns on selected ships or the entire fleet.
as part of a social element in team events
Read the experiences from the shipping company Ultraship
For us, SafeTalk is like the glue that links a “daily job” with our “Safety Culture”. It’s interesting to see how a Situation Card triggers the knowledge sharing among the crew and how they relate the situation to a hot topic. The exchange of ideas is a great opportunity to identify at an early stage any unsafe situation, which is one of our main focus areas (to improve Safety Reporting). It’s important to mention that the Office is NOT participating in the game, so the Crew can talk openly.
Also, we try to keep it simple, NO additional reports, our Crews only insert a text in the monthly Safety Meeting, and if applicable, they will use the existing reporting channels (Best Practice, unsafe condition/act, Near Miss, etc.). Furthermore, SafeTalk provides a relaxed environment where all opinions are equally valid (regardless of the rank), and thus helps to create a better communication.
Richard F. Chávez
Safety & Training Manager - Marine Standards, Ultraship ApS
Photos from Bulk Carrier “Ultra Osorno”, visit at Port Callao/Peru on Sep.2021. Crew gathered in the Bridge to play SafeTalk.