SIU members have helped achieve a significant safety milestone aboard ships operated by Maersk Line, Limited (MLL) – and their employer appreciates the accomplishment.
In a recent communication, the company reported that MLL has gone 12 months in a row without a lost-time incident (LTI) “across every ship in the fleet. This is a remarkable achievement that everyone should take great pride in accomplishing.”
The Maersk message continued, “More than 450 seafarers perform difficult, demanding, and dangerous work safely every day across our fleet. Being able to do so without injury for such a long period in a workplace where even a momentary lapse of attention can result in a ‘bad day’ is impressive. This achievement did not happen by chance. Nor was it the result of any single safety initiative. Instead, our injury-free year was largely due to our seafarers’ commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered to address safety concerns.”
Safety initiatives that have been undertaken through cooperative efforts between the SIU and the company are paying off, according to MLL. The recent letter pointed out, “When seafarers have the freedom to speak their minds, their input improves the effectiveness of our safety program.”
“We have seen several instances where seafarers used their ‘stop-work’ authority, immediately fixed unsafe situations on their own, and reported near misses because there was no fear of retaliation,” said MLL Safety Manager Brian Province. “We want to encourage more of that.”
Moreover, the company reported that in addition to experiencing fewer serious injuries, “we are also seeing a decrease across the board regarding lesser incidents. This long-term trend is a testament to all employees, from the deck plates to the board room, who prioritize safe operations at MLL.”
“There is nothing more important than the health and safety of our seafarers,” said Vice President of Labor and Marine Safety and Standards Ed Hanley. “Creating a culture that values safety feedback irrespective of rank and experience improves the lives of all seafarers and is the right thing to do.”
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