https://www.mitags.

org/good-housekeeping-safety/

Good Housekeeping and Safe Working Practices for Vessels at Sea

Proper housekeeping and safe ship working practices ensure a comfortable working environment
and are critical for staying safe on the open water. Establishing and following a set of health and
safety guidelines can keep ships functioning at an optimal level.

In this module, you will learn about maintaining a clean, safe working environment on your cargo
ship, including:

 Why a safety management system is important

 Housekeeping methods for an engine room
 Safety in the wheelhouse
 Maintaining safe galley and dining area conditions
 Tips for keeping living quarters clean
 How to secure gas canisters at sea
 Proper bilge area maintenance
 Recommendations for maritime vessels during a health crisis

Why a Safety Management System Is Important

In the 1980s, there were growing concerns over safety and management standards in the maritime
shipping industry. In response to these concerns, a committee dedicated to promoting safe working
practices on board ships worked to develop a set of guidelines and objectives known as the
International Safety Management (ISM) Code.

The ISM requires all cargo ships to establish a safety management system (SMS), document it and
always keep a copy on board. According to the ISM, every cargo ship safety code and SMS should
have:

 A safety and environmental protection policy.

 Listed procedures for safe ship operations according to legislation and regulations.
 Defined levels of authority and communication lines between personnel.
 A process for reporting and analyzing accidents or areas of concern.

An effective SMS summarizes important information and procedures in one place to guide overall
ship safety and compliance.