Evaluating the ISM Code: Impact on Maritime Safety and Regulations

This essay provides an overview of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, which sets international safety regulations for ship operations and pollution prevention. It highlights the code's requirement for establishing safety management systems tailored to specific operations while adhering to ISM standards, emphasizing the ship management's responsibility. The essay discusses the applicability of the ISM Code to various vessel types and its significant contribution to seafaring safety. It also explores the role of Safety Management Systems (SMSs) in preventing accidents, while noting potential negative impacts from SMSs and economic competition in ship accidents and navigation. Furthermore, the essay delves into the importance of safety management systems for companies, emphasizing clearly defined expectations, social responsibility, effective communication, good planning, change management, risk awareness, and risk assessment to enhance safety in the maritime industry.

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Introduction
The ISM code is the international safety regulations set for the ships safety operations
and pollution prevention. “According to the ISM code regulations on the sea faring chapter IX, it
is a must for every vessel on the sea to be in line with the code”, Kristine, Stian and Trond,
stated1. The ISM code requires the establishments of the safety guards in line with the safety and
risks which are to be found in ships operations. The safety system is tailored according to the
owner’s specific operation while adhering to the set ISM standards2. The sole responsibility of
the regulation lies on the ships management.
The ISM code is one of the requirements for the three types of vessels stated here in,
regardless of their date of the manufacture is the ISM code3. These vessels are oil tankers, the
heavy cargo craft, as well as the gas carriers which were found to have been on any international
voyage by July 1998. The passenger ship which included the passenger high speed craft in
international waters and the cargo ships with drilling units of not less than 500 gross tonnage on
international waters.
According to Reason, “the research shows that there has been immense contribution in
the seafaring as a result of following the regulations found in the code”4. It has been observed
that SMSs are useful for preventing individual accidents. However, on the matters relating to the
1 Kristine Vedal Størkersen, Stian Antonsen & Trond Kongsvik (2017) One size fits all? Safety management
regulation of ship accidents and personal injuries, Journal of Risk Research, 20:9, 1154-1172, DOI:
10.1080/13669877.2016.1147487
2 Cahill, Anthony, Disasters at sea, (London: Century Publishing, 1990) 45-48
3 Berkenkopf, Kraph, Shipping industry safety management concept,( Lloyds List, 2006) 34-76
4 Reason, J. Human error in shipping industry, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 1990), 65-98

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ship accidents and navigation, there has been observed that the negative effects have been
attributed from SMSs and economic competition.
According to Curtis & Cobham, there has been great difference between the ISM code
regulator’s intention and the industry’s usage of these regulations5.
Safety management system for companies
It is the duty of every company to set safety approaches for its work environment in
accordance to the industries regulations, Jorgensen, Remmen & Mellado, stated6. This includes
the maritime industry. Over the years, there has been evolution of the safety management. Safety
management traditionally was based on safe work practices coupled and emphasis in the
reduction in human error (Pidgeon, 1998)7.
Every sea farer has the right just like any other worker to safety at the work place. It is
the duty of the company to make sure that working on the ship is safe and consequently the
employees are expected to follow the company guidelines in the issues pertaining to their safety
and welfare.
Companies have the duty of creating a culture where everyone is mandated on taking
social responsibility for their safe working environment in order to avoid any incidence and
accidents that can be avoided8.
5 Curtis George., & Cobham Reigh safe practice in business, (New York: Prentice Hall, 2002),165-179
6 Jorgense, Tom. Remme, Anna., & Mellado David. Incorporated organization, (London: Nautical Institute, 2006)
7 University Press Pidgeon, N. , Shaking the kaleidoscope of disasters research, Journal of Contingencies and Crisis
Management, 6(2), 97 – 101(1998)
8 Gill, Nickson. & Shergill Safety Perceptions in the industries, Journal of Air Transport Management, 10, 233 – 239
(2004)

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Initially, focus on safety was mainly on making sure that the workers were given safety in
the work environment as the employer ensured that there was minimal human error in the
protection of the organization to maximize productivity. This brought about the safety and health
act of 1974 which was enacted in the global convention on health and safety at work9 .
From then on, most companies adopted the regulations as a way of preventing accidents
at the individual and the organization level. Below are some of the approaches that the
companies have been using to make their safety management for effective in accordance with the
Ism code of regulation.
Clearly defined expectations
According to Mitroussi, “every work environment demands clear definition of work and
the expectations”10. It is the responsibility of every company to let the workers know what is
expected of them and the responsibility of the employees to do as expected of them. This
eliminates a lot of confusion in the work place and voids issues arising due to unclear
expectations. As one of the safety approaches it is therefore important that seafarers at all level
of the company have a clear definition of their duties and fully understand what is expected of
them.
Waring asserts that it is the duty and the responsibility of the organization to come up
with a safety management system as well as the work-related health and safety policies that are
followed when operating the ship in line with the company’s rules and regulations (1996). The
top management has the mandate to give a report on any happenings to the administration for
refinement.
9 Rahimi, M. integrating planned safety, health and environment, (Ashgate Publishing, 10995) 54-87
10 Mitroussi, M. The development of the security customs of IMO: (Cambridge: Cambridge, 2003)

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Social responsibility is of great importance in sea faring. Every person on board any ship
has the responsibility for his own wellbeing and protection and for the others on board. This
ensures social responsibility. Every person is mandated to follow instructions, measures put into
place in the matters relating to safety as well as following safety procedure that are laid down by
the company. This includes not interfering with any equipment that is set for safety on board and
also reporting to the manager of any defects in devices as well taking precaution on anything that
might interfere with safety of any person on board.
It is of great importance that all people working on the ship or the crew members to have
defined job descriptions. However, every member is free to opt out of work if he or she feels
unsafe to work on board.
Effective communications
Good communication is very important in every work place. Effective communication
ensures safe working environment and increases productivity. In every workplace, there should
be good working systems that ensure good communication from management to the junior staff.
This should be a two way system. Where it is important to have information and knowledge that
can be relied on when need arises. There should be effective system put into place to help the
organization reach out to its crew members at all times and vice versa.11 An effective
communication ensures that; every person understands their roles and responsibilities and that
there is no multiplication of roles which can create confusion and low productivity.
It also ensures that orders given are well understood, well acknowledged and acted upon.
11 Hale Arate. Safety management in production, (London: LLP 2005)

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This is of great importance especially to the watch keepers and changing crews in disseminating
the safety information between them. Any written information in terms of posters or signs should
be clear and well understood. This is inclusive of any safety alerts and memos which should be
clear and well understood.
Feedback and suggestion is encouraged on the safety observations. Every safety meeting
in and out of the company should be well documented in minutes and reports well distributed to
necessitate clear communication as well as acting upon any new report. Clear system should be
put into place in reporting any problems and also in finding solutions. This should be more
effective when developed in conjunction with all the stakeholders in the company.
When communicating, clear language should be used. There should be a uniform
language to be used in the ship and incase of having multicultural crew, care should be exercised
in order to have clear communication in understanding of information given. Face to face
communication is normally encouraged in order to avoid misunderstandings.
Good planning
Effective planning is very essential in every company. This ensures that there is
occupational health and safety at work. Proper planning in any organization ensures that there is
awareness, well coordinated activities and effective communication is adhered to at all times
(Jorgensen, Remmen, & Mellado 12).
In everything that the management does they should consider the outcome and the effects
that this might have on the seafarers in regards to their safety. It is important to be cautious on
what might cause harm and what can be done to prevent the harm.
12 Jorgense, Tim, Remmen & Mellado David. Incorporated organization (London: Nautical Institute, 2006)

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The measures included by the ship managers in ensuring safety management system in
planning is by effecting an effective planning process which includes participation of all parties
involved in the company. This includes clear instructions for required activities issued as well as
providing adequate time and resources for the same13
Management of change
Change management is how companies adapt to new processes in the operations such as
the handover procedures of new staff, new systems of work as well as navigational practices.
Change management is crucial in every company.
It is however important to note that there are some changes which cannot be controlled
quickly. For instance personnel change; change to the operations, all these takes time to become
effective and so managing the change is not easy.
In order to have effective safety management, the shipping companies ensure that the
changes are necessary, they are well planned and managed, well communicated way before they
are effected, and the necessary consultation has been done 14.
In addition the managers ensure that the change is well implemented and the impact on
the operations is well understood by all the stakeholders. By doing so, the safety system in the
operations is affected well and guaranteed.
Risk awareness and risk assessment
Risk awareness
13 Card, Hela. Safety in industries, Quality shipping: (pp. 22-29). (New York: Prentice Hall. (1998).
14

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Most companies ensure that they fully inform their crew members of any risk involved in
the course of the voyage. When seafarers are conscious of the risks involved in their wellbeing,
protection and interests when undertaking their voyage, they are able to keep away from the risks
and stay safe.15 This safe guards their lives and is one of the best measures that eth companies
undertake.
The seafarers are able to get this knowledge through the risk management exercises. This
is undertaken through instructions in both theory and useful application, disseminating
information to all stakeholders, scrutiny, having clear directives on how to go about the risks,
supervision and personal experience.
It is important to educate the seafarers of any hazard or risks that they can get involved in
the course of their work. Companies introduce a safe working culture in the workplace in order
to facilitate safety in the workplace.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment is where by hazards in the workplace are identified, analyzed and
evaluated accordingly. The process involves analyzing the level of risk, giving consideration to
those that are in danger and consequently evaluating whether hazards are effectively controlled.16
In order to make their safety system more effective, companies correctly and accurately
identify all possible hazards, identify anyone in danger; determine those who are at the risk of
being harmed. In addition, companies are able to determine the severity of the risk, identify
15 Reason Johnson, managing the risks of organizational accidents, (Aldershot: Ashgate, 1997)
16Waring, Safety in management systems, (London: Chapman & Hall, 1996).

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inconsequential risks and in addition document the findings. The basis for implementing the risk
management and improving control measures is also very crucial.
The companies as well provide a starting point for regular review and updating the
stakeholders. Any danger evaluation undertaken must deal with risks to the work-related health
and protection of the seafarers.
Chapters 8, 10 and 18 of the ISM code advices clearly on how to handle the individual
shielding equipment, the management of the operations equipments and using the work
apparatus. The chapter also addresses the risks involved while working in the seas and
consequently recommends measures to address those risks.
The assessment of risks should not be complicated and should be suitable for all. The
level of the risk assessment should be equal to the level of precautions undertaken. The risk
assessment should be a continuous process. According to Anderson17, this should be done
regularly and any risk in the working environment must be now and then.
Accountability
In order to maintain a safe living and working environment, equal responsibility should
be adhered by all. Everyone is entitled to a role that affects the others. Accountability is accepting
responsibility either at a personal level or a public level. In the shipping industry, the management is
accountable for decisions and laws affecting its workers, while the workers are accountable for their
actions and behaviors18 .
17 Anderson Peter, The guide to the legal and insurance implications, Implementing ISM code (London: Nautical
Institute 2005)
18 Flin Rein. The management influence on safety. Human Factors, 261 - 268. (New York:
Prentice Hall, 2003)

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Accountability is important at all times. However it cannot be effective without well
defined guidelines, responsibilities, consequences of any behavior as well as practicing fairness
and transparency in all undertakings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ISM regulations contribute to safety in most of the activities found on
the vessels as they prevent unpredicted risks found in the vessels. However, companies are
mandated to effect approaches that can make their safety management system more effective in
accordance with the regulatory intention.
Bibliography
Kristine Vedal Størkersen, Stian Antonsen & Trond Kongsvik (2017) one size fits all? Safety
management regulation of ship accidents and personal injuries, Journal of Risk
Research, 20:9, 1154-1174
Anderson, P. The guide to the legal and insurance implications, Implementing ISM code
London: Nautical Institute, 2005
Berkenkopf, K. Shipping industry safety management concept, Lloyds List, 2006

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Curtis, G., & Cobham, R. G. safe practice in business, New York: Prentice Hall, 2002.
Deker, S. Understanding human error, Ashgate Publishing 2006
Cahill, R. A. Disasters at sea, London: Century Publishing, 1990.
Card, J. H. , Safety in industries, Quality shipping: (pp. 22-29). New York: Prentice Hall, 1998.
Flin, R. The management influence on safety. Human Factors, 261 - 268. New York:
Prentice Hall, 2003
Gill, N. K., & Shergill, G. T., Safety Perceptions in the industries, Journal of Air
Transport Management, 10, 233 – 239, 2004.
Hale, A. R.. Safety management in production, London: LLP, 2005.
Jorgensen, T. H., Remmen, A., & Mellado, M. D. Incorporated organization. London:
Nautical Institute, 2006
Karapetrovic, S. Management systems and standards, London: Century Publishing, 2002
Mitroussi, M. The development of the security customs of IMO: Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press Pidgeon, N. (1998). Shaking the kaleidoscope of disasters research,
Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management, 6(2), 97 – 101, 2003
Rahimi, M. Integrating planned safety, health and environment, Ashgate Publishing, 1995
Reason, J. Human error in shipping industry, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 19990.
Reason, J. Managing the risks of organizational accidents, Aldershot: Ashgate. 1997.
Waring, N. Safety in management systems, London: Chapman & Hall. 1996.