WATCH December 2025 A SHARPER FOCUS ON EYE SAFETY AT SEA CREW WATCH | 3 For our final edition of Crew Watch this year, we focus on the importance of health and safety while at sea. From insights into keeping your eyes protected, safety advice during winter months, to advice on the safe handling of heavy steel plates. We've also collected and analysed data on the most common causes of illness and injury claims we receive to get a better understanding of why they happen and how to prevent them. This edition features an exclusive poster from our BSafe campaign, encouraging you to always think about eye safety. You can tear out the poster to display on board. CREW WATCH | CONTENTS CREW WATCH | 3 CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ISSUE TO THE LATEST EDITION OF CREW WATCH Welcome to our December issue of Crew Watch, our third edition of the year. We hope you enjoy reading about key issues affecting seafarers at sea. 2 | CREW WATCH MEGAN DODD EDITOR 6 SAFETY A SHARPER FOCUS ON EYE SAFETY AT SEA ANTHONY GARDNER, LOSS PREVENTION MANAGER, BRITANNIA P&I ANTHONY GARDNER, LOSS PREVENTION MANAGER, BRITANNIA P&I 10 SAFETY CRUSH HAZARDS AT SEA: SAFE HANDLING OF HEAVY STEEL PLATES 128 HEALTH INSIDE THE NUMBERS: BRITANNIA P&I’S MOST COMMON CREW ILLNESS AND INJURY CLAIMS SAFETY BSAFE EYE INJURIES POSTER MEGAN DODD, COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE, BRITANNIA P&I LOSS PREVENTION TEAM, BRITANNIA P&I 4 SAFETY PERSONAL SAFETY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS JOBIN MATHEW, ASSISTANT LOSS PREVENTION MANAGER, BRITANNIA P&I CREW WATCH | 54 | CREW WATCH4 | CREW WATCHCREW WATCH | 5 PERSONAL SAFETY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS JOBIN MATHEW ASSISTANT LOSS PREVENTION MANAGER, BRITANNIA P&I KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER • Ensure the vessel is stocked with sufficient warm clothing well in advance of entering cold weather. Clothing should be ordered in appropriate sizes for all crew members. Special consideration may be required for female crew, who may require different sizing considerations. • As a minimum, crew should be supplied with layered cold-weather clothing such as thermal base layers, balaclavas, parka coats, winter boiler suits, insulated gloves, winter socks, and safety boots suitable for icy conditions. • Cold weather can reduce the sensitivity and dexterity of hands. This may increase the likelihood of error, delay or injury when performing tasks that require fine motor skills. Consider obtaining a stock of gloves that allow precision handling. • Wet clothing is a major risk when operating in cold weather, resulting in loss of body heat at a faster rate. Suitable waterproof protective clothing should be available for when work in wet weather is required. • Touching metal in freezing temperatures with bare skin can result in a painful injury, with the heat and moisture of skin causing a bond to the surface. • Crew members should receive training on the effects of cold weather on the human body and recognition of potential health risks such as hypothermia and frostbite. • The ship should carry enough salt or de-icing agents to treat decks and embarkation areas to prevent ice build-up. • Slippery, icy decks are a major risk. Measures must be taken to minimise slip hazards and ensure safe working surfaces. • Special attention must be paid to dietary requirements. Crew members need access to higher-calorie foods to help the body generate heat and cope with cold exposure. • Drinking plenty of water is also crucial, as dehydration can occur easily in cold weather. Warm drinks can be a way to provide co