Work Safety - Adverse Weather The Club regularly experiences crew injury claims and. one source of these claims involves activities being undertaken during heavy weather. This article will review some aspects of these risks. Risk alerts Nahush Paranjpye Published: October 14, 2024 Contact author Download article pdf   Case Studies   Recommendations    Considerations Masters and owners have an obligation to ensure ships’ staff are provided with a safe workplace and that they are regularly trained in emergency procedures. Just as masters and owners have a duty of care to provide a safe workplace, crew members have a duty of care to ensure that they themselves work safely and are conscious of the safety of others. While there is a significantly higher exposure to the environment when working on an open deck during adverse weather, there can also be significant risks present in what could be considered sheltered workspaces. Activities may be urgently required to secure the safety of the vessel and its crew. Risks must always be properly identified, evaluated, and mitigated as far as reasonably practicable, particularly when working on and below deck in adverse weather. Risk assessments, procedures, toolbox talks and the appropriate permit to work are particularly important before commencing any task. Contributory factors to heavy weather injury could include: Vessel motions - rogue waves varying in direction and size could induce a sudden and severe roll. Similarly, parametric rolling could result in a dangerous situation on board.  Housekeeping issues – leaks, spills, litter, loose / unsecured floorplates, and other hazards such as unsecured doors, hatches or other accessways etc Tripping hazards (design / construction) Slippery decks (wet / icing / oily) Illumination, ventilation, and air quality Noise, vibrations, and other physical attributes Hot surfaces The need to lift/move heavy loads Condition of ladders, walkways, floorplates, railings