(www.MaritimeCyprus.com) The Code of Safe Working Practices (COSWP) provides guidance on improving health and safety on board vessels and articulates how statutory obligations should be fulfilled. The Code details the regulatory framework for health and safety on board ship, safety management and statutory duties underlying the advice in the Code and the areas that should be covered when introducing a new recruit to the safety procedures on board.
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has updated the code, and below you can find the latest version as of today: Amendment 6, October 2021.
Key features
Amendment 6 includes the following updates:
| Chapter | Title / Paragraph Number (old reference if altered) | Reason for 2021 Amendment | 2021 Amendment Title / Paragraph Number |
| Chapter 3 – Living On Board | 3.6 Avoiding the effects of fatigue | Following the outcome recommendation of MAIB report Seatruck Progress
MGN 638 Human Element Guidance – Distraction: Mobile Phones and Personal Devices was developed. This amendment adds some from MGN 638.
| 3.6.3 Preventing fatigue inclusion of reference to using electronic devices
New Section 3.15 Mobile Phones and Other Personal Electronic Devices |
| Chapter 4 – Emergency Drills and Procedures | 4.1.7 4.2.8 4.2.9
4.4 Abandon Ship Drills
4.9 Action in the event of a dangerous space emergency | MSN 1722 (M+F) Guidelines for Crews for the Purpose of Launching Lifeboats and Rescue Boats from Ships making Headway through the Water. - Incorporation of relevant content
Stakeholder comment on consultation | 4.1.7 Added wording. 4.2.8 Amended wording. 4.2.9 Added new final sentence. 4.4.10, 4.4.11, 4.4.12 & 4.4.13 Insertion of new sections. New annex 4.2 Precautions to be taken when carrying out launching drills 4.9.2 Added wording. |
| Chapter 11 – Safe Movement on Board Ship | 11.6 Guarding of Openings
11.10 Entry into dangerous (enclosed spaces)
11.12 Adverse weather | MCA adoption of YDSA equivalence proposal for small commercial vessels : 1m guardrail height
Stakeholder comment on consultation
Stakeholder comment on consultation
| 11.6.4 Insertion of new paragraph.
11.10.2 reference to Chapter 15.1.5 & 15.1.6 added – identifying dangerous spaces
11.12.3 Added new final sentence. |
| Chapter 12 – Noise, Vibration and Other Physical Agents | 12.9 Noise arising from music and entertainment | Amended to reflect Health and Safety Executive (HSE) current policy and resources. | 12.9.1 Amended wording. |
| Chapter 14 – Permit to Work Systems
| Annex 14.1.1 Permits to work entry into dangerous (enclosed) spaces | Stakeholder comment on consultation, amendments increase clarity on procedures. | Annex 14.1.1 Annex review and updated. |
| Chapter 15 – Entering Dangerous (Enclosed) Spaces | 15.8 Safety precautions before entry 15.11 Additional requirements for entry into a space where the atmosphere is suspect or known to be unsafe 15.13 Breathing apparatus and resuscitation equipment | Stakeholder comment on consultation, amendments ensure increased clarity on entry procedures. | 15.8.10 Added new section.
15.11.1 Removed wording.
15.13.1 Added new section. |
| Chapter 17 – Work At Height | 17.1 Introduction 17.2 General Annex 17.1 Emergency planning for work at height | Amendment alignment with HSE guidance and as outlined within MGN 410 Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Work at Height) Regulations 2010 | 17.1.1 Added wording. 17.2.1 Wording removed. 17.2.2 Added wording and new final sentence. 17.2.6 Added new final sentence. Annex 17.1 Amended wording to point 5. |
| Chapter 18 – Provision, Care and Use of Work Equipment | 18.28 Ropes and wires 18.29 | IMO Circ 1620 Guidelines for inspection and maintenance of mooring equipment including lines | 18.28 Section review with new wording and updated guidance. |
| Chapter 19 – Lifting Equipment and Operations | 19.4 Thorough examination and inspection | Clarification of the examination period for lifting equipment. Reference to HSE’s “Thorough Examination of Lifting Equipment (INDG422)”. | 19.4.2 Added wording and review of bullet points. New Table 2 – Inservice examination periods |
| Chapter 20 – Work on Machinery and Power Systems | 20.7 Auxiliary machinery and equipment
20.17 Storage batteries: general
20.23 Valves and semi-conductor devices 20.23.3
| MSN 852 Using diesel engine-starting aids with flammable mixtures – outdated notice for withdrawal but with more current information on battery safety added.
Review of COSWP section to incorporate current guidance.
Stakeholder comment on consultation
MSN 646 Toxic Substances in Electronic Devices – outdated notice for withdrawal. Review of COSWP section to incorporate updated guidance.
| 20.7.7 New section.
20.17.5 & 20.17.6 Added new sections.
20.23.3 Section reviewed and split with 20.23.4
Remaining section number sequence altered |
| Chapter 26 – Anchoring, Mooring and Towing Operations | 26.1 Introduction
26.2 Anchoring and weighing anchor
26.3 Making fast and casting off
26.6 Safe Mooring of domestic passenger craft and ships’ launches at quays
| Review of COSWP Chapter and sections to incorporate current guidance.
Advice concerning keeping clear of any area that could be reached by mooring equipment or ropes.
Stakeholder comment on consultation
MGN 648 COSWP Self Mooring Operations. Notice to be incorporated into the next COSWP amendment then withdrawn.
| 26.1.3 Added wording. 26.2.1 Added references to current industry guidance and best practice. 26.2.6 Added wording. 26.3.7 Added wording.
26.6.4 Added wording
26.6.7 & 26.6.8 Added new sections
New Section 26.7 Self Mooring Operations
Annex 26.3 – Added new annex: Examples of mooring arrangements |
Click on the below image to download the full latest version of the MCA COSWP:
Source: UK MCA
