THE Myanmar Seafarers’ Federation (MSF) has issued an advisory for Myanmar seafarers to strictly observe five key guidelines to prevent injuries and ensure safety on board ships.
These guidelines state that any task must be carried out strictly in accordance with designated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and instructions. For a potentially hazardous task, they should not accept the work immediately. Instead, prioritizing safety, they should systematically report and consult with their relevant senior officers without delay.
Similarly, proper safety gear and equipment must be fully worn whenever entering the workplace. If working conditions are deemed hazardous, every crew member on board has the “Stop Work Authority” to temporarily halt operations. The MSF also advised seafarers to always remain vigilant for the safety of both themselves and their coworkers, and to fully utilize their Rest Hours.
According to the seafarers’ community, a tragic incident occurred on 7 May aboard the foreign cargo ship MV Guo Qiang 8. Two Myanmar seafarers serving as fitters, Ko Win Htut Win (aka) Ko Thae Maung and Ko Oak Soe Aung, lost their lives due to oxygen deprivation inside an enclosed engine room.
The MSF continuously provides support regarding workplace difficulties, fatalities, and scams and states that anyone in difficult situations is welcome for consultation at the federation. — MT/ZN