HSE: A Way of Thinking and Behaving
Since 2006, all vessels of the SAL fleet are certified for ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 – the highest certification standards obtainable for environmental protection and occupational health and safety. In addition, all new buildings within the fleet are equipped with an Environmental Passport, a Ballast Water Management Plan (BWM) and a Biological Sewage Treatment Plan.
The ongoing implementation of HSE standards on board and ashore is supervised by SAL’s in-house safety/quality management division. Frequent HSE meetings and trainings are held not only on board but also in SAL’s main office to encourage a culture of personal responsibility and awareness that puts HSE on everybody’s agenda.
A sound HSE culture - formula for trust, hope, responsibility and commitment.
Addressing the threat of piracy
The prevalence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and its adjacent territory constitutes a persistent threat to the safety on board. To address these imminent threats, SAL has developed a comprehensive Best Management Practice (BMP) plan that serves as an emergency guideline for all vessels. The BMP includes regulations concerning the transit of high risk areas, actual pirate attacks as well as hostage taking.
All vessels transiting the high risk area are registered for the Group Transport (GT) which is supervised by an international navy support system. A set of special precaution measures has been developed by the company to protect the crew, the vessel and the cargo on board for the duration of the entire transit through this high risk area.
Dressing up for Safety: Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
A comprehensive HSE policy extends to both crew and visitors. Thus protective gear is required for everyone seeking access to the vessels. A set of safety rules and regulations has been developed to guarantee for visitors’ safe stay on board. To further contribute to a safe environment on board, regular accident analyses are conducted.
Our safety culture involves close project monitoring from the planning stages to successful completion. Given the sensitivity of most heavy lift cargoes, risk assessment and maintenance of critical equipment are performed as needed to assure an optimum of safety during loading, discharging and sea passage.
Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Protection Policy
It is the declared health, safety and environmental protection policy of the company to:
- provide for healthy and safe practices in ship operation and a safe working environment
- prevent human injury or loss of life
- avoid damages to the environment, in particular to the marine environment
- establish safeguards against identified risks and hazards
- set measures to control operational and process risks, thus minimizing hazards to our employees, contractors and the general public
- set and review occupational health/environment objectives and targets
- continuously improve HSE-management skills of personnel ashore and onboard the ship, including preparing for emergencies related both to health, safety and environmental protection
- comply with mandatory rules, regulations, legal requirements, industry standards and local applicable laws/requirements
- be prepared for emergencies
- take into account applicable codes, guidelines and standards recommended by International Organizations, Administrations, Classification Societies and other Maritime Organizations
- communicate the content of this policy to our clients, to maintain wide ranging contact on health, safety and environment issues, to improve awareness