Having the courage to stop unsafe work essentially means using the Stop Work Authority. The Shipboard Management Manual (SMM) provides a very clear definition of Stop Work Authority:
All employees have the authority to stop any unsafe work, and have received a written Stop Work Authority prior joining the vessel.
The meaning is clear; but having the authority to stop unsafe work and actually exercising that authority are two different things. So let us turn our attention to an important part of this month's key focus: courage.
Courage is usually seen as a trait, an ability. It is usually defined as overcoming fear, persevering in the face of adversity, standing up for what is right, even expanding one's horizons. But like most non-physical characteristics, courage is not entirely innate. In the context of stopping unsafe work in a ship setting, courage is rather developed.
The SMM also provides an instruction on how to develop this courage:
The Master shall assure all crew that the authority is real, and that every crew member has the responsibility and authority to stop any work or operation if he suspects that there is any hazard to safety.
Stop Work Authority is hence two-fold; it involves both the courage of the crew member to actually use this authority, and the encouragement from the Master for the crewmember to exercise this authority whenever needed.
The statement 'I have the courage to stop work' is just about encouragement as it is about courage. And this goes not just to the Master but to everyone on board:
Do you encourage using the Stop Work Authority so everyone on board will actually have the courage to stop unsafe work?
Stay safe!
Harald Bauck
VP Risk Management
The statement I have the courage to stop unsafe work is derived from the Odfjell 2020 calendar currently being distributed to the vessels via joining crew. These statements are excerpts from our description of HSSE Excellence, and are recommended as themes for the General Safety Meeting.
