MARINE GUIDANCE NOTE MGN 365 (M)
Human Element Assessment Tool
Notice to all Shipowners and Operators, Masters and Officers, Classification Societies, Ship Surveyors and all personnel concerned with the implementation, management and operation of the ISM Code and Safety Management Systems
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1.Background
1.1 The prime causal factor in nearly all shipping accidents can be attributed to human element issues occurring at some stage in the ship life cycle. Addressing technological failures alone will lead only to a limited improvement in safety. In order to make significant improvements in safety performance much greater attention must be paid to human element issues.
1.2 The primary vehicle for making improvements in maritime safety is the International Safety Management (ISM) Code. The ISM Code itself provides a good foundation for assessing the safety management system, but the key to its success is the effectiveness of its development and implementation within each company.
1.3 To maximise the effectiveness of the implementation, those responsible for the Code should have the capability to manage the varied and complex nature of human element issues. They should be able to assess human element safety management capability effectively, including the various human and organisational factors involved, and identify measures to improve that capability. HEAT has been developed to assist in this assessment.
2.Human Element Assessment Tool (HEAT)
2.1 The underpinning philosophy of HEAT is to develop an effective safety culture within companies and on board ship. It aims to promote and embed a culture of continuous improvement in safety performance ensuring that human element issues are given regular and effective consideration.
2.2 HEAT is based on the capability maturity model. It provides an assessment of the current level of maturity of the safety management system together with areas where practical improvements can be made. It is designed in an aide-memoir format that builds upon the scope of the SMC and DOC audits by assessing a wider range of safety performance indicators. It is intended to be a pro-active self improvement tool for use on ships and in companies, enabling continuous improvement by identifying latent threats to safety as well as overt unsafe behaviour and practices.
2.3 HEAT is provided in 2 versions.
2.4 Both HEAT-S and HEAT-C are provided in a standard format. However, recognising that the specific needs of individual companies vary, HEAT is sufficiently flexible to enable each company to use only the performance indicators that are most appropriate to its own circumstances whilst retaining the overall integrity of the system.
3.Obtaining HEAT
3.1 HEAT-S and HEAT-C are freely available for download in PDF format .
Alternatively, you can e-mail your request together with your organisation’s contact details to human.element@mcga.gov.uk and quote HEAT-S or HEAT-C in the subject title.
Feedback on your experience using HEAT-C and HEAT-S would be appreciated.
More Information
Seafarer Safety and Health Branch Maritime and Coastguard Agency Bay 1/29 Spring Place 105 Commercial Road Southampton SO15 1EG
Tel :+44 (0) 23 8032 9358 Fax : +44 (0) 23 8032 9251 e-mail:human.element@mcga.gov.uk
General Inquiries:24 Hour Infoline 0870 600 6505
MCA Website Address: www.mcga.gov.uk
File Ref:CG27/006/003
Published:June 2008 Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing
© Crown Copyright 2008
Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas
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