Revised Human Element Checklist enters force immediately
A revision of the IMO Human Element Checklist submitted to the IMO by the Human Element Industry Group (HEIG) of which the IMarEST is a member, has now been approved by the Marine Safety Committee and Marine Environment Protection Committee and enters force immediately.
Martin Shaw, President Elect and past chair of the IMarEST Human Element SIG and HEIG representative says:
“The correct use of this checklist will ensure that the Human Element and other operational issues are considered at the earliest stage of developing new ‘outputs’ by IMO to ensure any changes that affect the operations of ships have been risk assessed and mitigations put in place. In addition to the effect on safety it should also reduce implementation and operation costs.”
HEIG raised its concerns in 2018 about the effectiveness of the original checklist which was introduced in 2006. The group felt that while initially effective, changes in IMO process and organisation had reduced its effectiveness and analysis by the group confirmed that the checklist was not being properly completed.
The IMO unanimously approved the and welcomed the proposal for a revision by HEIG members. Having been delayed for two years due to the COVID pandemic, the revisions were recently reviewed and accepted. Martin adds: “This is indicative of the respect for the industry group.”
Martin concludes: “Both original and revised versions cover issues that go beyond a strict interpretation of the human element. This was maintained in the revision to ensure important issues were not missed and to avoid the creation of a second document. The new document could be better described as a ‘Management of Change’ Process.”
The revision consists of three parts: -
- Revision to the ‘Organisation and Method of Work Document….’ which governs the work of MSC/MEPC.
- Guidance for completion of the checklist which is included as an Annex to the above document
- The checklist which is included as an Appendix.