General provisions

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1. General provisions

1.1. Objective

1.1.1. The objective of this code is to provide practical guidance on safety and

health in shipboard work with a view to:

(a) preventing accidents, diseases and other harmful effects on the health of seafarers

arising from employment on board ship at sea and in port;

(b) ensuring that the responsibility for safety and health is understood and remains a

priority for all concerned with maritime transport, including governments,

shipowners and seafarers; and

(c) promoting consultation and cooperation among governments, as well as

shipowners' and seafarers' organizations in the improvement of safety and health on

board ship.

1.1.2. The code also provides guidance in the implementation of the provisions of

the Prevention of Occupational Accidents to Seafarers Convention, 1970 (No. 134), and

Recommendation, 1970 (No. 142), as well as other applicable ILO Conventions and

Recommendations.

1.2. Application

1.2.1. The code covers the safety and health of all seafarers serving on board all

seagoing ships, whether publicly or privately owned, and which are ordinarily engaged

in commercial maritime navigation. However, parts of the code may be applicable to

vessels used in inland waterways or to fishing vessels.

1.2.2. The provisions of this code should be considered as the basic minimum

requirements for protecting seafarers' safety and health.

1.3. General definitions1

1.3.1. For the purposes of this code the following terms have been defined as

follows:

(a) competent authority: a minister, government department or other authority having

power to issue regulations, orders or other instructions having the force of law in

respect of safety and health aboard any vessel registered in their territory or any ship

within their territorial waters and ports;

(b) competent person or competent officer: a rating or an officer possessing adequate

qualifications, such as suitable training and sufficient knowledge, experience and

skill, and including, where appropriate, any certificates required by the competent

authority, to fill a particular position, carry out a specific task, or assume supervisory

1 Use of the male gender in the text should be read as meaning male or female.