Safety Meetings

[j.sabourn]

Whether you agreed with them or not they now appear to be away of life. A whole Industry seems to have been derived from same with well paying and secure jobs. However you have to be a good communicator and to me a good Bull....r at times. My memories are probably of the earlier days and they are probably more professional now. I remember sitting once a week on vessels or installations for a safety meeting looking at coloured graphs about lost man hours through accidents, what was classed as an accident and which ship or rig was going to receive the prize that month for the least loss of man hours. I never got the courage up to ask about all the lost man hours of all the people sitting there talking about it, and whether that counted towards the prize. The basic things when first came into fashion was the wearing of correct gear etc. which I am sure every seaman would know as we had to supply ourselves years ago. Distance off the deck without safety harnesses 3 feet if I remember correctly. As accidents have always happened and the sea is no different no one will ever know how many, if any, these sessions have ever prevented. I hope they have saved some lives somewhere along the line as otherwise would be a big loss of man hours so to speak otherwise. To all those safety officers who still do the job the best of luck and stick with your committment. Cheers John Sabourn

[Louis the Amigo]

Hi shipmates, Hi J Sabourn, In the news garment workers in pakistan killed 200+ [burned to death }due to no heatlh and safety laws, many under age child workers were killed its against the law to employ them today but they make garments' for many british high street stores.How many seaman were killed at sea After the shipping companys flagged out?

[John Pruden]

how many health and safety laws would be broken now tying up topping Derrik's surging head ropes work of a stage bosun's chair using chain stoppers we would have all been out of work how many can you think about?jp

[j.sabourn]

Some ships would never have got past the piers if some of the laws had been taken to the letter. Cheers John Sabourn

[Red Lead Ted]

how many health and safety laws would be broken now tying up topping Derrik's surging head ropes work of a stage bosun's chair using chain stoppers we would have all been out of work how many can you think about?jp

There were many task,s undertaken 40+yrs ago that had to be undertaken by the pure nature of the ship,s the design as in the case of the ship,s decks and superstructure. When a ship looked like a ship. Ask yourself what tasks seaman actually do on board these day,s and then make the comparison. Here is a few things today,s seaman would have to google to understand, Hatch Boards @ Bars and how to fit them were to start for one thing, Tarpaulins, Rope and Chain stopper,s on modern day ship,s are a thing of the past, Repairing Spa Ceiling's i don't think happens anymore, Are there tween decks aboard modern day cargo ship,s, An inside turn would be something a seaman would look for on t.v. come dancing along with a stage, Bosuns Chair they would find in his cabin, A handy Billy would be someone they had sailed with, Topping Derricks thats a duff turned out by the galley, Guy,s Runner,s Stay,s and Blocks they think belong in the olympic,s, A Sheepshank, Cow Hitch, Donkey,s Breakfast, Lizard, Monkey Face, Duck Boards, Gooseneck, Camels, Cowl,s, Fantail, Catting, They would only find on there {HOLIDAY,S ? } After a trip to the {FARMER ?}. I could go on all day and this is a lighthearted post not knocking anyone. But as for a Snatch Block I thing that term is used after a run ashore rather than aboard ship these day,s. ALOFT !!!!!! Well i suppose there could be pigeon flyer,s at sea. Regards Shipmates Terry.

[Captain Kong]

Here is a few jobs Terry, we all did without a Harness, Safety net, Safety Boots , Gloves, Safety Helmets , Boiler suits, Safety Goggles, and a Safe to Work Permit after answering all the questions and ticking them and then signing them after the Mate and Bosun had signed them.

We enjoyed every minute of it before Elf and Safety took over.
.
1 Me up the topmast, my mate Ted on the table, 2, Me doing the lower mast, 3, Me greasing the span wire,
4. Me working over the bow rigging a sling to send the anchor ashore, 5, Loading Logs on an unamed Island in between Borneo and Philipines. No dockers had to dive in under each one with the slings then the rest of the crowd heaved them up on deck. What sharks?
Mr Jobsworth would have had a field day in those days.
Cheers Brian, Happy Days.