NAB3040 Maritime Health, Safety and Environment

Contents and structure

This course provides students with an introduction to various aspects of health, environment, and safety (HSE) on board ships and within shipping companies. The course emphasizes how HSE efforts function as an organizational tool for the responsible operation of vessels.

Key topics covered in this course include:

• Safety and Emergency Management: Students will gain an understanding of the principles and practices of safety management and emergency preparedness in maritime environments. They will be introduced to the organizational frameworks that influence safety work on board ships and within shipping companies, including statutory requirements for companies’ safety management systems. The instruction covers central theories and models of understanding within organizational safety, based on the Regulation on Safety Management Systems for Norwegian Ships and Mobile Offshore Units.
• Work Environment: This module provides students with knowledge about the conditions necessary to ensure a fully responsible working environment and safe working conditions on board ships, safeguarding both physical and mental health. The module is based on the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority’s working environment model and covers chemical, physical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial, and organizational factors. It also introduces students to methods for risk assessment. The Regulation on the Working Environment, Safety and Health for Those Working on Board Ships (the ASH Regulation) forms the basis for assessing whether the working environment complies with legal requirements.

By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory requirements and organizational frameworks that support health, environment, and safety in the maritime industry. They will be able to assess and improve HSE conditions to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge

Students:

• have broad knowledge of key topics, theories, issues, processes, tools, and methods within the field.
• have knowledge of factors in the working environment and the consequences for employees’ health, well-being, and welfare when exposed to adverse physical and psychological stressors.
• have knowledge of the characteristics of a health-promoting workplace.
• have knowledge of various methods for risk analysis.
• are familiar with the ASH Regulation and the Regulation on Safety Management Systems for Norwegian Ships and Mobile Offshore Units, including their requirements and how these should be upheld.
• have knowledge of theories and models of understanding related to organizational safety and safety management.
• are familiar with research and development work within the field of HSE.
• have knowledge of the field’s history, traditions, distinctiveness, and role in society.
• are able to update their knowledge within HSE work.

Skills

Students:

• can carry out a working environment assessment in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• can plan and conduct a risk analysis and implement various measures.
• can use tools and methods for systematic safety work.
• can apply professional knowledge and relevant results from research and development to practical issues related to working environment and safety on board and within shipping companies.
• can locate, assess, and refer to information and academic material and present it in a way that illuminates a problem.
• can reflect on their own professional practice from an HSE perspective and adjust it under supervision.

General Competence

Students:

• have insight into relevant professional and ethical issues related to HSE work.
• can plan and carry out varied tasks and projects over time, both independently and as part of a group, in accordance with ethical requirements and guidelines.
• can communicate key subject matter such as theories, issues, and solutions.
• can exchange views and experiences with others in the field and contribute to the development of good practice.
• are familiar with innovation and trends in HSE within the maritime industry.
• can plan and carry out work operations where HSE considerations are assessed and contribute to the development of good HSE practices within shipping companies.
• Understand factors in the working environment and their consequences for employees' health, well-being, and welfare when exposed to adverse physical and psychological stressors.
• Know what characterizes a health-promoting workplace.
• Have knowledge of various risk analysis methods.
• Are familiar with the ASH Regulations and the Regulations on Safety Management Systems for Norwegian Ships and Mobile Offshore Units, including their requirements and how they should be maintained.
• Have knowledge of theories and conceptual models related to organizational safety and safety and emergency management.
• Are familiar with research and development within the field of HSE.
• Understand the history, traditions, distinctive features, and societal role of the discipline.
• Have knowledge of maritime English related to the working environment and safety.
• Can update their knowledge of safety management processes and HSE work.

Skills:

Students:

• Can conduct a workplace assessment and apply the requirements of laws and regulations as well as various theories, processes, and methods to evaluate factors in the working environment.
• Can plan and carry out a risk analysis, assess risks, and implement appropriate measures.
• Can use tools and methods to systematically work with HSE management.
• Can apply professional knowledge and relevant research and development results to practical issues related to the working environment and safety on board and within shipping companies.
• Can find, assess, and reference information and academic material and present it in a way that highlights a specific issue.
• Can reflect on their own professional practice in an HSE perspective and adjust their approach under supervision.

General Competence:

Students:

• Have insight into relevant professional and ethical issues related to HSE work.
• Can plan and carry out diverse tasks and projects that extend over time, both independently and as part of a group, in accordance with ethical standards and guidelines.
• Can communicate key subject matter, including theories, issues, and solutions, both in writing, orally, and through other relevant forms of expression.
• Can exchange views and experiences with others within the field and contribute to the development of good practices.
• Are familiar with innovation and development processes.
• Can plan and carry out work operations where HSE considerations have been assessed and contribute to the development of good HSE practices within shipping companies.

Entry requirements

None.

Recommended previous knowledge

None.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminar days, group work.

Compulsory learning activities

1. Mandatory participation in seminar days, as determined by the course coordinator at the start of the semester.
2. Additional assignments or activities, as determined by the course coordinator at the start of the semester, to ensure the best possible alignment of teaching and maximize student learning outcomes.

Assessment

Written school exam, 5 hours.

The exam can be conducted digitally.

Grading scale: A-F.

Examination support material

Approved calculators: Casio fx-991EX and Casio fx-991CW. A basic calculator is also allowed (see: Examination support material).

More about examination support material

Course reductions

• NAB2013 - Tryggleiksleiing - Reduction: 5 studypoints
• NABP3005 - Helse, arbeidsmiljø og sikkerheit - Reduction: 10 studypoints
• EVN1017 - Innføring i risikoforståing av kjemikalier om bord på skip - Reduction: 1.5 studypoints
• EVN1018 - Innføring i fysisk helserisiko i maritim næring - Reduction: 1.5 studypoints