Health, Safety & Environment Policy

Purpose and scope

This policy addresses health, safety and environmental considerations in TWS Maritime Service's attendance aboard vessels, at terminals, in cargo areas and during related travel and office work. It applies within the agreed assignment and each person's competence.

The ILO's occupational safety and health framework emphasizes preventing harm at work. The IMO International Safety Management Code provides maritime context for risk management and pollution prevention. These references do not establish TWS certification.

Planning and responsibility

Before attendance, clarify the task, access arrangements, responsibilities and relevant site requirements. Planning should consider changing weather, fatigue, vessel access, moving equipment, cargo characteristics and other hazards appropriate to the location.

Work must be assigned to competent people with suitable information, equipment and supervision. Coordination with the vessel or terminal should establish the limits of the surveyor's role and arrangements for communicating safety concerns.

Safe decisions

Personnel must observe applicable vessel, terminal and workplace controls. Enclosed spaces, work at height and other high-risk activities require the responsible operator's specific arrangements and competent authorization. This policy is not an operational procedure or authorization for hazardous work.

The Code of Ethics recognizes stopping an activity where serious risk or an unsafe condition exists. Resumption requires escalation and reassessment. Commercial urgency must not determine whether an unsafe task proceeds.

Personnel should know the responsible local emergency contact and follow site emergency arrangements. Response tasks remain with authorized, trained personnel; a survey assignment does not create an emergency response capability.

Health and learning

Working arrangements should consider rest, fitness for assigned duties and respectful communication. Personal health information requires appropriate confidentiality, with reference to the Privacy Policy.

Incidents, near misses and material changes in conditions should inform review and corrective action, with suitable records and assigned follow-up. General concerns can be raised through Contact TWS. This website channel does not replace local emergency services or immediate site reporting.