Vessel Operations and Seamanship Risk Assessment

Product Overview

This risk assessment covers vessel operations and seamanship activities, from planning and boarding through to deck work, cargo handling and emergency response. It supports task planning by identifying changing conditions, vessel and shore interactions, and risks that need to be managed during the work.

Activities & Risks Covered

This assessment addresses activities and risks including:

• Plan vessel tasks, coordinate activities and communicate changing risks
• Board the vessel and move safely across access points, decks and wharf areas
• Carry out deck work in changing weather, sea and visibility conditions
• Handle mooring and unmooring lines around deck fittings and moving equipment
• Work around cargo areas, hatches, holds and secured loads
• Coordinate work near cranes, lifting gear and suspended loads
• Manage interactions with plant, vehicles and shore traffic at the vessel interface
• Handle ropes, stores, securing gear and other routine seamanship tasks
• Manage fuel, chemical, fume, spill and fire risks
• Prepare for person-overboard events, alarms, first aid and emergency response

Who is this for?

For contractors, workers, supervisors and businesses involved in vessel operations and seamanship activities.

Activities & Hazards Covered

Legislation & References

The template records model guidance used to inform the documented controls. Applicable WHS/OHS laws and adopted Codes vary by state or territory, so confirm the current local requirements when tailoring the assessment:

• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: First aid in the workplace — 3. First aid equipment, facilities and training; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities — 2. The work environment; p. 13.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks — 2. Step 1 — How to identify hazards; p. 12.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of hazardous chemicals in the workplace — 2.1 How to identify which chemicals are hazardous; p. 15.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Hazardous manual tasks — 4.1 The hierarchy of control measures; p. 31.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of fatigue at work — Provide sufficient breaks while at work; p. 30.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing risks of plant in the workplace — Plant used to lift or suspend persons or things; p. 17.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Managing the risk of falls at workplaces — 3.2 Identifying the hazards; p. 16.
• Model guidance: Model Code of Practice: Work health and safety consultation, cooperation and coordination — 3. What is effective consultation?; p. 13.

---

Standard Risk Assessment Features (Click to Expand)

• Activity-specific hazard identification and control measures
• Initial and residual risk ratings
• Assigned responsible persons for each activity
• Risk matrix and assessment classification
• Review, monitoring and sign-off fields
• Site-specific customisation before use