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Slide 1 · THE CODE OF
THE CODE OF
SAFE WORKING PRACTICES
COSWP 2026
The Code of Safe Working Practices for
Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) is the
UK's authoritative best practice manual
for health and safety on board ships.
IT PROVIDES:
PRACTICAL GUIDANCE
For safe working on board
GUIDANCE ON
SAFETY MANAGEMENT
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
The regulatory framework and
statutory duties underlying the advice
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
For carrying out work safely
KEY POINT
COSWP has developed into an
internationally recognised maritime
industry standard of best practice.
EXAM FOCUS
SAFE WORK
RISK ASSESSMENT
CONTROL
MEASURES
SAFE
EXECUTION
Slide 2 · PERMIT TO WORK
PERMIT TO WORK
A PERMIT DOES NOT MAKE THE JOB SAFE
A Permit to Work (PTW) is a formal system that ensures a hazardous job is only started when all necessary precautions are taken, the people doing the job know what they are doing, and the person in charge has authorised it.
PERMIT TO WORK
WHAT A PROPER PERMIT MUST ENSURE
1
THE JOB IS IDENTIFIED
Location and exact details of the work.
2
THE RISKS ARE ASSESSED
Preliminary tests and hazards identified.
3
PRECAUTIONS ARE IN PLACE
Isolation, ventilation, gas testing and other controls.
4
SAFEGUARDS ARE MAINTAINED
Required supervision, monitoring and PPE.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
HOT WORK
ELECTRICAL TESTING
ENCLOSED SPACE ENTRY
WORKING AT HEIGHT / OUTBOARD
UNMANNED MACHINERY SPACES
EXAM LINE
"A permit by itself does not make the job safe."
The permit is a control measure within the overall safe working system, not a substitute for proper risk assessment and precautions.
Slide 3 · RISK ASSESSMENT
RISK ASSESSMENT
+ SAFE WORK
BEFORE THE JOB STARTS
THE 4 P's
PEOPLE
Who can be harmed?
POLLUTION
Could the operation cause pollution?
PROPERTY
What equipment or property could be damaged?
PROCESS
Could the operation interrupt or affect the process?
SAFE WORKING SEQUENCE
1
IDENTIFY HAZARDS
Find out what can cause harm.
2
ASSESS THE RISK
Evaluate the likelihood and severity.
3
SELECT CONTROLS
Decide on the control measures.
4
AUTHORISE THE WORK
Issue the Permit to Work and communicate.
5
MONITOR THE OPERATION
Supervise, verify and review continuously.
REMEMBER
The objective is not simply to complete the permit.
The objective is to CONTROL THE HAZARDS before and during the work.
EXAM FOCUS
RISK ASSESSMENT
+
APPROPRIATE SAFEGUARDS
+
CONTROLLED EXECUTION
Slide 4 · SAFE TODAY
SAFE TODAY. SAIL TOMORROW.
COSWP
2026
THE SAFETY STANDARD ON BOARD
SAFE WORK PRACTICES.
ZERO ACCIDENTS. EVERY VOYAGE.
THE RULES
BEHIND
SAFE WORK.
THE FOUNDATION
OF EVERY SAFE
SHIP.
Slide 5 · SAFE TODAY
SAFE TODAY. SAIL TOMORROW.
COSWP
2026
THE AUTHORITATIVE GUIDE TO
SAFE WORKING ON BOARD
The Code of Safe Working Practices
for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) is the
UK Marine and Coastguard Agency's
authoritative best practice manual.
THE RULES BEHIND
SAFE WORK.
The foundation of every
safe ship, every day.
WHAT IS COSWP?
✓ UK MCA publication
✓ Best practice guidance
✓ Health, safety and
safe working procedures
✓ Applicable to UK-flagged
merchant ships
COSWP 2026 Edition
Published: 18 March 2026
KEY TAKEAWAY
COSWP provides the knowledge and tools
for safer operations, stronger compliance
and a safer voyage.
Drafted by SailR from our daily lessons. AI-drawn illustration. Simplified to explain the idea, not to scale. Last updated 19 Oct 2026.
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