Unsafe conditions onboard — when to refuse work
Vessel is operating in conditions that endanger crew or environment. Stop-work authority + ISM Code path.
Immediate action (do this first)
- Stop the unsafe task. Stand clear. Brief the crew.
- Raise the concern with the Master + the Safety Officer in writing (log book + email).
- Request a re-assessment + re-permit before any restart.
- If the Master overrides + the risk is severe: notify the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) directly under ISM Element 4.
Evidence to save
- Photos of the unsafe condition + equipment + work area.
- Risk-assessment paperwork (or its absence).
- Permit-to-work documentation.
- Log book entry of the stop-work decision.
- Communications with the Master + the DPA.
- Names of crew witnesses + their statements.
Escalation chain
- Master + Safety Officer (immediate stop-work)
- Designated Person Ashore (DPA, ISM Element 4) — DPA has direct access to the highest level of management.
- Onboard complaints procedure (MLC A5.1.5)
- Flag-state seafarer-complaint channel
- Port State Control (MLC A5.2.2) — Onshore complaint at the port the vessel is in.
- ISWAN + ITF inspector — Welfare side; can intervene if the safety raise causes retaliation.
Do NOT
- Don't restart the task before a re-assessment + re-permit.
- Don't sign a statement minimising the risk to satisfy the Master.
- Don't refuse to sail without flag-state guidance — the line between refusal and desertion matters.
Related
Primary sources
High confidence
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