New and Old Maritime Industries: Future Occupational Health Challenges

About this course

As traditional maritime industries evolve and newer industries become more established, what does the future hold? The course will look at the current occupational health practices across the sectors of the maritime industry – what is best practice, what is lacking in regulation and application?

From the more established merchant shipping and offshore petroleum industry to the diverse fishing sector and in the newer areas of wind farms and fish agriculture – what are the current issues, what can we learn from each other, how can we cooperate and what challenges will the future bring?

Course objectives

The course will review occupational health practice and challenges across the maritime sector. In particular, we will look at how these may change as we move into the future and as other industries develop.

Key to the course is identifying areas of common interest between the different sectors of the maritime industry, exploring lessons learnt that can be shared between sectors and looking for ways that we can cooperate moving forward.

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Main topics

The main topics of the course will be:

The worker

• What is the workplace in the different sectors?
• Mental health issues in different industries
• Changes in job demands in a streamlined workforce
• The challenges for the remote worker (autonomous ships etc)

Regulation

• Occupational health and safety regulation in the different industries
• The challenges of working with different regulations for different tasks
• The role of research in developing regulation
• Guidelines for medical selection in the new industries

Exposure

• Changing practice in the offshore industry
• How is exposure to new chemicals monitored and regulated? What are the new challenges?
• New achievements in personal protection

Climate

• Working in all weathers
• Climate change
• Exploring remote areas

• Occupational health professionals
• Professionals in the field of maritime medicine with an interest in occupational health
• Maritime professionals with an interest in occupational health and the working environment
• HR directors and staff
• HSE personnel
• Workers unions across the maritime industry

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Target groups

• Occupational health professionals
• Professionals in the field of maritime medicine with an interest in occupational health
• Maritime professionals with an interest in occupational health and the working environment
• HR directors and staff
• HSE personnel
• Workers unions across the maritime industry

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Subject background

The maritime industry consists of many different sectors, many of which are often overlooked as we focus on shipping. However, we should include such areas as

• Offshore petroleum industry
• Fishing
• Offshore wind farms
• Fish agriculture

In some sectors occupational health practice is well regulated, well established and an integral part of the business. This maybe less so in other sectors and in the newer industries much still needs to be developed in terms of regulation, practice etc. As an industry it is important that we consider what constitutes good practice, what are the challenges faced in each sector and what can we do better. What can we learn from each other and are there opportunities to cooperate? In an ever-challenging work environment, as industries change and develop, what does the future hold and how can we improve working conditions for all employees across this diverse industry?

The importance of the north has increased internationally. The utilization of natural resources, new trade routes through ice-free passages and expanded tourism have increased human activity in these areas. The exposure to extreme climatic conditions may be challenging to the health, safety and performance of personnel working in these areas as well as people visiting cold areas. Knowledge about health, safety and smart protective solutions are important to handle such challenges.

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General course fee and cancellation information

The courses and workshops vary in price. Please note that the course fee does not cover meals or accommodation. The course fee and day-package fee are invoiced after the registration deadline.

Travel arrangements

Please refrain from booking any travel tickets until we have confirmed the course. The confirmation, which will be sent at the latest after the registration deadline, will include detailed information on the payment of the course fee and day-packages, as well as information on practical arrangements. Please note that you are not insured by NIVA.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations received by 4th of September 2024: full refund
Cancellations received by 5th of September 2024 or later: no refund

NIVA will issue an invoice or send information on how to pay the course with credit card (depending on the option chosen in the registration form) after the registration deadline.

The price is subject to minor changes.

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Contact persons

Course leader

Jon Magnus Haga, Head of Norwegian Centre for Maritime and Diving Medicine
Haukeland University Hospital, Norway
email: jon.magnus.haga@helse-bergen.no

In practical matters, please contact:

Morten Jakobsen
Project Manager & Sustainability Advisor
NIVA
email: morten.jakobsen@niva.org