scope:

Scope and Application

Companies may choose to implement the combination of requirements suitable to their Company's goals, objectives and concerns. ABS encourages all companies to consider implementation of the Guide's requirements in their entirety as a comprehensive approach to health, safety quality and environmental management.

(1 July 2010) The scope of certification (SQ/SE/HS/SQE/HSE/HSQ/HSQE) chosen for the Company office should be implemented across all vessels in the fleet regardless of the scope of certification and notation requested for each individual vessel (see section 1.2 below). At least one vessel of each type should be presented as sample and maintain certification to the same scope of certification as the company's office.

As an aid to assisting clients with the implementation of a comprehensive approach, ABS has also produced the ABS Guidance Notes for the Investigation of Marine Incidents. While one goal of effective safety management is to reduce or eliminate incidents, accidents or near-misses, events may occur from time to time. Under such conditions, a Company is well served when it can learn from such events and use the lessons to minimize the potential for future losses. The ABS Guidance Notes for the Investigation of Marine Incidents outline how incidents can be investigated and their root causes determined. The Guidance Notes also provide forms and checklists for use during an investigation. These Guidance Notes can be downloaded from the ABS website at http://www.eagle.org/rules/downloads.html. Together with the Marine Health, Safety, Quality and Environmental Management Guide, the ABS Guidance Notes for the Investigation of Marine Incidents can be used to address a range of objectives of health, safety, quality and environmental management programs.