The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers is a comprehensive set of

guidelines and safe working practices designed to ensure the safety and health of seafarers

working on board merchant ships.

It is a statutory requirement for the current edition of the Code to be carried on board all

UK ships (except fishing vessels and pleasure craft). The Code contains essential health and

safety information, and it must be made available to any seafarer on board who requests it.

The Code has undergone a comprehensive redesign and modernisation process to

improve its structure, ensure consistency, and simplify its language. Its recurring design

features enable quicker reference and improve clarity and ease of understanding.

The 2025 edition includes

● new chapter on shipyard safety including considerations while the ship is being repaired

● major updates on safe movement on board in extreme weather, and means of access

● further updates on safety signs, manual handling, noise and vibration (including new

figure), and entering enclosed spaces.