FRC International

14.05.2012

Whole Lot of Shaking Going on at Seawork

Seawork exhibitor KPM Marine has introduced a new policy whereby all major customers for its new Crew 100 shock mitigation seating system will receive professional training on Whole Body Vibration (WBV).

KPM has entered into an agreement with FRC International to undertake this training on its behalf. FRC has developed an international training and qualification structure for Fast Response Craft (FRC) personnel. This includes understanding risk, duty of care, legislation, evolving technologies, and new operational tasks and scenarios.

KPM has committed to pay the course fees for one person per customer to attend the FRC Manager course. The course will be of benefit to the recipient customer with regard to more  than just safe seating. With the inception of the latest MGN and HSE codes,  the responsibility is upon manufacturers , boat builders and operators to provide sufficient information to mitigate risk as far as practicable.

After a meeting with the head of The Health and Safety Executive and a series of marine law firms, KPM is initiating best practice now, as all the issues are going to become more prominent.

The one day Whole Body Vibration (WBV) Manager courses are aimed at all managers, officers and supervisors of RIBs, High Speed Craft (HSC) and planing craft in the professional maritime sector who need to understand the effects of WBV for crew and passengers.

Whole Body Vibration on small craft is a global problem and the injury statistics are growing. FRC International WBV Awareness Courses, recognised by The Nautical Institute, are relevant to all sectors affected by this major health and safety issue. This includes military, search & rescue, government agencies, local authorities, police, wind farm, oil & gas, thrill rides, charter, powerboat schools and all organisations operating planing boats under 24m.

The WBV Awareness Courses are run as interactive workshops with the core objective of understanding that WBV injury affects personnel in all maritime sectors using RIBs and HSC. Following on from WBV Manager, the one day WBV Crew course is aimed at all coxswains and crew of RIBs, HSC and planing craft in the professional maritime sector.

Millions of workers in Europe are exposed to mechanical vibration transmitted to the body through industrial seating, decks or floors. WBV can affect back, neck, knees and joints. The maritime sector recognises the need to reduce the effects of WBV but this is not a straightforward process for those operating RIBs and High Speed Craft. These vessels can expose employees and workers to high levels of repeated shock and WBV which has been shown to increase the risk of acute and chronic injury.

WBV Manager and WBV Crew courses also provide the background to the European EC Vibration Directive legislation that came into force on 6 July 2010. The European Directive requires employers to control exposure to hazards including noise and vibration. This includes an understanding of WBV and the risks of repeated shock exposure. Courses introduce control measures and the requirements for compliance. Management and crew knowledge can improve employee engagement and shared responsibility for duty of care.

KPM Marine’s new Crew 100 MK V marine seat has obtained DNV Type Approval (TA certificate S-7018) and is the only seat which satisfies both the High Speed Craft Code Annex 10 and the EU’s WBV regulations. It can be seen on Stand A263 at Seawork 2012.