The experiences and prospects of someone working away at sea
are considered to be adventurous, exciting, and lucrative. However, their job
role is quite challenging and hectic too. That's why the seafaring community
often encounters the various health problems that were the subject of a previous blog and which can seriously impact their
physical and psychological health.
In order to avoid and or reduce such common health issues,
we look at five effective measures that could be undertaken and practiced in
order to ensure better welfare and well-being of the seafarers.
Work pressure needs to be balanced:
In many cases, it has been discovered that seafarers experience
tremendous work pressure. Due to the long working hours, hectic work schedule,
and minimal rest, they face various health issues, starting from stress and
fatigue to deterioration of their physical health and well-being.
Work life balance at sea is key. Research studies and
reports have already highlighted the growing levels of stress, distress, and
fatigue among the seafaring community. That's why it's important to promote a
positive work culture and behaviour.
By reducing the excessive work pressure and promoting a
healthy work-life balance, the seafaring community will feel more motivated,
relaxed, and focussed. Consequently, the instances of their common health
issues reduce.
Knowledge is Power:
The master & senior crew should research and be aware of
any outbreaks of illness, epidemic and pandemic diseases before docking in a
specific port.
Due to the nature of their job, seafarers need to travel
around the entire world and visit many international ports. That's why the
seafaring community often gets exposed to various epidemic and pandemic
diseases, for example, cholera, yellow fever, malaria, and tuberculosis etc.
Advance knowledge and awareness of a potential issue may
help overcome this problem, but seafarers should also be medically checked and
vaccinated prior to visiting the infected ports.
By using these preventive measures, the spread of infectious
and contagious diseases can be avoided.
Quality
of life for seafarers needs to be improved:
This is another effective measure that helps the wellness
and well-being of the seafaring community. To improve the quality of life for
seafarers, it's important to promote a healthy work-life balance. Apart from
that, it should be further ensured that seafarers are offered enough rest and
sleep.
To boost their morale, some fun, engaging, and interactive
activities need to be arranged frequently. Such activities will make them feel
more unified and motivated.
Self-awareness and personal health:
Self-awareness is vital when it comes to avoiding and
handling health hazards. And, it's also not an exception for the seafaring
community. Once onboarded, seafarers should be provided adequate training on
the common health issues and how to tackle such situations in a timely manner.
Additionally, they should be encouraged to follow a proper
fitness regime. Their fitness regime should include the necessity of practicing
regular workouts and maintaining a healthy diet.
Needless to mention, self-awareness is a proven and
meaningful way to avoid various health issues that are mostly faced by the
seafarers.
Finally:
Seafarers should be encouraged to regularly visit a
physician or medical supervisor so that a disease doesn't turn to a permanent
disability
Certain health issues (especially Hand Arm Vibration
Syndrome, Musculoskeletal Disorder, and CVD) may turn into a permanent
disability if they are not treated on time.
That's why seafarers must be encouraged to regularly visit a
physician for periodic health check-ups. In this way, a potential disease can
be easily detected and treated so that it doesn't cause a long-term impediment
or disability.
Mayfair, we care.