| 1.0 | Guidance on conduct of the medical examinations |
| 1.1 | Pre-sea medical examination |
| A pre-sea medical examination provides an opportunity to prevent a person, for health reasons apparent at that time, from embarking on a seafaring career. It is therefore more stringent in nature than a periodic examination, bearing in mind that the objective is to head-off an unhealthy or unwise career choice. By its very nature this examination occurs only once and it is very important that the approved medical examiner conduct it thoroughly. |
| 1.2 | Periodic medical examination |
| A periodic medical examination provides an opportunity to ensure that a seafarer remains fit for sea service by identifying medical conditions which may have developed since the seafarer entered the profession. It should be more flexible than the pre-sea examination, yet not so flexible as to permit unfit seafarers to work on ships. |
| Pre-sea and periodic medical examinations also provide the opportunity to take measures to correct or mitigate medical conditions which could adversely affect the seafarer’s health. |
| 2.0 | Instructions on the conduct of medical examinations |
| The following instructions are to standardise the medical examinations undertaken by all recognised medical practitioners. |
| 2.1 | The recognised medical practitioner must determine if the purpose of the examination is to determine if a person is fit for a seafaring career (pre-sea examination) or to determine if the person is fit to return to sea (periodic examination) and conduct the examination accordingly. |
| 2.2 | The identity of the person to be examined must be verified. The number of his or her passport or other relevant identity document that includes a photograph must be entered on the examination form. |
| 2.3 | The seafarer’s intended position on board ship, and, as far as practicable, the physical and psychological requirements of this work, must be established. This may lead to restrictions based on the nature of the voyage (for example, fit for inshore or sheltered waters service only) and the job to be held. Information on work history may be useful as it may lead to closer attention on potential occupational health hazards (for example, risk of cancer from certain chemical cargoes or risk of hearing loss from work in the engine room). |
| 2.4 | The seafarer’s previous medical records, if available, must be reviewed. |
| 2.5 | Information must be collected directly from the seafarer on his or her previous medical history. Point-by-point questions on the details of previous diseases and injuries must be asked and the results recorded. Details on other diseases or injuries not covered must also be recorded. After the information is collected the seafarer must sign the form to certify it is a true statement. |
| 2.6 | The seafarer’s weight, height, pulse rate and blood pressure must be measured and recorded. The results of laboratory tests, ECG, chest X-ray and (if necessary) other examinations must be checked and recorded. In conducting pre-sea medical fitness examinations, a general analysis of blood is advisable. |
| 2.7 | Hearing, eyesight and colour vision must be checked and recorded. |
| 2.8 | The seafarer’s vaccination record must be examined if appropriate. Advice must be given on immunisations taking into account the guidance in clause 3.0. If new vaccinations are given they must be recorded on the vaccination certificate required by regulation 3.0. |
| 2.9 | The results of the examination must be recorded and assessed to determine if the seafarer is fit for the work which will be undertaken. Part 1 contains guidance on medical conditions which must be taken into account when considering whether a person is fit or currently unfit for work at sea. The age and experience of the person to be examined, the nature of the duties to be performed and the type of shipping operation and cargo should be considered. |
| 2.10 | A Certificate of Medical Fitness must be issued stating whether the seafarer is considered medically fit. Any restrictions concerning work (ie, the job the seafarer will perform) should be reflected in the description of the work he or she is fit to undertake. |
| 2.11 | If the seafarer is found temporarily or permanently unfit for service, he or she must be given an explanation of the reasons. If “temporarily unfit”, advice should be given on the need to make additional tests, to obtain opinions from specialists, to complete dental or other treatment, rehabilitation and/or appropriate medical care. The seafarer should be informed when to return for another examination. |
| 2.12 | As appropriate, and if time permits, the seafarer should be counselled on life style (to limit alcohol intake, stop smoking, modify diet, lose weight etc), on the dangers and methods of prevention of malaria, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases. Printed health educational materials on drug and alcohol abuse prevention, smoking cessation, diet, communicable diseases prevention, and similar material should also be provided, if available. |
| 2.13 | The Medical Examination Form must be clearly marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and be retained for at least 10 years in the health establishment where the certificate of health was issued. The file should only be made available for medical purposes related to the performance of duties or the provision of medical care. |
| 2.14 | A copy of the completed and signed Medical Examination Form must be given to the seafarer and the seafarer should be advised to bring it to the next medical examination or when he or she is treated for an illness or injury. If possible, a card indicating blood-type and other vital information should also be given to the seafarer to facilitate emergency treatment. |
| 2.15 | The serial number of the Certificate of Medical Fitness must be recorded and the signed certificate must be given to the seafarer. |
| 3.0 | Guidance on vaccination requirements for seafarers |
| 3.1 | Seafarers should be vaccinated according to the requirements indicated— |
| (a) | in the World Health Organization publication International Travel and Health: Vaccination Requirements and Advice which is updated periodically; or |
| (b) | by the International Association of Medical Assistance to Travellers; or |
| (c) | by a recognised source similar to those listed in subclauses 3.1(a) and (b) that is acceptable to the Chief Executive Officer. |
| 3.2 | Seafarers must be issued with a vaccination certificate which prescribes the types of vaccination administered to the seafarer and the dates and time of vaccination. |
The Laws of Fiji
Search