These guidelines do not set specific performance or technical
criteria, but recommend that companies set policies and objectives
and develop procedures for managing their occupational health and
safety programme. Companies should consider their unique organization,
culture and hazards on their vessels and the possible effects of their
operations. The elements are intentionally flexible and may be adapted
to address any size of operation or any vessel type. However, it should
be noted that, although the standard is aimed at the shipboard occupational
health and safety programmes, some of the elements address activities
and commitments that must be completed or made by shore side personnel
(e.g. executive management commitment and provision of adequate resources).
Key to the effectiveness of the programme is the implementation of
each element within an interconnected system.