Unit 5 Guidelines for Internal Audit of ISM Code

2. 5.2 IMO ISM Code: During Audit Process

Is there evidence of:

  • The Master having overriding authority for the safety of the crew, Ship and the environment

Yes

No

  • Are details of company organization chart, lines of communications, and job descriptions available?

Yes

No

  • Are Clear and simple set of instructions available to crew including officers e.g., Master's standing orders, night orders, Master's circulars, etc.?

Yes

No

  • SMS familiarization of the crew including officers

Yes

No

  • Motivation to follow SMS along with evidence with the aim of promoting motivation by organizing safety debates, lectures, competitions, presentation of safety awards etc.?

Yes

No

  • Review of previous audit reports, non-conformities, Accidents/incidents or hazardous occurrences?

Yes

No

  • Regular review of SMS and suggestions for changes to shore management?  

Yes

No


Additional questions:

  • Has there been recent changes in ownership, flag State and classification society?

Yes

No

  • Is updated CSR available?

Yes

No

  • If yes, is company fully aware of implications associated with ISM Code and corresponding SMS requirements?

Yes

No


Could you also verify the following during the audit/inspection:

  • Are auditors’ report(s) on non-conformities, accidents and hazardous occurrences followed-up?

Yes

No

  • Are non-conformities clearly linked to ISM Code requirements and the SMS?      

Yes

No

  • Are relevant Conventions, Regulations, Codes, Standards and Industry Guidance available on the ship, or can be accessed digitally?

Yes

No

  • Does the ship’s SMS have a maintenance routine, which includes the testing of stand by equipment and critical equipment/systems, and are records available?

Yes

No

  • Are records of risk assessments and appropriate safeguards available?

Yes

No

  • Are procedures/records of how the company deals with request for resources available?

Yes

No

  • Is relevant documentation regarding the SMS in a working language understood by crewmembers?

Yes

No

  • Are program and records for drills and exercises to prepare for emergency actions available?

Yes

No

  • Are introduction/familiarization procedures for crewmembers carried out in accordance with documented procedures?

Yes

No

  • Are crewmembers able to communicate effectively in the execution of their duties related to SMS?

Yes

No

  • Is there evidence of repetitive observations or non-conformities from previous ISM Code audits?

Yes

No

  • And have these been considered at safety committee meetings and SMS review?

Yes

No

  • Does the company keep the Safety Management documentation on board?

Yes

No

  • Is there evidence that the master has carried out the review of the SMS?

Yes

No

  • Can senior officers identify the “designated person” responsible for the operation of the ship and the means to contact that person?

Yes

No

  • Have the procedures for establishing contact with shore management in an emergency been tested?

Yes

No

  • Are emergency plans/procedure available on board, along with evidence of shore-based company emergency response and contract with ERS?

Yes

No

  • Are records of inspections, condition and maintenance reports available?

Yes

No

  • Are records to tests, sample analysis, calibration records, outcomes of routine checks, completed checklists, etc., available?

Yes

No

  • Are records available related to amendments, upkeeping, retrieval, storage and destruction of documents?

Yes

No

  • Does the company consider that the incident and accident assessors including investigation agencies should standardize their reporting system and focus on human performance?

Yes

No


   Do you apply any of the KPIs listed below when assessing/monitoring the ISM Code

implementation? 

(The list of KPIs below is not exhaustive and other relevant KPIs may also be considered).

  • The number of non-conformities identified during ISM audits.

Yes

No

  • The number of accidents and incidents involving ships registered with the Administration implementing the ISM Code.

Yes

No

  • The number of accidents and incidents attributable to human error.

Yes

No

  • The percentage of ships holding valid SMS certificates.

Yes

No

  • The number of inspections carried out by the Administration.

Yes

No

  • The number of deficiencies identified during SMS verification.

Yes

No

  • The number of accidents and incidents involving ships with valid SMS certificates.       

Yes

No