Chamber joins the fight against HIV this World AIDS Day by publishing guidelines to shipping companies

   

The National Maritime Occupational Health & Safety Committee, comprising the UK Chamber of Shipping and maritime unions Nautilus International and RMT, today released guidelines to shipping companies on HIV and AIDS to raise awareness of risks and give guidance on prevention for seafarers, in support of World AIDS Day.

Since 1988, World Aids Day has aimed to raise awareness and unite people around the globe in the fight against HIV, yet too many people still do not know enough about the condition. In 2007 it was estimated that 33.2 million people were living with AIDS worldwide, with 2.5 million newly infected with HIV that year. That the virus remains incurable means education is vital to ensuring the number of new infections reduces.

The Chamber first published guidelines on HIV and AIDS in 1985 and has worked since to ensure seafarers are aware of the situation to which, due to the global nature of their occupation, they may find themselves more exposed. Infrequent shore-based medical services are complicated by language barriers and a lack of time. Seafarers are also less able to access the information about HIV prevention that is widely available in the UK.

The guidelines also combat the ignorance surrounding HIV / AIDS that is still often found, particularly on the risks and how it spreads. Common misconceptions that the infection can be caught from food, kitchen utensils, sharing toilets, coughs and sneezes, are addressed in the guidelines. Employers too are reminded that those with HIV are perfectly capable of working normally and that they should work to eliminate any prejudice and discrimination currently faced by those affected.

The guidelines are an important contribution to the global struggle against HIV and AIDS, and one that should become a staple item on ships across the world.

1st December