IMCA Newsroom

Press Release 23/06

IMCA EXTENDS SAFETY PROMOTION MATERIALS

The use of cartoons to attract attention to their new safety posters, an important part of the International Marine Contractors Association's (IMCA) suite of safety materials, has proved to be extremely popular.

"Our new A2-sized posters 'Watch Your Back' and 'Slips, Trips & Falls' have proved a universal success," explains IMCA's Technical Director, Jane Bugler. "Indeed, one of our international members ordered a hundred sets of these and each of our 14 safety cards.

"The posters, with their explicit and amusing cartoons, have global appeal - and, most importantly, get over their message to English and non-English speakers alike. Although safety posters are a normal part of safety campaigns in Europe and North America, they are less usual in some other parts of the world and, so, they are a welcome addition to our 330+ members are based in 35 countries."

The posters are available for purchase in sets of three at £5 for members and £10 for non-members or for downloading free of charge for the members-only section of the IMCA website. The design of the posters includes space for the incorporation of company logos, names and references and comes in PDF and Quark print files. Posters will be produced to mirror the messages in IMCA's 14 safety cards. The next two posters will cover toolbox talks and crane operations.

Two new pocket cards have been published bringing the total to 14. The two latest cards address eye safety and personal security. The security card is designed to make it easy for members' personnel to keep close at hand for easy reference to the key messages on this issue such as stay alert; look after your passport (it is after all your most valuable possession when travelling internationally!); avoid drawing attention to yourself; remember - possessions are replaceable, you are not! There are also 23 helpful bullet points under headings 'before you travel'; 'at the airport'; 'street and hotel security'; and 'ensure you get home'.

All 14 cards are available for purchase in printed sets of a hundred or, like the posters, can be downloaded by members free of charge in both PDF and Quark print formats.

Notes to Editors (common)

• IMCA is an international association with over 450 members in more than 50 countries, representing offshore, marine and underwater engineering companies. IMCA has four technical divisions, covering marine/specialist vessel operations, offshore diving, hydrographic survey and remote systems and ROVs, plus geographic sections for the Americas Deepwater, Asia-Pacific, Europe & Africa and Middle East & India regions, as well as a core focus on safety, the environment, competence and training. IMCA seeks to promote its members' common interests, to resolve industry-wide issues and to provide an authoritative voice for its members.
• IMCA publishes some 200 guidance notes and technical reports. These have been developed over the years and are widely distributed. They are a definition of what IMCA stands for, including widely recognised diving and ROV codes of practice, DP documentation, marine good practice guidance, the Common Marine Inspection Document, safety recommendation, outline training syllabi and the IMCA competence scheme guidance. In addition to the range of printed guidance documents, IMCA also produces safety promotional materials, circulates information notes and safety flashes.
• Judith Patten is here to help you if you want any additional information on IMCA; would like to discuss a feature article; want to organise interviews with key members of the IMCA team, etc.