The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen is intended primarily for merchant seamen on UK-registered vessels. The Code details the regulatory framework for health and safety on board ship, safety management and statutory duties underlying the advice in the Code, and the areas that should be covered when introducing a new recruit to the safety procedures on board. Amendment 8 is the latest amendment to the Code and contains two significant changes to the existing Code following the introduction of new regulations. The first change relates to the Merchant Shipping (Health and Safety at Work) Carcinogens and Mutagens Regulations 2007, which came into force on 1 March 2008 which necessitates the inclusion of a new section in Chapter 27 - Hazardous Substances. The second change relates to the Merchant Shipping (Control of Noise at Work) Regulations 2007 and Merchant Shipping (Control of Vibration at Work) Regulations 2007 which came into force on 23 February 2