Freight News, Sea

Study shows shortcomings in container port safety

[ September 9, 2016   //   Chris ]

A Cardiff University study on container port health and safety has identified a number of continuing dangers and flaws in the behavioural management systems commonly employed by operators. The study, commissioned by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health and the International Transport Workers’ Federation pointed to inaccurate and under-reporting of health and safety outcomes; very little attention to the specific needs of women workers; a lack of worker involvement in health and safety management; a focus on immediate safety risks at the expense of longer term effects on health; subcontracting undermining reporting and a safety culture; productivity targets undermining health, safety and welfare; and a lack of a consistent approach to occupational health and safety management
ITF president and chair of its dockers’ section, Paddy Crumlin, described it as the only international study of its kind and called for its findings to be considered by the International Labour Organization meeting of technical experts when they meet to discuss the revised ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Heath in Ports in Geneva this November.

Tags: International Transport Workers’ Federation