Safety Training for Port Workers in Cargo Handling Operations

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A decision made (07.08.07) to approve in principle the introduction of a voluntary code for standard safety training for port workers in cargo handling operations.

Economic Development (Jersey Harbours)

Ministerial Decision

Subject:	Standard Safety Training for Port Workers within the Port of St Helier.
Decision Reference:	MD-E-2007-0104		Exempt clause(s):	Public
Type of Report: (oral or written)	written		Person Giving Report (if oral):	n/a
Telephone or e-mail Meeting?	n/a		Report File ref:	n/a
Written report – Title	Code of Practice for Port Workers in Cargo Handling Operations in the Port Of St Helier and Gorey Harbour.
Written report – Author (name and job title)	Captain Richard G. Daley Port Operations Manager - Jersey Harbours
Decision(s): The Assistant Minister approved in principle the introduction of the Code. The voluntary Code may be given additional weight, be developed further and added into the Approved Code of Practice for Health & Safety in the Port of St Helier which is being reviewed at present.
Reason(s) for decision: It has been highlighted that labour could be employed on the docks without adequate training to meet the varying demands of the shipping companies. The UK ports have developed a voluntary code to cover employees following several fatalities in the ports during the 80’s and 90’s. This code has been adapted from their voluntary code. The aim is to improve safety within the port and to recognise the professionalism of the port workers in carrying out a skilled trade.
Resource implications: None
Action required: To approve in principle the Code of Practice for Safety Training. The Code will also be submitted to the Director for Health and Safety Inspectorate for approval in principle. .
Signature: Deputy Alan J Maclean Assistant Minister for Economic Development		Date of Decision:

Safety Training for Port Workers in Cargo Handling Operations

Written Report: ref Ministerial Decision

Introduction of a Code of Practice for Port Workers in Cargo Handling Operations in the Port Of St Helier and Gorey Harbour.

The current stevedoring company has employed a workforce of approximately 27 Dockers and no casual labour. The Company to be awarded the new Licence in October 2007 may decide that the employment of non-permanent employees is the best means to meet the varying demands of the shipping companies and their schedules. The risk for the Port is that non-permanent employees may have received little or patchy training before going to work on the dock and there is likely potential of injury. The training of any employee presently has been left to each individual company and there is no recognised standard within the Port of St Helier.

In the UK this practice resulted in several deaths of non-permanent labour; the resulting investigation highlights the need to introduce a standard safety induction training system to bring workforce in particular non-permanent or new permanent employees to a recognised minimum standard.

The following is a summary taken from the Code:

This voluntary Code of Practice has been adapted from the UK Ports’ Code of Practice for the engagement of non-permanent employees on cargo handling operations in the Port Industry, as promoted by the British Ports Association [BPA], UK Major Ports Group [UKMPG] and Port Skills and Safety Ltd [PSS].

Its purpose is to set a minimum industry standard by which employees are not put to work on cargo handling operations until the cargo handling company is satisfied that they have undergone appropriate safety induction training. An integral part of such an assessment for any employees engaged in cargo handling operations to and from ships will be the possession by the employees of a port safety induction card, which will give certain personal information and details of suitable induction training received. No employee whether non-permanent or permanent should be considered for cargo handling operations to and from ships unless in possession of a ‘Port Safety Induction Card’. No employee, whether non-permanent or permanent, should be put to work on cargo handling operations unless they have been assessed by the cargo handling company as fit and competent to undertake such work.

Captain Richard Daley

Port Operations Manager

07 May 2007