Sea ports are easily vulnerable to safety hazards. With a huge number of heavy vehicular movements, different dimensions and types of cargo being loaded, unloaded and moved within port premises it becomes very important to be alert when walking, driving and moving around in the port premises during all times of the day and night since the chances of trips and falls increases. Furthermore, people working with cargo at ports face safety risks every day due to - working at heights, falling cargo, heavy machinery, traffic and other hazards. Factors like untrained and casual labor, complacency in handling cargo, long hours or inadequate breaks further increase the risk of injuries and accidents. To mitigate any risk of injuries or fatalities a general awareness of the operations cannot be undermined and a detailed risk analysis and adoption of detailed safety protocol is essential.

Generic safety norms expected from a port user like donning of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in cargo handling areas, compliance of set safety rules or norms, no misuse of any equipment, deployment of only trained personnel in the docks are insufficient and a more holistic view is necessary to not only identify the risks, but include specific measures to eliminate those risks in a structured manner.

To enhance the safety culture at J M Baxi & Co, a more structured approach on all the risks involved in seaport operations are identified, and bought under the ambit of Six Guiding Stars of Safety. Every J M Baxi employee is to not only adhere to these but also inculcate them in their daily working lives, which are.

All the anticipated risks are identified and risk mitigation methods are placed which becomes the standard procedure for work under that Guiding Star.

The Guiding Star no. (i) to (iii) are generally for all the port users and (iv) to (vi) are specifically for people involved with cargo operations in a port.

Here is a detailed look at the Guiding Stars

I. Safety whilst moving

Activities under this principle are to identify tasks which may jeopardise safety whilst walking, moving around in a vessel/seaport area and bringing n measures to eliminate the risk. For effective compliance with this standard:

A. The supervisor and employee should identify and control the risks associated with the presence of moving equipment and pedestrians, to ensure.

B. The employee shall walk only on the pedestrian path in the designated areas on the vessel/ port

C. Wearing PPE i.e. - high visibility vest, safety helmet and safety shoes when moving within the port

II. Safety aboard vessels

Vessels due to variations in design, condition and the general arrangement of cargo, can present the potential for personal injury and damage. Before working onboard, all workers should assess the layout, set-up and condition of the vessel including access to all Points of Work (POW), no-go-area on the vessel, location of the fire-fighting appliances and all swing zones of all lifting equipment. The range and severity of risks present on individual vessels can vary due to factors such as age, the condition and type of vessel, access to areas of work, condition of lifting equipment, loose gear, the nature and stow of cargo and the vessel's crew.

Effective compliance with this standard will be demonstrated by

III. Safety from moving equipment

Moving equipment includes light vehicles such as cars, trucks, vans, shuttle buses and other personal vehicles, in addition to reach stackers, cranes, forklifts, trains, etc. used in operational areas. The supervisor and employee should identify and control the risks associated with the usage of moving equipment.

Effective compliance with this standard can be demonstrated by

IV. Cargo handling

Many incidents, sometimes fatal, are reported whilst workers are standing under the cargo load or the impact zone in cases of falling loads. Supervisors are advised to use the appropriate equipment and safe work procedures to eliminate the likelihood of personnel being injured by swinging, shifting or falling cargo loads during cargo handling operations.

Effective compliance with this standard can be demonstrated by

V. Safety when working at heights

Working at a height poses significant risks, even a simple task like climbing the crane ladder, working from the hatch coamings can be fatal due to the location of the working area. Supervisors should ensure employees and workers are safeguarded against the risks associated, whilst working at a height by putting appropriate safety measures like safety harnesses, use of cherry pickers etc. Strict compliance is to be made with all local statutory requirements whilst working at heights.

Effective compliance with this standard can be demonstrated by

VI. Lifting equipment safety

The supervisor shall provide lifting equipment that is designed, built, procured, and maintained to relevant industry standards, to ensure the safety of its personnel and the efficiency of its operations is maintained. Lifting equipment covers all the machinery, lifting tools, lifting appliances, and includes equipment such as cranes, access equipment, lifts and hoists, pressure vessels, general machinery, spreaders and scaffoldings.

Effective compliance with this standard can be demonstrated by

Safety is continual and an everyday target. Therefore, safety processes need to be constantly evaluated and evolved to ensure everyone reaches home safely every day. As they say, ‘you live – you learn’.