First ports ‘Sector Safety Plan’ launched

In a UK first, the plan has also been developed by the sector itself rather than by the HSE. It summarises the progress it has made, its ambition to continue and broaden improvement and the key principles that the sector has adopted to achieve this. The plan covers the traditional areas of physical safety – the strong evidence base, policies and procedures needed to continually address safety issues. It also extends to the areas of culture, mental well-being and health necessary to take safety performance to the next level.

Chair of PSS, Tim Clarke, commented: “The Sector Safety Plan is about demonstrating leadership and commitment on health and safety in our industry together with practical concrete action. We can never be complacent and need to keep working on ways to make our workplaces safer. Port Skills and Safety is proud that port operators have come together to develop the Plan and of industry’s partnership approach on safety with Government, Regulators and Trade Unions.”

Video highlights procedures

PSS has also made publicly available its video on the dangers of confined spaces and the safe working procedures required.

The ports Sector Safety Plan is being launched as part of the UK Department for Transport’s (DfT) Maritime Safety Week. The Maritime Minister Nusrat Ghani MP kicked off Maritime Safety Week 2019 by launching the DfT’s Maritime Safety Action Plan.

By Rebecca Jeffrey