Ship pollution a major threat to crane operators

Quay crane operators’ cabins are normally air conditioned and designed to be air-tight, but according to a report on ship stack emissions from Laurence Jones, director global risk assessment at the insurer, in many cases they fail to keep out pollutants.

With crane operators often working less than three metres away from the top of a ship’s stack, the TT Club has called for new measures to protect them from ship stack emissions.

Proper risk assessment of the hazard, including air quality monitoring during operations, and appropriate control measures to counter any exposure to emissions, must be undertaken to improve the working environment.

“This means ensuring cabins are air tight, have effective air conditioning units using high quality filters to prevent the entry of harmful emissions from ship’s stacks,” said Mr Jones . “This will provide a cleaner and safer environment for workers.”