Safety crackdown for Australian stevedores

The development comes after calls by the Maritime Union of Australia for a national code of practice on cargo-handling safety, which has prompted the Australian Safety and Compensation Council to confirm it will develop a nationally-consistent approach for occupational health and safety for stevedoring.

Australia is to enforce a national health and safety code for stevedoring after a series of accidents in ports over the past 18 months.

The development comes after calls by the Maritime Union of Australia for a national code of practice on cargo-handling safety, which has prompted the Australian Safety and Compensation Council to confirm it will develop a nationally-consistent approach for occupational health and safety for stevedoring.

A national review will be conducted to find the optimal safety model.