An international study of health and safety in global network terminals was
conducted by Cardiff University and commissioned by the ITF (International
Transport Workers' Federation). The 94 page report - Managing the health and
safety of workers in globalised container terminals - examines six global
network terminal (GNT) ports as well as a worldwide survey of ITF member
unions. It finds that, despite the major changes associated with
containerisation, container terminals remain a high risk environment for dock
workers.

It concludes that although the GNT operators have made some important strides
in improving health and safety management systems, significant improvement is
needed in order to bring container terminals up to the standards of best
practice found in other sectors where worker participation systems are
effectively developed. The report lays the groundwork for an even wider and
more comprehensive second study, that again is being conducted with the
co-operation of PSA International; APM Terminals, and another GNT operator.



Key recommendations are: strengthen current OHS systems which are largely
behaviour-based (top-down, rule-based) with worker participation systems which
can address the underlying causes of OHS problems; ensure that OHS provisions
are equal for sub-contracted workers; and pay more attention to health issues,
such as musculoskeletal disorders and fatigue.

More information

AplusA-online.de - Source: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work