The Hindu Business Line : Panel to work out safe process for container handling

The advisory committee on dock safety has proposed to devise a safe process and equipment for container handling operations in major ports in the country.

At the meeting of the safety advisory committee held in Chennai last week, it was observed that no effective measures have been put in place in ports to implement Regulation 85 (11) of Dock Workers (Safety Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1990, which prescribes provision of suitable and safe means to workers for going on top of containers and for attending to lashing and unlashing of containers.

A sub-committee was constituted to prescribe safe process and equipment for going atop containers stacked high on deck of ships and for lashing and unlashing of containers.

Cause for accidents

Mr K.V.A. Iyer, Vice-President, Water Transport Workers Federation of India, who attended the meeting representing CITU, said that the unprecedented rise in road transport activities within the port premises for transporting containers and dry bulk cargoes was a cause for accidents.

The committee had ordered a study of transportation problems to make them safer through adoption of appropriate measures.

Another major concern raised at the meeting was that private labour employed in ports did not have access to basic amenities and facilities such as washing facilities, rest shed, canteen and toilets.

The committee also decided to ensure effective implementation of all statutory provisions concerning safety and welfare that are applicable to both the direct employees of port trusts and private labour employed in ports, Mr Iyer said.

The advisory panel meeting was presided by the committee's Chairman and Director General of Factory Advisory Service and Labour Institutes, Mr S.K. Saxena.

The committee noted progress in implementation of safety measures with regard to use of container spreaders and personal protective equipment.

New areas of applicability where welfare facilities need to be improved relate to privately run container terminals in major ports.