Working in ports can be hard. You might work with a variety of employees, and deal with a diverse range of commodities. Port operations go place day and night, in all weather conditions. To catch a tide or free up a wharf, there is often pressure to quickly load or unload a ship's cargo. The goal of visiting truckers is to rapidly pick up or deliver their cargo, so they can continue driving.
Due to these factors, it is both an interesting and perhaps dangerous sector to work in ports. Risks change over time because of constantly shifting conditions. To mitigate these risks, businesses must carry out the necessary health and safety procedures.
Here, in this article, let’s see some health and safety hazards in ports.
Moving Vehicles
In ports, vehicles are often used in congested areas close to pedestrian employees. As a result, there is a higher chance of causing property damage, getting run over, being crushed, or falling from a moving vehicle. Loading and unloading cargo in trucks, reversing cars on decks, and driving through tight corners are hazards linked with moving vehicles and equipment.
Lifting Operations
The core of port logistics operations is the loading and unloading of cargo. Workers use a variety of lifting tools, including cranes and forklifts, for heavy containers and objects. Poorly planned lifting operations can put workers in great danger of incurring fatal injuries or being struck by things that are falling or moving. Falling loads from incorrectly piled goods and malfunctioning lifting equipment are two risks associated with lifting activities on ports.
Mishandling Injuries
At ports, many workers carry out various manual handling activities. Some injuries from manual handling involve twisting, frequent bending, repetitive movements, and physical work. Such activities include;
- Carrying mooring ropes.
- Moving, hauling, and lifting weights.
- Operating straddle carriers, cranes, and heavy equipment.
- Storage activities.
Slips And Trips
One of the most frequent types of workplace accidents is slipping and falling. Water is not the only thing that increases the risk of a slip or trip hazard; improperly stored cables and ropes, dim lighting, and uneven ground are also factors. The risk of a slipping danger is constantly there because docks and ports are invariably covered with water. Ports are still striving hard to fix these incidents.
Final Thoughts
Both HSE and the port sector have published recommendations that will help you better understand the key risks and the suitable management actions you may take. Using NeoEHS software, you can track, monitor, analyze, and report risks with ease. It helps you in minimizing future risks and also build a safer environment.
Here, in this article, we have listed some hazards in the port industry. But still, there are various other hazards too. However, EHS software can help you in managing all hazards seamlessly. From automating workflows, tracking employees, monitoring risks, minimizing hazards to eliminating incidents, our EHS software can help ports and various other industries in sorting out these complications.