Thousands of
workers at UK ports are set to benefit from higher safety
standards as Transport Minister Paul Clark today launches an
updated Port Marine Safety Code.
The changes are being unveiled at a special event on board HQS
Wellington in association with the Port of London Authority. The
revised Code - and the accompanying Guide to Good Practice - are
designed to promote safety amongst the 54,000 people who work in
ports around the country through greater transparency of roles,
responsibilities and legal obligations for the industry.
Transport Minister Paul Clark said:
“With 54,000 people working at our ports, it’s very encouraging
to see tireless dedication to high standards across the industry,
making ports safety here among the best in the world.
"When accidents do happen, the consequences can be very
serious, but thanks to the professionalism of those who manage our
ports this is now a rarity.
"This work is a great example of what the industry and
the Government can achieve by working closely together. I hope
that by updating the Code, the industry will have an even clearer
guide to port marine safety, enabling them to continue the
excellent work they already do."
Port of London Authority chief harbour master, David Snelson, said;
“The Port Marine Safety Code is the cornerstone of UK harbour
authorities’ operations. This new edition provides improved
guidelines and principles for each port’s Safety Management
System, which identify risks and steps needed to eliminate or keep
them to a minimum. This helps ensure people, vessels and the
environment stay safe.
“The revision to the Code brings a consistent template to this
important safety tool, which can be scaled up or down to suit
large ports like London or smaller harbours like Fowey. It’s
importance can’t be overstated as ports are essential trade
gateways which at their most basic help keep people clothed, fed
and warm.”
Steve Clinch, Deputy Chief Inspector, Marine Accident
Investigation Branch said:
"Investigations into previous accidents within Port and
Harbour limits have highlighted how important it is for port
operators to maintain robust safety regimes. The MAIB has recently
raised concerns over the industry’s ability to learn from previous
accidents but the launch of the refreshed Port Marine Safety Code,
and in particular the industry’s ownership of the Guide to Best
Practice, provides me with encouragement that there is now clear
recognition about the importance of the Code. I look forward to
this event marking the beginning of significant improvements in
future safety.”
Notes to Editors
The Port Marine Safety Code was first published in March 2000.
The voluntary code of practice covers the management of safety for
marine actives in ports. The Health and Safety Executive has
responsibility for regulating shore-side activities.
The Code aims to improve the safety of marine operations and to
establish clear national standards of compliance for all port
authorities. To support the Code, the Department also published
the Guide to Good Practice in March 2002. This provided detailed
advice and examples of good practice to help harbour authorities
comply with the Code.
UK ports currently employ around 54,000 people directly, with a
further 40,000 indirect jobs
The Code applies to all UK ports that have statutory powers and
duties. Its purpose is to improve the safety of marine operations
and to establish clear national standards of compliance for all
harbour authorities. Key requirements for those harbour
authorities who sign up to the Code include:Using risk assessments
techniques to review all marine operations;Develop and maintaining
a safety management system;The appointment of a designated
person' to provide independent assurance to the harbour
board regarding the authority's compliance.
Over the past year, a working group of industry representatives;
the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Department for Transport
(DfT) officials have been updating the two documents. The group
concluded that the Code should be refreshed to enable easier
implementation of the Code by harbour authorities through the use
of plain english and clarity of detail. Improvements to the
shortened document include:Clearer definitions of roles - notably
those of the 'duty holder; and 'designated
person';Advice on incident management to harbour
authorities;Details of relevant new legislation;Information and
links for port personnel to learn lessons arising from Marine
Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) reports.
Ministers have agreed that the DfT and MCA should retain
ownership of the Code, but that the ports industry (led by the UK
Major Ports Group and the British Ports Association) would become
directly responsible for owning and maintaining the Guide. This
should help fulfil the original intention of the Guide being
updated on a regular basis.
Last October in a response to the House of Commons Transport
Committee, the Department confirmed that it was working with
industry and the MCA on a project to update and refresh the Code
and the Guide. Publication of the new versions now will fulfil
both commitments with the Guide containing an expanded section
relating to formal risk assessments.
Copies of the refreshed Code and Guide can be found on the DfT
website under the 'Ports' section
http:www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/shippingports/ports/
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