Supplementary memorandum by the Ports'
Safety Organisation (P 07C)
MEETING OF THE TRANSPORT SUB-COMMITTEE HELD
ON 21 MARCH 2001
Further to my letter of 23 March 2001, the survey
into the first six months' operation of the port industry's Code
of Practice on the Engagement of Non-Permanent Employees on Cargo
Handling Operations in the Ports Industry has now been completed.
I undertook to let the Sub-Committee have a note on the survey
and that is the purpose of this letter.
The Code itself is a voluntary Code developed
and supported by the entire ports industry (not just members of
PSO). It is also supported in principle by DETR and HSE. It is
modelled on standards for permanent employees and its intention
is to set minimum industry standards in which non-permanent employees
are not put to work on cargo handling operations until the cargo
handling company concerned is satisfied that they have undergone
appropriate safety induction training. The Code also specifies
standards regarding further job training, fitness and competence
and the respective responsibilites of the parties concerned. A
key element is the issue and wearing/carrying of a Port Safety
Induction Card to indicate that the wearer/holder is in compliance
with the Code's provisions.
All respondents to the survey were asked to
complete a section on general implementation/effect. The key elements
were:
— to what extent was it perceived that
the Code had been implemented—
fully 11 per cent, widely 22 per cent, generally
42 per cent, to some degree 24 per cent, not at all 2 per cent
— what was the overall effect thought
to be—
substantial effect 14 per cent, some effect 71 per
cent, no effect 5 per cent.
From this it is concluded that there has been
a considerable impact. It is clear from the replies that the implications
of the Code's requirements are already being felt and applied
and that the effects are likely to increase in the next six months.
This is quite encouraging. PSO is committed, together with the
industry, to reviewing the provisions of the Code after 12 months,
ie in the autumn, and we will continue to promote it over the
foreseeable future.
Mike Compton
Director
30 May 2001
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