28th Conference of Inspectors of Dock Safety begins

Mangalore, January 30: The 28th conference of Inspectors of Dock Safety was inaugurated at NMPT auditorium on Monday by Dr P Tamilvanan, Chairman, NMPT in the presence of dignitaries from DGFASLI and NMPT.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Tamilvanan reiterated NMPT's commitment in following all the safety guidelines from Directorate General Factory Advice and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI).

He also said that the Port was planning to include the safety measures in the ongoing ERP Project implementation at NMPT.

Inspectors from all the major ports are participating in the two-day conference, which is expected to discuss on various technical matters on dock safety at major ports and amendments/recommendations required at the respective departments.

S N Borkar, Director(S) and in-charge, Dock Safety Dn, DGFASLI, Mumbai welcomed the gathering.

In his key-note, SB Mathur, Dy Director General, DGFASLI laid emphasis on the need for educating the working class in the Port sector to follow safety norms so as to reduce the incidents of accidents in port operations.

In his special address, T S N Murthy, IRS, Dy Chairman, NMPT made a mention on safety measures followed by our forefathers which are still relevant in the modern days.

He underlined the importance of 'adaptation for change' which is more important for the successful implementation of safety measures.

Dr M Rajaram, HOD and Chief Inspector of Dock Safety, DGFASLI, in his presidential address, stressed on the need for including simulator in port operations training for better execution of safety in ports.

The inaugural function was concluded with vote of thanks by G P Nijalingappa, Dy Director (S), Inspector of Dock Safety, Chennai.

The Dock Workers (Safety, Health and Welfare) Act, 1986 and the Regulations, 1990 thereunder covers the Safety Health and Welfare aspects of the workers engaged in the Dock Work which includes loading and unloading of cargo on board and on shores, handling of materials in warehouses, yards, etc.

The Act is applicable to all the major ports. As such the Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) which has been entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing this Act and Regulations has offices located in the 11 major ports.

Theses inspectorates carry out the activities, which include inspection of ships, tankers, lifting appliances, loose gears, docks, terminals, container yards, etc. In addition to this the Inspectorates have also been entrusted with the responsibility of enforcing the Manufacture, Storage, Handling and Import of Hazardous Chemicals (MSHIC) Rules, 1989 under which the Inspectorates have to carry out the inspection of Hazardous installations, Isolated.