Media Release
Mangalore, Jan 31: The 28th Conference of Inspectors of Dock Safety was inaugurated at NMPT auditorium on Monday January 30 by Dr P Tamilvanan, chairman, NMPT in the presence of dignitaries from DGFASLI and NMPT.
In his inaugural address, Dr Tamilvanan has reiterated NMPT’s commitment in following all the safety guidelines from Directorate General Factory Advice and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) and also added that the Port is planning to include the safety measures in the ongoing ERP Project implementation at NMPT. Inspectors from all the Major Ports are participating in the Conference.
The two day conference 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) & in-charge, Dock Safety Dn, DGFASLI, Mumbai welcomed the gathering. While delivering the key-note, S.B. Mathur, Dy director general, DGFASLI has emphasized 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 has made a mention on safety measures followed by our forefathers which are still relevant in the modern days. He has underlined the importance of “adaptation for change” which is more important for the successful implementation of safety measures.
Dr M Rajaram, HOD & Chief Inspector of Dock Safety, DGFASLI in this presidential address has emphasized the need for simulator to be included 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 there under 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.