The Governing Body of the ILO, at its 289th (March 2004) Session, authorized the Publication of the New ILO/IMO Code of Practice on Security in Ports and of the Revised ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Ports

A Tripartite Meeting of experts on Security, Safety and Health in Ports was held in Geneva from 8 to 17 December 2003. The experts unanimously adopted a draft ILO/IMO code of practice on security in ports and a draft code of practice on safety and health in ports, a report on their discussion in two parts, Final report - Security in ports (pdf, 61k) and Final report - Safety and health in ports (pdf, 92k), as well as a resolution concerning the codes of practice on security and on safety and health in ports.

At its 289th (March 2004) Session, the Governing Body took note of the report of the Tripartite Meeting of Experts and authorized the Director-General to publish the two codes. It also decided to request the Director-General to bear in mind, when drawing up proposals for the future work of the Office, the wishes expressed by the Tripartite Meeting of Experts in paragraphs 1 to 5 of the resolution.

The ILO/IMO Code of Practice on Security in Ports (pdf, 611k) was published in print form on 15 June 2004 in English, French and Spanish and may be purchased securely on line through the ILO Publications Department. It has therefore been made available on time before the IMO International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) would take effect upon entry into force on 1 July 2004 of the new chapter XI-2 of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended.

The ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Ports (3.8MB), which includes a large number of illustrations and an index, was published in English in February 2005 and French in April 2005 and may be purchased securely on line through the ILO Publications Department. The Spanish is expected to be published in the last quarter of 2005.

The practical recommendations in these two Codes are intended to provide relevant guidance to ILO constituents and all those responsible for or involved in the management, operation, maintenance and development of ports. Both Codes will be widely promoted and disseminated by the ILO, and social dialogue activities encouraged and facilitated to put the Codes into practice around the world. It is intended that the provisions of these two Codes will assist in the enhancement of security, safety and health and the protection of the environment in the port sector in all ILO member States.

Purpose of ILO codes of practice

The practical recommendations of ILO codes of practice are intended for the use of all those, both in the public and private sectors, who have responsibility for safety and health management in relation to specific occupational hazards, sectors of activity, or equipment. Codes of practice are not intended to replace national laws or regulations or accepted standards. They are drawn up with the objective of providing guidance to those who may be engaged, through social dialogue, in the framing of provisions of this kind or to elaborate programmes of prevention or protection at the national or enterprise levels. They are addressed in particular to governmental and public authorities, employers and workers and their organizations as well as management and safety and health committees in related enterprises.
Codes of practice concerning occupational safety and health issues are primarily designed as a basis for prevention and protective measures. They contain general principles and specific guidance which concern in particular the surveillance of the working environment and of workers' health; education and training; record-keeping; the role and duties of the competent authority, employers, workers, manufacturers and suppliers; and consultation and cooperation.
The practical recommendations in the Codes of Practice on Security in Ports and on Safety and Health in Ports are intended to provide relevant guidance to ILO constituents and all those responsible for or involved in the management, operation, maintenance and development of ports.

The Code of practice on Security in Ports

The objective of the Code of Practice on Security in Ports (pdf, 611k) is to enable governments, employers, workers and other stakeholders to reduce the risk to ports from the threat posed by unlawful acts. It provides a guidance framework to develop and implement a port security strategy appropriate to identified threats to security. Security had always been a factor in maritime transport and a number of mechanisms and procedures already exist to address this issue. However, recent and serious security incidents have prompted new initiatives at international, national and company level, which would reflect the new realities. These new realities touch both the nature of the security threat and, importantly, the perception of the nature of that threat, which have changed since the September 11 events in the United States. Effectively, the focus has shifted from the relatively minor threat to trade and transport (from theft, hijackings, terrorist interventions, etc.) to the much more alarming threat from trade and transport, where the mechanisms and processes of transport could be used as weapons. This Code falls within the framework of the new international level initiatives, which are complementary to other recent maritime security related work by the ILO and the IMO (International Maritime Organization). In the case of the ILO, it relates to the ILO Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention, 2003 (Revised) No. 185 adopted in June 2003 by the International Labour Conference. In the case of the IMO, it is a follow up to the adoption of the 2002 amendments to the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), which includes the adoption of the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). The Code of Practice on Security in Ports extends the consideration of port security beyond the area of port facility into the whole port. It is intended to be compatible with the provisions of the IMO’s ISPS Code, which contains requirements that relate only to security of the ship and the immediate ship/port interface (i.e. the port facility). This Code of Practice addresses inter alia, port security policy, assessment and plans as well as related tasks and roles. It also addresses the issue of security awareness and training, which are vital for a successful implementation of an appropriate port security strategy.

The ILO in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and Col (Ret) Michael Chen (Chief Executive Officer of ST. Education & Training Pvt. Ltd. of Singapore, IMO & ILO consultant), has recently developed training material for a three/four-day course on the implementation of the ILO/IMO Code of Practice on Security in Ports (2004), which is complementary to the IMO International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. This training material was validated at a tripartite workshop that was held in March 2004 in Singapore. In this respect, the ILO is now in a position to offer training courses / workshops to all those that would be interested.

The curriculum of a standard course / workshop has been tailor-made for the following participants:

• Policy makers and senior executives responsible for port security issues particularly those from “Designated Authorities” or Recognized Security Organizations;
• Senior officials and Representatives from the Maritime and Port Administrations, industries, private enterprises and training institutions in the port sector.
• Maritime/Port workers’ representatives responsible for port security issues.
• Representatives from law enforcement agencies.

Upon completion of a standard course / workshop, the participants will be able to:

• Describe the ILO/IMO Code of Practice on Security in Ports (2004) and its link with the IMO/ISPS Code and with the ILO Seafarers’ Identity Documents Convention (Revised), 2003 (No. 185).
• Analyse the institutional and organizational arrangements necessary for the implementation of the ILO/IMO Code of Practice on Security in Ports (2004).
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of governments, employers and workers in the implementation of the ILO/IMO Code of Practice on Security in Ports.
• Undertake a port security assessment (PSA) and understand the format and content of a port security plan (PSP).
• Provide general advice to their organizations on the implementation of the ILO/IMO Code of Practice on Security in Ports (2004).
  

The Code of practice on Safety and Health in Ports

The Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Ports (pdf, 3.8MB) has replaced both the second edition (1977) of the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Dock Work and the ILO Guide to Safety and Health in Dock Work (1976). The 1977 Code and the 1976 Guide were adopted prior to the adoption of the Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Convention, 1979 (No. 152) and the Occupational Safety and Health (Dock Work) Recommendation, 1979 (No. 160). In addition, technical developments have outpaced the advice in these two documents. It is hoped that this revised Code will help to raise the profile of safety and health issues in ports in all parts of the world and encourage more countries to ratify Convention No. 152 or otherwise implement its provisions. The provisions in this Code cover all aspects of port work where goods or passengers are loaded or unloaded to or from ships and includes work incidental to such loading or unloading activities in the port area. It is not limited to international trade and is equally applicable to domestic operations, including those on inland waterways. The final part of the Code gives brief guidance on matters that are not directly covered by Convention No. 152 but are considered essential to the safe and proper operation of a port. Although some working practices have been replaced by newer methods in many ports, older conventional methods continue to be used in other ports and advice on such methods has been retained in the revised Code. A very wide range of different cargo handling activities is carried out in ports. It is not practical to cover all of them in detail in one volume. However, the Code is intended to cover the most common activities. Where appropriate, reference is made to other international publications.

The following are some particular points concerning the new ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Ports:

1. Those aspects in the old Code that no longer are relevant have been taken out.
2. Many new aspects have been added and many more operational matters have been incorporated. As a result, the new Code deals comprehensively with the current position. It caters for the future by including a methodology for considering innovations.
3. Key additions are:
   • Innovations in ports
   • Traffic and vehicular movements of all types
   • More terminal types, including bulk cargo, passenger and ro-ro terminals
   • More detailed coverage of activities on shore and on ship
   • Amended levels of lighting provision
   • Further coverage of personal protective equipment
   • Provision on ergonomics
   • Provision for disabled persons
   • Inclusion of specific handling of certain cargoes, for example logs, scrap metal and dangerous goods
   • A new Part on health aspects
   • Guidance on environmental considerations

Being aware that there is a need for improvement in the application of the safety and health standards adopted by ILO, the International Labour Office has recently developed a Port Safety and Health Audit Manual (2005) (pdf - 923k), available only in electronic format - to assist Regulatory and Port Authorities, Port Managements, Berth/Terminal Operators and other parties involved in port operations in assessing their compliance with ILO standards as well as their own policies and national requirements.

The aim of this manual is to assit appointed independent and trained auditors to:

• identify strengths, weaknesses and gaps in national and port regulations/policies with regard to safety and health, enforcement, monitoring and reporting, facilities and services, and human resource training and development;
• complete a comprehensive audit report, detailing the non-conformities; and
• prepare a proposed action plan for the management to rectify the detected non-conformities.

The aim of this manual is to assist appointed independent and trained auditors to:

• identify strengths, weaknesses and gaps in national and port regulations/policies with regard to safety and health, enforcement, monitoring and reporting, facilities and services, and human resource training and development;
• complete a comprehensive audit report, detailing the non-conformities; and
• prepare a proposed action plan for the management to rectify the detected non-conformities.

The ILO is in a position to offer to those interested relevant training on the use/implementation of the "Port Safety and Health Audit Manual" (2005).

The preparation by the ILO of training materials (in English) that would support the holding of courses/workshops on the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Ports (2005) is presently in progress. These training materials are expected to be validated in two national tripartite workshops that are scheduled to be held during the second half of August 2005. It is hoped that within 2006, the French and Spanish versions of these training materials would be available.

Contact address for more information

Mr. Marios Meletiou
Sectoral Activities Department
International Labour Office
4 route des Morillons
CH-1211 GENEVA 22, Switzerland
Tel. +41 22 799 7368
Fax +41 22 799 7050
E-mail: meletiou@ilo.org or marit@ilo.org