Since 2002, 16 people have died due to work activity at Irish docks and several serious accidents that resulted in life changing injuries. Some of the key risks to port workers are: falls from height, falling materials, movement of vehicles, slips trips and falls and loss of control of machinery.

The code has been produced after consultation with representatives from the ports and docks sector. Martin O’Halloran, CEO of the HSA, emphasised the high risk nature of the industry: “Dock work involves the operation of vehicles and machinery, ferries coming and going as well as open water nearby. With the increased size of ships and the use of higher capacity handling equipment, good safety and health is vital at any port or dock.”

The Code applies to commercial ports and dock premises, harbours and canals where goods and passengers are transported, handled or held for the purpose of loading or unloading ships.

Copies of the new code are available at www.hsa.ie.