3. How Sri Lanka Port Authority Manage Employee Health and Safety.

Port environments can be loud and busy places. Workers and all other persons engaged in, or in the vicinity of port operations need to be aware of health and safety risks present while carrying out their work. In Sri Lanka Port Authority there are several ways to manage their employee health and safety. It means they are highly concerned about the employee health and safety. They are using policies, training methods, awareness programs, and supplying medical facilities to the employees.

1. Training and Education Programmers,

In Sri Lanka Port Authority has a training institute called "Mahapola Port and Maritime Academy". After the Ports Authority was formed in 1979 it revealed the necessity of establishing a fully equipped Training Institute to undertake skill manpower requirements in all aspects of the port in compliance with the port developments taking place in transforming the Colombo Port into a Leading container Pivot Port in the region. SLPA-Mahapola Training Institute which was built on 5.5 acres of land with approximate cost of Rs. 45 million was declared open in 1987. The UNCTAD\ILO has also assisted through the UNDP project to the value of US $665,929 in the form of consultancy, equipment, and training of trainers.

 

According to this institute, they are trying to achieve these objectives,

• Training of SLPA personnel on an ongoing basis to improve the skills and knowledge of employees for the enhancement of efficiency, productivity, and safety at workplaces.
• Providing educational and training facilities for all categories of Port users.
• Providing training to outside personnel both local & foreign in different fields of port-related activities.
• Providing assistance in the training efforts undertaken on a national basis in the national interest.
• Providing Maritime Seamanship, Technical, Safety, Port Operation, Management, Equipment Handling, and Information System.

  2. Safety Equipment and Facilities,

SLPA provides good training in every type of equipment and gives safety equipment and facilities to their employees. Firstly they gave a better training program through the "Mahapola Academy" about the equipment. After that, they put employees in the field with a supervisor officer. Also, they use new high-technology equipment for minimize the risk.

3. Physically Health and Safety,

There are a lot of dangerous activities in the Sri Lanka Port Authority. Such as, Granty Operations, transfer crane operations, underwater operations, dealing with heavy machines, cargo handling, and work with chemical gasses, etc. According to these points, Sri Lanka Port Authority has created a medical center for every employee. This medical center includes doctors, professional nurses, and qualified medical assistants. This medical center is 24 hours open and it provides these facilities to the employees,

• In the event of an accident, prompt attendance and treatment.
• Free drug supply to the employees.
• Aware programs about how to maintain good health.
• Free consulting from professional medical staff.
• Consulting about how to minimize accidents.
• Aware health and wellness programs.
• Keep the medical records of every employee.
• Conduct Health, Safety, and Environmental training for staff at all levels.

 4. Make Policies and Procedures for Health and Safety 

In SLPA is the central hub for cargo transportation and, as such, there are many potentially hazardous situations. Therefore many policies for every equipment and every activity. These policies are divided into many categories. such as,

• Preventing Workplace Accidents - Workplace accidents can happen at any moment. According to that point, the Sri Lanka Port Authority uses procedures for that. Such as, working under the influence of alcohol is prohibited, and Operational staff must work under a shift working system.

• Regarding Equipment Handling - Must be qualified to handle that equipment. It means that employees must get training or be qualified through the "Mahapola Academy" to handle the equipment.  

• Employee Medical Condition - If any employee has medical problems, that employee should obtain a medical report through the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Medical Center to that the employee can work properly. If that employee passes the medical tests, then the employee can go back to work.

• Use Safety Tools - Every operational employee must use the safety tools during work. As an example, Granty crane operators, and transfer crane operators must be wearing safety helmets, and gloves, also boatmen must be wearing life jackets during work, and Chemical operators must wear chemical protection suits

5. Emergency Preparation.

Sri Lanka Port Authority is always ready for any emergency situations. In this kind of industry, emergency accidents can happen at any moment. Therefore the fire brigade unit was established to achieve that purpose. In SLPA there well-trained employees were in the fire brigade unit, every employee is trained from "Mahapola Academy" and qualified for this job. These are the main duties to they have to complete,

• Extinguishing fires in their area
• Rescuing and protecting people in the event of other emergencies
• Protecting life and property in the area.

6. References,

Sri Lanka Ports Authority - Mahapola Academy. Available at: https://www.slpa.lk/port-colombo/mahapola-academy (Accessed: 11 April 2024).