Between 2004 and 2005 there were 72 major injuries caused by falls from height in docks. Again, in most cases the sources of such accidents are common to industry as a whole. This includes falls from vehicles during loading/unloading/maintenance and falls during building maintenance.
Areas of potential concern in docks include working on container tops, access to and from ships, maintenance of fixtures such as dock lighting and from dock edges.
Stevedores have been injured falling through access hatches on ships where the hatch cover has not been shut. Ships masters should be encouraged to mark such access hatches with warning signs and by painting the hatchway in a contrasting covers. If a ship causes particular concern and there is no willingness to co-operate, the shore side employer should contact MCA.
Port owners, site operators and hauliers will all have responsibilities to provide controls to reduce the likelihood of falls from vehicles.
Port owners and individual site operators will also have a duty to make sure contractors who may be working at height in the port area are properly controlled.
More detailed general guidance on preventing falls from height can be obtained from the main HSE Falls from height web site.