Ports industry - Legal requirements

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act), employers, people in control of premises, the self-employed and employees must ensure the health and safety of others and themselves so far as is reasonably practicable..

There are also regulations that apply to all industries because many of the hazards will be the same regardless of the industry involved. But some industries do have specific pieces of legislation. In the port industry, these include:

• The Docks Regulations 1988;
• The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations (DSHAR)1987; and
• The Loading and Unloading of Fishing Vessels Regulations 1988.

The Approved Code of Practice Safety in Docks (COP25) covers the Docks Regulations 1988 but much of that material has been repealed and replaced by more recent legislation.

• Editorial note to explain these amendments

The HSW Act and associated regulations do not apply to seamen working on board ship under the control of the ship’s master. Comparable Merchant Shipping Health & Safety Regulations do apply to ship's crew and are enforced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).