Logistics sector strategy
The HSE Strategy (The Health and Safety of Great Britain - Be Part of the Solution) provides the overall strategic framework for maintaining and improving Great Britain's health and safety performance
Within the framework of the HSE Strategy, individual sector strategies have been developed, with stakeholder involvement, to guide HSE's proactive work.
The Logistics Sector Strategy covers ports, road haulage and postal/courier services. It sets out a series of aims grouped under the goals of the HSE Strategy which, if met would address 'what' needs to be done to improve the Sector's health and safety performance.
The Logistics Sector Strategy is steered by the Logistics Strategy Forum.
Operational units
HSE has a number of operational inspectors and visiting staff who deal with the industry by a range of methods including:
- on-site visits (announced and unannounced)
- investigation of accidents and complaints
- providing guidance and support at visits, by phone or at events
- enforcement where necessary
Sector
The Sector takes an active role in dealing with the industry by:
- working with key industry stakeholders to develop and deliver strategy
- working with other regulators
- providing support, advice and guidance at a national level to HSE's operational inspectors
- gathering intelligence about the health and safety performance of the industry and produces statistics
- producing guidance for the industry
Key industry stakeholders
Port Skills and Safety (PSS)
The aim of PSS is to encourage and promote high standards of health and safety and a highly skilled workforce within the ports industry. PSS is core funded through subscriptions, and is open to all port related organisations.
It has a leading role in:
- production and publication of industry specific guidance material. It has recently produced a series of 'Health & Safety in Ports' guidance sheets which are designed to support the Safety in Docks ACOP (L148) and cover a range of port issues
- organising the Port Skills and Safety Group (PSSG)
- developing National Occupational Standards for the industry
- providing technical advice on any issues relating to health, safety, skills and standards in the ports industry
Port Skills and Safety website
Trade Unions
HSE supports the vital contribution health and safety representatives and trade unions make to maintaining and improving health and safety in the workplace.
HSE places great importance on worker involvement and consultation, which has proved to be key factor to improving health and safety in the workplace.
Within the Ports industry, the main unions that we engage with are Unite the Union and Nautilus.
- Unite the Union website
- Nautilus website
Department for Transport (DfT)
The Department for Transport was set up to provide a stronger focus on delivering the Government's transport strategy. Their role is to set strategy and policy context, and to manage relationships with the delivery agencies.
The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Marine Accident Investigation Branch [MAIB] are part of DfT. HSE works closely with both organisations in areas of shared interest and where the expertise of one organisation can assist the other. The work of MAIB in accident investigation is to discover the cause with a view to preserve life and avoid accidents in the future. It does not apportion blame.
Department for Transport (DfT)
Enforcing authorities at port and dock premises
Within ports, there are a number of different enforcement authorities involved depending on the type of work being carried out. Below is a list of the different agencies with a brief explanation of the areas they cover along with a link to their websites.
Health and Safety Executive
HSE is responsible for regulating work activities carried out by shore-based workers eg stevedores both on port premises and on-board ship.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
MCA is responsible for shipboard activities carried out by ships' crew, marine/maritime safety and ship/navigational safety.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)
Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB)
The MAIB investigates all types of marine accidents to or on board UK ships worldwide and other ships in UK territorial waters.
Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) website
The roles of the HSE, MCA and MAIB are explained more fully in the Memorandum of Understanding between the agencies:
Memorandum of understanding
Explains the cooperation and demarcation between HSE/MCA/MAIB.
Local authority Environmental Health Inspectors
They are generally responsible for work activities in warehouses, shops, catering facilities and offices not on dock premises; leisure activities on or adjacent to inland navigations; and complaints regarding nuisance
Environment Agency
They are responsible for railways on dock premises.
Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR)
They are responsible for railways on dock premises.