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ITF concerned over Oz dockside safety skimping

30/09/10

The ITF has signaled its concern over apparent attempts by an Australian employer to remove a government mandated safety role from dockside operations.

The Federation has been alerted by the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) to instances where a company sought to undermine the role of the ‘hatchman’ – someone who can act when needed to alert crane operators to dangers in any area where their vision may be obscured.

Despite the provision of someone to carry out this duty when necessary being mandated under Australian government Marine Orders, the MUA has reported cases in June this year where dockers had to threaten action and call in the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in order to block attempts to order workers to carry on without one.

ITF Dockers’ Section Secretary Frank Leys stated: “So far dockers have successfully resisted attempts to force or con them into working without a lookout. Well and good, but the attempt should never have been made, and could be a harbinger of a longer running strategy to get this job scrapped – which would be pure folly”

He continued: “When needed, the hatchman acts as the eyes of the crane driver in those parts of a hatch which their vision would not otherwise cover. I am seriously concerned at recent developments on the Fremantle waterfront and across the Australian waterfront generally as some employers seek the removal of lookouts from stevedoring operations. Similar attacks on the hatchman position have been reported in Townsville, Darwin, Brisbane and Port Kembla.”

He concluded: “The ITF supports the MUA's international claim for maintenance of hatchmen or similar designated employees in stevedoring operations, and will take up the issue with stevedoring operators, international shipping companies and beyond.”

Australian Marine Orders state:

Appendix 18 Clause No.1

Provision of hatchman

Loading or unloading by means of a crane or
derrick must not be carried out unless:
(a) the driver has an unrestricted view of
the load at all times during loading or
unloading; or
(b) a hatchman is employed for each crane or
set of derricks who is clearly visible to the
driver(s).

Appendix 6 Clause No. 4

Cargo space lookout

Where persons are in a cargo space in connection
with loading or unloading, whether or not a
crane or derrick is being used, there must be a
lookout who:
(a) has a good view of the space;
(b) is able to see potential dangers to
the persons in the space; and
(c) is able to communicate with the persons
in the space,
and who must warn persons in the space of any
perceived danger.

Note: The cargo space lookout may be a person with other
duties, such as a hatchmen or the crane driver, provided
that the person is capable of performing all assigned duties
effectively.

ENDS

The MUA has issued advice to Australian dockers on their right to have a hatchman present when needed. See www.mua.org.au/news/hatchman-under-attack

For more information contact ITF press officer, Sam Dawson.
Direct line: + 44 (0)20 7940 9260.
Email: dawson_sam@itf.org.uk

International Transport Workers' Federation - ITF:
HEAD OFFICE
ITF House, 49 - 60 Borough Road, London SE1 1DS
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7403 2733
Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7375 7871
Email: mail@itf.org.uk
Web: www.itfglobal.org

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