NMPA & DGFASLI jointly organize One-Day Workshop on ‘Dock Safety & Handling of Hazardous Chemicals’
MANGALURU : New Mangalore Port Authority in collaboration with the Directorate General Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI) successfully organized a One-Day Workshop on “Dock Safety & Handling of Hazardous Chemicals” on 19th September 2024 at BDC Auditorium NMPA, Mangalore. The workshop aimed to enhance awareness and understanding of the safe handling, regulatory frameworks, and emergency response procedures related to hazardous chemicals at ports.
The event commenced with the Inaugural Session at 10:00 AM, which included the lighting of the lamp and Shri Vipul Mishra, Director, Dock Safety, DGFASLI extended a warm welcome to the dignitaries. Dr. A. V. Ramana, Chairman, NMPA and Shri Alok Mishra, Jt. Secretary, Dir. Gen., DGFASLI (virtually) presided over the inaugural function and Shri. Sumit Roy, Chief Inspector Dock Safety, DGFASLI, Shri Nandakumar. V. P. Director, MRPL, Smt. S. Shanthi, Dy. Chairperson, & Shri Padmanabhachar. K, IOFS, CVO, NMPA were guests of honour.
Shri Vipul Mishra, Director, Dock Safety, DGFASLI gave overview of the workshop and highlighted its significance. Shri. Sumit Roy, Chief Inspector Dock Safety, DGFASLI highlighted critical aspects of Dock Safety and Handling Hazardous Chemicals. Special addresses were delivered by Shri Nandakumar Velayudhan Pillai, Director (Refinery), MRPL, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols in handling hazardous substances.
Chairman, NMPA in his presidential address praised the initiative of the sensitization workshop on the safe handling of hazardous goods, highlighting its importance from ship to shore and beyond. He attributed this initiative to Shri Mansukh Mandaviya ji, Hon’ble Union Minister of Labour & Employment, recognizing his visionary approach and foresight. The Chairman appreciated the Ministry and DGFASLI for organizing this workshop and emphasized the crucial role ports play in import and export processes. Over the past decade, Indian ports have experienced significant growth in capacity and efficiency, transitioning from conventional to mechanized and automated systems to reduce accidents.
The Chairman outlined key safety principles and stressed the importance of automation and technology in reducing incidents, citing examples such as handling containers and hazardous chemicals. He highlighted the potential risks, including container falls and leaks, and advocated for adopting technology like sensors, robotics, and artificial intelligence to mitigate these hazards.
The Chairman proudly stated that despite handling vast cargo volumes, New Mangalore Port maintains zero fatalities due to stringent safety measures. He concluded by emphasizing the government’s goal of achieving a $60 trillion economy by 2047, underlining the importance of safety and security for the workforce.
The workshop was divided into several key sessions :
1. Session 1: Regulatory Framework
This session covered an overview of national and international regulations on dangerous substances. Shri Sumit Roy, DGFASLI, provided insights into the regulatory requirements essential for maintaining safety standards in port operations.
2. Session 2: Safe Handling of Dangerous Substances
Dr. Kunal Sharma from DGFASLI and Prof. Rajmohan from NIT Karnataka discussed competence and supervision in handling explosives and flammable liquids. They also shared best practices for loading, unloading, and storage.
3. Session 3: Hazardous Environments and Emergency Response
The session focused on identifying and managing risks in hazardous environments. Speakers like Shri M. S. Sudarshan, CGM (HSE), MRPL, and Shri Atul Bhongle, GM (Fire & Safety), Mangalore, detailed emergency response procedures and real-life incident analysis.
4. Session 4: Technological Solutions and Innovations in Dock Safety
Topics included the use of advanced technologies and automation in cargo handling at ports to enhance safety. Shri Pramod Kumar Dash, Sr. Dy. Traffic Manager, NMPA, and Ms. Sushma H, Safety Officer, NMPA, contributed to this insightful discussion.
5. Interactive Workshop: Developing Safety Protocols
Participants worked on developing safety protocols for various scenarios, guided by experts from DGFASLI, NMPA, and NIT Karnataka.
The event concluded with a summary of key takeaways, presented by Shri Vipul Mishra, and concluding remarks by Shri Sumit Roy. The workshop provided an excellent platform for participants to gain knowledge on the latest regulations, technologies, and best practices for the safe handling of hazardous chemicals in port operations. The session ended with a group photo capturing the successful culmination of a day dedicated to safety and learning.
This workshop marks a significant step in NMPA’s ongoing efforts to ensure a safe working environment and effective handling of hazardous materials within the port premises. Traffic Manager expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees for their active participation and support, which contributed to the success of the program.