Could a ‘safety passport’ help save lives in the UK’s ports? The country’s container ports are some of the busiest in the world, posing numerous health and safety challenges to those working at these sites. It is imperative staff be trained in courses such as basic life support to ensure they are fully prepared for the event of any accidents that may arise.

Port Skills and Safety – an organisation set up by the UK’s ports – has been asking if there is a need for a ‘safety passport’ among its members. The aim of the scheme – if successful – is to standardise safety practices across the ports scattered throughout the UK. Every port does things differently, which is something the idea aims to tackle. A national scheme would ensure a universal standard of safety, reducing the possibility of accidents occurring at any port.

Richard Steele, Head of Port Skills and Safety, says: “The project is at the stage of identifying, if ports want it, what we need to do. How would we need to build a safety passport scheme to make it a no-brainer to use? What sort of content would they expect to see in there? How would the system be delivered? I am hoping that the industry will have an appetite for it. I certainly think our members are open to the idea. It is how you get down to the detail of implementing it.”