Patrick Terminals had no formalised policy in place to provide clear guidance to its stevedoring employees about where they could or could not work on a ship when cargo was being loaded or discharged.
Patrick Terminals have introduced a restricted zone into operations on ships.
As discussed in section 2.5 in the report itself, the ATSB has been advised by Patrick Terminals that, following the accident on 28 March 2010, a restricted zone and associated restricted zone protocol (RZP) was implemented on 30 March 2010. The RZP restricts personnel access to the restricted zone whilst loading/unloading operations are taking place. The RZP is also communicated to the ship's crew. The RZP consolidates the safety information already provided to all employees during induction and the information contained in various safe work instructions. All relevant personnel were trained in the RZP prior to re-commencing work after the accident.
Further, employees and management participated in safety observations specifically to enable them to assess adherence to the RZP. In accordance with existing procedures and team leader requirements, team leaders are to reinforce and monitor adherence to the RZP by workers. Patrick Terminals is in the process of further consultation with employees and Workcover NSW to determine further enhancements to the RZP. One such enhancement is the trialling of a barricade system.
The ATSB is satisfied that the action taken by Patrick Terminals adequately addresses this safety issue.
