The Port of London Authority (PLA) has launched a new safety campaign on ‘Human Factor’ which is based on UK MCA’s ‘Deadly Dozen‘. The Port Authority focuses on this important issue following analysis of incident data which revealed that it has been the leading cause of navigational incidents on the tidal Thames in the last two years.
The campaign was launched during the port’s Annual Stakeholder Forum earlier in May where Bob Baker, PLA Chief Harbour Master stated
“Over the last two years, human error was linked to more than 40% of the accidents on the river. Often it’s the simplest of things that trip people up, whether recognising that their mind’s not on the job or suddenly thinking ‘I wasn’t clear in my instructions’.”
The campaign highlights the Deadly Dozen things to watch out for:
- Habits – Don’t confuse efficiency with dangerous short cuts
- Unity – Do you work well together?
- Mindfulness – What have I missed?
- Attentiveness – Are you multi–tasking or dangerously distracted?
- Notifying – Do you speak up when you should?
- Fitness for duty – Are you fit to carry out your duties safely?
- Ability – Is your crew capable?
- Communication – Do you understand each other?
- Tensions – Are you just busy or dangerously overloaded?
- Overtired – Are you just tired or dangerously fatigued?
- Routine – Just because things are going well now, doesn’t mean they can’t go wrong.
- Safety Culture – Do it the safe way, do it the right way, do it everyday.
Mr Baker also informed that over the next twelve months the campaign will focus on tips to river users on a variety of elements, including best practice, communication and avoiding distractions.
“Our statistics show, for example, that as the winter nights close in, the risk of accidents increases. October, between 5 pm and 6 pm, is a real accident ‘hot spot’ people need to be alert to, for example.”
SAFETY4SEA has created an useful infographic to illustrate all important findings of the Deadly Dozen for consideration. It is included in latest SAFETY4SEA Log, which can be viewed online by clicking here.
You may explore more about the campaign by clicking here.
