Credit:Dublin Port
Dublin Port Company (DPC) kicks off the third annual Irish Port Safety Week at its Substation, marking a significant step towards enhancing safety practices within the maritime industry. Joining forces with Port Authorities from across Ireland, the initiative will run from October 23rd to 27th, aiming to foster a culture of heightened vigilance and responsibility for health and safety.
The collaborative effort will be orchestrated through the Irish Port Safety Forum, offering a platform for various events at Dublin Port throughout the week. One notable feature will be the Road Saftety Authority Shuttle Bus .This interactive tool is designed to bring road safety education to life, providing an engaging and immersive experience for both the public and port workers. Participants will have the opportunity to test and refine their skills in simulated adverse driving conditions.
This emphasis on road safety builds upon Dublin Port’s successful SafePort initiative, which, in the preceding year, led to a reduction in speed limits across the seven unitised terminals. The speed limit was lowered from 40 km/h to 20 km/h, underlining the paramount importance of road safety in and around the bustling port.
Attendees will have the opportunity to witness a staged emergency scenario, where the Irish Coastguard will call upon DPC’s pilot and tug boats for a water rescue at the Poolbeg Yacht Club.
These selected dates for Irish Port Safety Week have been strategically chosen to follow European Safety Week. All ports across the nation have been invited to participate, with various collaborative events tailored to each port.
The themes for Irish Port Safety Week cover a wide spectrum, including the Awareness of Port Golden Rules, Class 3 PPE, Emergency Response, Traffic Management, Employee Wellness, Water Safety, and Safe and Healthy Work in the Digital Age—the overarching theme of European Safety Week.
Since the establishment of Dublin SafePort in 2022, Dublin Port, Ireland’s largest port, has made significant strides in elevating safety measures. This includes the introduction of the ’10 Golden Rules’ and the adjustment of speed limits across its north port road network from 50km/h to 40km/h.
Dublin Port is grateful for the support and cooperation of key partners, such as the Road Safety Authority, An Garda Síochána, Dublin Fire Brigade, the Irish Coast Guard, the RNLI, and other essential services that play a vital role in ensuring safety within the port area.
Michael McKenna, Dublin Port Harbourmaster, expressed his pride in the extensive calendar of events, stating, “Attendees of our many events will come away with a well defended awareness of the SafePort Golden Rules, key emergency response strategies and the wider role everyone has to play in maintaining a safe and welcoming work environment at the Port.”
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Michael O’Reilly of Dublin Fire Brigade affirmed the commitment to collaboration, emphasizing the joint effort to enhance safety standards and create a secure environment for all involved in Dublin Port.
