There has been an increase in cargo-handling accidents in Hong Kong in recent years. In view of this the Marine Department has set up a working group to review the safety of cargo handling activities and has consulted the industry for comments. There are inadequacies in the existing legislation that are being amended to tighten control and protect workers in the trade. The proposed amendments, among other things, specify that any person undertaking to carry on cargo handling on a vessel must appoint a works supervisor to be in charge of the undertaking on safety matters before commencement of that undertaking. The foreman stevedore in charge of the cargo handling operation in a vessel and the No. 1 lighterman of a lighter are two examples of suitable works supervisors. All appointed works supervisors should have undergone some basic training in marine industrial safety before they are considered competent to carry out the duties required by the regulations.
The council is currently running a training course on Works Supervisor for Shipboard Cargo Handling Industry and this course has been recognised by the Marine Department