Three port employees in Antigua and Barbuda are the first dock workers in the region to complete an Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) certificate course delivered through an online portal and app.
The technology was developed by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, with support from the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The programme was delivered over three days in April to employees of the Port Authority and the Workers’ Union (ABWU), a press release noted.
ABWU’s Training Officer, Hazel Luke coordinated the sessions. She said the training was essential and highlighted areas that needed to be improved on at the local port.
“One of the interesting things about this programme is that it uses a very pragmatic approach. Participants are trained through real everyday scenarios that they may encounter in their work environment,” Luke explained.
“I found throughout the training that participants were fully engaged and could relate to the information being shared.”
Luke was first introduced to the training in January 2024 at a seminar in Barbados hosted by the International Transport Workers’ Federation Seafarers Trust. After completing the course there, the ABWU accelerated efforts to bring the training to local port workers.
The programme consists of five modules which cover several topics including the role of management in preventing accidents, risk management, risk controls and incident reporting, and a final assessment to complete the training.
One participant, Kambui Samuel, described the training as extremely valuable.
“This has been very informative … it is easy to follow; it gives a lot of insight into things that you should know,” Samuel shared.
The other participants were Amis Pennyfeather, Barry Hodge, Amali Mills and Anderson Edghill.
In 2022, it was reported that more than half of global maritime incidents occurred in ports or terminals. The OSH ports course aims to decrease the number of accidents by supporting workers to increase their knowledge and play an active role in improving occupational safety and health in their workplace.
The ABWU noted that it will continue to facilitate additional OSH training within various sectors.