3.7 Employment and safety at work in the port community

Estimated total number of direct jobs generated by maritime freight terminals, passenger terminals and companies providing port services (S_19)

The socio-economic impact study is carried out every two years. In 2025, the new study will be prepared with data from 2024.

Requirement for preventive and safety measures (S_20)

The Port Authority of Huelva (APH) has intensified its efforts to promote safety at work and the coordination of business activities (CAE) in the port environment. This commitment has responded to both compliance with the increasingly demanding regulations in force and a growing awareness of its social responsibility and leadership in the area.

Several initiatives have been implemented, including the elaboration of specific protocols, awareness raising and sensitisation of workers and companies, and the creation of effective communication channels to ensure coordination between the different activities taking place in the port. Likewise, the supervision and control of compliance with safety measures has been strengthened, with the aim of minimising occupational risks and guaranteeing a safe and healthy working environment for all the stakeholders operating in the port of Huelva.

In the specifications for the granting of licences or authorisations for the provision of port services, CAE requirements have been established. Specifically, applicants have been required to demonstrate their ability to integrate CAE into their OHS management system, including the designation of a person responsible for coordination, the development of procedures and effective communication to all companies and workers involved.

In the field of concessions, the person in charge of the concession, depending on his/her role as owner or principal of the activity, assumes a fundamental role in the management of the ORP and the CAE, and is responsible for organising and coordinating with them the necessary preventive measures to avoid concurrent or crossed occupational risks.

The Port Authority of Huelva has intensified its efforts to promote safety at work and the coordination of business activities in the port environment.

Ro-ro ramp work.

In this context, and in accordance with the procedures established for the CAE at service docks, as well as in compliance with Article 65 of the Consolidated Text of the Law on State Ports and the Merchant Navy (TRLPEMM), it is established that the broker acting on behalf of the shipowner is responsible for ensuring compliance with the CAE obligations during the ship’s stay in port. This responsibility covers all activities on board and in the vicinity of the ship, except the loading, stowing, unstowing, unloading or transhipment of goods, and the embarkation or disembarkation of passengers. In these specific cases, the responsibility of the CAE lies with the stevedoring company, which directly executes the above-mentioned operations. The stevedoring company must coordinate with the other companies and workers involved in these activities, guaranteeing the health and safety of all those involved.

Mechanisms for the coordination of business activities (S_21)

The CAE is a fundamental pillar of port security management. This implies a proactive commitment to monitor, coordinate and anticipate all interacting circumstances in the complex and dynamic port environment.

In this sense, it was essential to implement an OHS management system covering all the activities carried out in the port; project works, maintenance and conservation of infrastructures and port operations.

CAE is not only a legal obligation, but also an investment that has contributed to improving the efficiency of port operations, reducing the costs associated with accidents at work and creating a safe and healthy working environment for all.

Business Activity Coordination is a fundamental pillar of security management. It involves a proactive commitment to controlling, coordinating, and anticipating all the circumstances that interact in the dynamic port environment.

Internally, APH has the Department of Site Safety and CAE, a multidisciplinary team of highly qualified professionals. They develop and implement the CAE procedures, as well as the supervision and control of the compliance of all companies operating in the port.

Externally, it is supported by specialised engineering, which brings its experience and know-how to complement the work, especially in the CAE on construction sites and other complex projects developed in the port.

This coordinated action for the management of safety in the port environment covers a wide range of activities, from the management of the necessary documentation for the concurrent companies in the various work centres and construction sites, to the control of worker access, the authorisation of suppliers and visitors, and the supervision of compliance with OHS regulations.

Single access work.

To achieve these objectives, the APH’s Site Safety and CAE Department has used a variety of mechanisms and means, including:

• Regular meetings.
• Information exchange.
• Specialised computer applications.
• Recruitment of specialised companies.
• Drafting instructions and procedures.

Given the complexity of the port environment, high coordination and control is required to guarantee the safety of people, the environment and facilities.

In addition, this Department has carried out regular inspections at workplaces and construction sites to verify compliance with regulations. If non-compliance is detected, the necessary preventive and corrective measures are taken to ensure the safety of workers.

Muelle de Tharsis refurbishment work.

Total number and percentage of maritime freight terminals and maritime passenger terminals under concession or authorisation as well as companies licensed or authorised to provide port or commercial services with OHSAS (S_22)

Security and safety training measures for the port community (S_23)

Training and protection measures have been limited to exercises and drills carried out jointly in the field of both safety and security.