Liaison Committees

Ports, no matter what their size, will involve a number of different employers undertaking a variety of different activities. The actions of one particular undertaking can have an effect on others, which highlights the need for co-operation and co-ordination as required by regulation 11 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

This general requirement is outlined, in a ports specific context, in HSE’s Guidance publication Managing Health and Safety in Dock Work (MHSDW) 2. Regulation 5 of the Docks Regulations 1988 3 requires dock operations to be planned and executed to prevent accidents; whilst encouraging collaboration between the different employers involved. The Port Marine Safety Code 4 provides another framework for co-operation and consultation between employers.

One of the most effective ways of achieving good co-operation and co-ordination and achieving shared health and safety aims and objectives is through the formulation of a Liaison Committee.