Managing Director urges KPA staff to promote safety
Mombasa – April 28, 2017
Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Mrs. Catherine Mturi-Wairi has urged staff to prioritise safety at the workplace through proactive approaches.
Speaking on Friday during a colorful closing ceremony of the Safety Week at the KPA headquarters, the Managing Director said putting safety first would help to prevent accidents and unnecessary damage to property at the port.
Managing Director Mrs. Catherine Mturi -Wairi inspects a guard of honour mounted by the KPA Security.
"There is clear evidence everywhere in the world that prevention is better than cure. At the Kenya Ports Authority, we are very much aware of this and therefore seek to protect workers, port users, visitors and the environment by preventing major accidents through proactive approaches," said the MD.
Mrs. Wairi further observed that all those who work in ports need to recognise the close interdependence of productivity and safety and health at work noting that at KPA that was a fact well known.
"That is why we have an elaborate Occupational Health and Safety Policy together with the Green Port Policy as confirmation of our commitment to Health, Safety and Environment."
A section of KPA staff follow proceedings of the closing ceremony of the Safety Week.
She added that through experience it has been proved that improvements in safety for workers through effective loss control practices can be financially rewarding to an organisation and subsequently the benefits could be spread to other stakeholders.
The MD at the same time hastened to emphasize on the urgency for change in ports saying it was overwhelming since ports are generally high risk environments considering the nature and types of cargo handled.
"Safety management in ports and elsewhere inevitably means changing human behavior, to develop deep interest and desire to embrace safety in everything we do. I have learnt that safety is not just reflector, boots and helmets. It is in one's mind – it is your conviction in doing right things right," she added.
During the function the MD announced to the participants last year's port performance saying the port handled 27.36 million tons up from 26.73 million tons handled in 2015.
In terms of container volumes, she said the port handled 1.091 million TEUs in 2016 up from 1.076 million TEUs in 2015.
KPA St. John Ambulance First Aiders sennsitise staff on disaster risk reduction during the event.
Others who spoke during the function include Mr Mutuku Nzioki, a representative of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Captain Muli, representative of the Director General, Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA), Caroline Sambalo representative of the Dock Workers Union Secretary General, Mr. Julius Maghanga, Principal Safety Officer, Eng. Javan Wanga, Chairman Safety Sub Committee and Dr. Gome Lenga, the Chairman Workplace Health and Safety Sub Committee.
The event which coincided with the ILO World Day for Safety and Health at work featured entertainment by KPA Taarab Group, security parade and a short skit by KPA Peer educators, Port Fire Brigade and KPA First Aiders.
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