'Few Incidents in Terminals are Unpreventable,' says TT Club Executive

Speaking at the Trans Middle East Conference in Doha, Qatar last month, Julien Horn, TT Club's Middle East Regional Executive and Director of TTMS (Gulf), the Network Partner based in Dubai, lay particular emphasis on the role human error plays in creating damaging incidents at cargo handling terminals and other facilities.

London & Dubai, 11 June 2015

According to TT Club's analysis some 82% of accidents in the port and terminal sector can be attributed to human error. The Club strongly urges counter measures, particularly professional training and the installation of safety technology, to combat these risks.

TT Club's research, covering over 9,500 claims of a value in excess of US$10,000 made over the last seven years, and totally over US$425 million, provides compelling data that pinpoints the areas of concern. Of claims resulting from operational incidents for example, 20% involved lift-trucks, 18% quay cranes and another 18% yard cranes or straddle carriers. This analysis in itself can guide operators in where best to concentrate their risk planning. However it is on the root causes of accidents that TT Club urges attention to be made.

"The prime concern is one of culture," declared Horn, "There must be a 'safety first' running through the work ethic of all terminal personnel throughout the Middle East, and indeed the world as whole." Through a detailed examination of it historical claims, TT Club has found numerous examples of a lacking in safety awareness among terminal personnel. This ranges from, little understanding of areas in which lifting machinery operates and from straying into prohibited sectors in vehicles or on foot, to wrongly identified weights or cargoes in containers.

Preventative measures are numerous and many are specific to the type and nature of the equipment operated in individual facilities. Such measures may include quay crane boom anti-collision devices and adequate crane braking systems, regular equipment maintenance regimes, fire prevention systems, adoption of best practice in packing and handling of cargo, and appropriate processing of dangerous goods.

Horn returned to the human aspect, "We often hear descriptions of incidents as, 'a freak accident' or 'just bad luck'. Inevitably, however it is a preventable human action that is the cause of these 'one in a million' chance occurrences". He concluded, "Good, consistent and diligent training regimes are clearly a fundamental building block in eradicating incidents that can result in serious bodily injury and sadly, in some cases, death. But at the heart of a successful risk management policy is the attitude that safety is everyone's responsibility."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

TT Club

TT Club is the international transport and logistics industry's leading provider of insurance and related risk management services. As a mutual insurer, TT Club exists to provide its policyholders with benefits, which include specialist underwriting expertise, a world-wide office network providing claims management services, and first class risk management and loss prevention advice.

Customers include some of the world's largest shipping lines, busiest ports, biggest freight forwarders and cargo handling terminals, to companies operating on a smaller scale but whose operations face similar risks. TT Club specialises in the insurance of Intermodal Operators, NVOCs, Freight Forwarders, Logistics Operators, Marine Terminals, Stevedores, Port Authorities and Ship Operators.

www.ttclub.com

About Thomas Miller

Thomas Miller is an independent and international provider of insurance, professional and investment services.

Founded in 1885, Thomas Miller's origins are in the provision of management services to mutual organisations, particularly in the international transport and professional indemnity sectors; where today they manage a large percentage of the foremost insurance mutuals. Thomas Miller also manages insurance facilities for all the self-employed barristers in England & Wales, as well as trustees of pension schemes, patent agents and housing associations.

Principal activities include:

Management services for transport and professional indemnity insurance mutuals

Investment management for institutions and private clients

Professional services

Building defects insurance



www.thomasmiller.com

Photo Note:

A high resolution digital image of Julien Horn is attached.

Contacts:

Media:

Peter Owen