Blog post: PSS attends Port of Dover Safety Event and Port Exchange

On what was only her second day as a member of the PSS team, Health, Safety and Environment Technician Apprentice Sabaha Raza joined Health, Safety and Culture Lead Jen Maddison for a visit to the Port of Dover to take part in its Port Exchange event, providing an opportunity to learn, network and see port operations first-hand.

The visit began with meeting Health and Safety Systems, and Assurance Technician John Leonidou and learning more about his role within the Port of Dover, including his interest in data analysis.

Jen and Sabaha then set up the PSS exhibition stand and banners, providing an opportunity to represent PSS, speak to colleagues from across the port and take a look at some of the other exhibition stands and different approaches to safety within the industry.

The event included presentations from Port of Dover CEO Doug Bannister and Head of Health and Safety Lee Harrison.

One of the activities that stood out was a hazard-spotting exercise around the building. Rather than simply listening to a presentation, attendees were encouraged to identify hazards for themselves, making the activity more engaging and encouraging people to think actively about safety.

The event also included awards recognising members of the safety community and the contribution they make to improving safety across the organisation.

Sabah’s highlight of the day was a boat tour around the harbour, which provided her with an overview of the operations taking place across both the Eastern and Western Harbours.

“Being on the water provided a completely different perspective compared with seeing the port from land,” she said. “I was able to see how Julian and Peter handled the boat while navigating around the marina and they explained the different aspects of the harbou.”

The tour also provided an insight into the different goods moving through Dover and the connections the port has with destinations around the world. Seeing the port from the water provided a greater appreciation of the scale of the harbour and the amount of activity taking place.

Overall, the visit was a valuable opportunity to learn, network and gain first-hand experience of a busy working port. From the PSS exhibition and hazard-spotting activity to the boat tour and seeing the port operations close-up, the day provided an insight into the different people, systems and safety measures that help keep port operations running safely.

A big thank you to everyone at the Port of Dover who took the time to show us around, share their knowledge and give us a closer look at the work that goes on behind the scenes.

These visits are invaluable for reinforcing the cooperation between PSS and its members. They ground PSS’s national work in local realities and ensure the approach to guidance, campaigns, and collaborative learning reflects the operational context of ports. Members interested in hosting a PSS visit are encouraged to get in touch.