Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority held a one-day workshop on dock safety and hazardous chemical handling on November 28 in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Directorate General, Factory Advice Service and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI). The event at the JNPA Business Facilitation Centre brought together port officials, terminal operators, safety professionals, emergency responders and industry experts to examine risks linked to hazardous cargo movement.
JNPA said the workshop supports its efforts to build a safe and compliant operating environment by embedding global safety practises into routine port operations. The sessions focused on regulatory frameworks, worker competence, radiation preparedness and strategies to manage chemical-related incidents in port zones.
Participants were briefed on national and international rules that guide the handling of dangerous substances at ports and the statutory obligations linked to cargo movement. Speakers discussed the need for trained personnel and competent supervision to prevent incidents.
Another session examined radiation safety protocols, monitoring processes and emergency planning for radiation events.
Experts from DGFASLI outlined risk identification and preventive measures to limit chemical hazards in port areas. Medical professionals explained first response needs, emergency care processes, coordination with health agencies and post-incident management steps.
The workshop is part of a national capacity-building programme to improve hazardous chemical management across major ports. The event was attended by senior figures, including Balasaheb Pawar, Deputy Conservator at JNPA, and Dinesh Kumar Shukla, Chairman of AERB.
Former NDMA member D N Sharma, DGFASLI Deputy Director General Sumit Roy and IIT Bombay professor Sandip Roy also participated alongside technical experts from AERB, BARC, IIT Bombay and DGFASLI.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority is one of India’s major container ports and operates five container terminals and facilities for general cargo and liquid cargo. It also manages a coastal berth and a multi-product special economic zone. JNPA is developing a deep-draft port at Vadhvan, which will be the 13th major port in India.