Shipping & Ports

The port and maritime industry operates under a range of legal requirements to ensure safety and efficient operations in varying weather conditions.

The Harbours Act 1964 mandates ports to manage harbour operations safely, with local risk assessments determining the specific weather-related procedures required. Harbour Revision Orders may include weather-related rules, though these are applied on a case-by-case basis.

The Port Marine Safety Code (PMSC) does not specify numeric weather thresholds but stresses the importance of monitoring weather conditions. Ports must plan operations thoroughly, taking into account current and forecast weather conditions. It also requires authorities to establish procedures for adverse weather that could limit operations.

Under the PMSC, ports are expected to define their own limits for operations. For example, some ports have internal guidelines that stop crane operations when wind speeds reach approximately 35–40 knots, based on safety assessments.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 enforces a duty on employers to provide a safe working environment. Although weather conditions are not directly mentioned, continuing operations in hazardous weather conditions would be considered a violation of the Act.

The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 require that lifting operations must be planned, supervised, and carried out in a safe manner. The Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) for LOLER advises considering adverse weather conditions when planning such operations, although specific limits are not outlined.

Similarly, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 state that equipment must be used only in safe conditions, though it doesn't specify exact weather limits. The regulations highlight the importance of assessing the environment to ensure safe operation.

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 acknowledges severe weather as a potential risk that must be planned for, but it does not specify particular thresholds at which operations must cease.

International standards, including the SOLAS Convention and the ILO Dock Work Convention, stress the need for safe loading and unloading operations. Although they imply weather monitoring is necessary, specific thresholds for halting operations are determined by national or local guidelines.

While legislation may not specify weather-related stoppage thresholds, port authorities are responsible for establishing limits based on local risk assessments. Accurate weather monitoring and detailed records become crucial, ensuring informed decision-making and minimising liability.