The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) successfully observed the 53rd National Safety Week from March 4th to March 11th, 2024. The week-long campaign aimed to reaffirm the commitment of all stakeholders towards prioritizing safety practices throughout the year.
This year’s theme, “Focus on Safety Leadership for ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) Excellence,” underscored the pivotal role of strong safety leadership in achieving excellence in environmental, social, and governance aspects within port operations.
The observance commenced on March 4th with an inaugural function, featuring a safety pledge ceremony attended by port employees, staff, and users. Throughout the week, various programs and competitions were organized to raise awareness and promote safe work practices.
The valedictory function, held on March 11th at the NMPA Auditorium, was presided over by Dr. A. V. Ramana, Chairman of NMPA. Dr. G. Srinikethan, President of Institution Innovation Council Director (Technical Research) at NITTE, Mangalore, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
During his address, Dr. G. Srinikethan commended the port’s growth and highlighted the global transformation in cargo handling operations, emphasizing the shift towards mechanization for enhanced safety standards. He stressed the importance of preventive measures, especially in hazardous cargo handling.
Dr. A. V. Ramana, Chairman of NMPA, emphasized safety in his presidential speech, urging everyone to prioritize safety measures in daily activities. He praised the port’s minimal accidents and fatalities despite handling substantial cargo volumes. Stressing the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), he shared instances where immediate SOPs were implemented to address incidents. Dr. Ramana advocated for rail transportation over road transportation to prevent accidents and urged stakeholders to prioritize safety.
The event was also graced by other dignitaries including Shri. K.G. Nath, Dy. Chairman, Shri. Padmanabhachar. K (IOFS), CVO, and Shri Gopinath, Asst. Director (Safety), Inspectorate of Dock Safety, NMPA.
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