The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) and Port of Auckland have launched a joint initiative to tackle fatigue among port workers, with the development of a Fatigue Risk Management System.
A five-day risk assessment workshop is being run this week by Australian consultancy Chronosafe, bringing together workers, MUNZ representatives and management to identify and control fatigue-related hazards in 24/7 operations.
The initiative follows years of advocacy by MUNZ for systemic change to address the dangers of long hours and demanding rosters.
MUNZ Local 13 secretary Grant Williams says fatigue is a major safety issue on the waterfront.
He says “fatigue is a killer on the waterfront”, where workers have been exposed to the risks of cumulative fatigue from long hours and demanding roster patterns.
“This isn’t box ticking, this is about understanding the science of fatigue and building a system that keeps our people safe.
“It’s a positive and significant step to see Port of Auckland working with MUNZ on this project. By engaging world-renowned experts and listening to the workers on the ground, together we can create a system that ensures every stevedore gets home safely to their family at the end of their shift.”
The workshop began with a session from leading fatigue expert Professor Naomi Rogers-Woodhouse, covering human biology, sleep and circadian rhythms.
The project will use the Port Health and Safety Leadership Group’s Good Practice Guidelines as a framework, with the aim of creating a science-backed system that manages risks and educates workers on the long-term health effects of shift work.
Both MUNZ and Port of Auckland say the project represents a commitment to improving health and safety standards across the industry.
