Major port terminal company implementing policy to keep drivers in trucks at terminals

Updated May 12, 2015

portBy the end of 2016, APM Terminals’ new safety campaign will require all truckers entering their facilities to remain in their trucks.

This effort should eliminate one of the top high-risks areas in terminal operations that lead to injuries, the Netherlands-based company announced April 29. Most accidents occur when truckers are driving or waiting in the terminal yard, according to APM’s Jeff De Best.

“Potential injuries related to outside drivers, trucks, yard traffic, miscommunication and human error can be eliminated by keeping drivers inside their trucks at all times when in our terminals,” De Best said. “Terminal operations is a repeat business and our aim is to effectively identify, plan for and mitigate risks to truckers in our facilities.”

APM owns and manages terminals at major ports around the world.

The lead risk areas associated with 90 percent of fatalities at terminal facilities are moving freight; suspended loads and lifting; stored energy or electricity; working at heights and control of outside contractors in the terminal. Truckers and other non-terminal employees are often at the greatest risk of injury during operations.

The company will analyze the operational process related to truckers across to APM terminals, using everything from mapping tools to trucker interviews. The result should be a well-developed, clearly defined policy and procedure.

Greater automation and changes in terminal operations procedures have already reduced the number of outside truckers in some facilities, it stated. Truckers cannot enter its Tangier, Morocco terminal yard, while battery-powered lift-automated guided vehicles transport containers within the yard at Rotterdam’s Maasvlakte II.

The container terminal operating company describes itself as North America’s largest terminal operator, with operations in Los Angeles, Miami and six other major U.S. ports.