Pacific Maritime Association

23 Underscoring the importance of training, PMA President Jim McKenna and ILWU President Bob McEllrath appear in videos, noting that safety is a joint effort between workers and employers, and empha- sizing the priority that both place on employee safety and health. In addition to demonstrating align- ment on safety at the leadership level, GST-VIII drives home its theme that "Safety Doesn't Just Happen" by reminding workers to take a pro- active approach in ensuring their own safety and the safety of others. Explained through the 4Cs – Compe- tence, Compassion, Communications and Courage – the training reminds workers to be the best they can be; care and act in the best interests of colleagues; communicate clearly and concisely; and speak up when there is a hazard or problem. Other matters tackled in the training videos and written materials include operating and working around vehicles; working with hazardous materials, steel, logs and other cargo; and recognizing the dangers of drugs and alcohol on the waterfront. Included in the training are worker testimonials that add great value and context to the videos. Beyond the West Coast: Joint Leadership at the National Level The PMA and ILWU have taken a leading role nationally on the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH), which meets to address the concerns of the maritime com- munity on matters relevant to the safety and health of workers at marine terminals. Over the past three years, the PMA and the ILWU have worked together through MACOSH on safety products that have been approved and pub- lished by OSHA for distribution as best safety practices for the greater maritime industry. These products include fact sheets, QuickCards and guidance documents. Also, PMA and ILWU representatives have recom- mended best practices on a wide variety of safety topics including terminal traffic lanes and safety zones; recovery of a person in the water; log-han- dling operations; multi-piece rim wheels; semi-tractor tip over; mechanics working "in the yard;" and many others. Ongoing Collaboration on Safety PMA continues to partner with the ILWU on future safety initiatives as auto- mation, new job duties and new regulations cause both parties to adapt to a new marine terminal environment. For example, to keep pace with growth in maintenance workers over the past six years, the PMA added a representative from one of the largest maintenance companies to the Coast Safety Committee, enabling the group to better address safety issues related to the work of mechanics on the waterfront. Also, as the West Coast takes advantage of its ability to accommodate mega-ships, the PMA is ensuring that workers are trained on new cranes and taking relevant safety measures. At the National Maritime Safety Association's annual meeting, Jim McKenna highlighted the PMA's commitment to cooperation and partnership with the ILWU on safety issues. "Our relationship with the ILWU on safety is very strong," McKenna said. "As we look to the future, it is important that we move forward with the Union at our side and not a step behind us. " Safety on the Waterfront – continued PMA President Jim McKenna addresses industry leaders at a national conference. A safety fact sheet jointly developed by employers and labor. 23 P A C I F I C M A R I T I M E A S S O C I A T I O N T H E Y E A R I N R E V I E W

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