Apply exclusion zones and communication protocols during crane and gantry lift operations.
Occupational Health & Safety
Safe Cargo Handling Operations in Ports and Container Terminals
Learn to control crane lift, container stacking, lashing and confined space risks in port cargo operations, aligned with ILO and IMDG Code requirements.
🗓️Duration5 training days
📚Content4 modules · 8 sessions
🎓On completionAccredited attendance certificate
About the programme
Course Overview
A container with an inaccurate declared weight can destabilise a stack or overload a crane, and a stevedore working under a suspended load without a clear exclusion zone is one signal failure away from serious injury. This course teaches terminal operators, stevedores and port safety advisers how to control the specific hazards of cargo handling in ports and container terminals, from crane and reach stacker operation to container stacking, lashing and unlashing sequences. Participants cover the verified gross mass requirement for containers, dangerous goods handling under the IMDG Code, and confined space entry into ship holds and enclosed cargo spaces. The course addresses quay edge fall and drowning risk, mooring line snap-back zones, and the exclusion zones required during crane lifts and gantry crane movements. Sessions reference the ILO Code of Practice on safety and health in ports as a structure for organising terminal safety management, and include practical exercises in planning a lift exclusion zone and reviewing a lashing sequence for a live stack. By the end, participants can identify the controls that keep cargo operations moving without exposing workers to preventable risk.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Verify container gross mass declarations before loading decisions are finalised.
Sequence container lashing and unlashing operations to avoid working under suspended loads.
Identify dangerous goods handling requirements for containers carrying hazardous cargo.
Assess confined space entry procedures for ship holds and enclosed cargo areas.
Recognise mooring line snap-back zones and quay edge fall and drowning risks.
Structure terminal safety management with reference to recognised port safety guidance.
Who Should Attend
Terminal operations managers responsible for crane, stacking and lashing safety.
Stevedores and dockworkers involved in container handling and cargo securing.
Port health and safety advisers auditing cargo handling procedures.
Crane and reach stacker operators requiring a broader operational safety picture.
Shipping line representatives coordinating cargo declarations with terminal operators.
Freight forwarders and exporters responsible for accurate dangerous goods documentation.
Course Modules
Select any module to see its sessions and points.
01Crane and Lifting Operations
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Planning Safe Lifts
- Set exclusion zones around crane and gantry operations before a lift sequence begins.
- Confirm lifting gear inspection status before attaching a spreader or lifting beam.
- Coordinate signaller and operator communication throughout a container lift.
- Suspend lifting operations when wind speed or visibility exceeds the crane's safe limits.
Session 2Verifying Cargo Weight and Stability
- Check verified gross mass documentation against the terminal's weighing procedure before loading.
- Flag a discrepancy between declared and measured weight before a container is stacked or loaded.
- Assess stack stability implications when a container's weight affects the planned tier position.
- Reject or hold cargo where weight documentation cannot be verified before departure.
02Container Stacking and Securing
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Sequencing Stacking Operations
- Plan stacking sequences that keep heavier containers at lower tiers for stability.
- Identify twist lock and corner casting condition before containers are stacked or lifted.
- Coordinate reach stacker and straddle carrier movement around active stacking zones.
- Apply exclusion zones for personnel during automated or semi-automated stacking operations.
Session 2Lashing and Unlashing Safely
- Sequence lashing and unlashing so no worker stands beneath a suspended or unsecured container.
- Inspect lashing equipment, twist locks and bridge fittings before each securing operation.
- Apply fall protection measures for lashing tasks performed above deck level.
- Coordinate lashing gang movements with crane operations to avoid working in the lift path.
03Managing Dangerous Goods and Confined Spaces
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Handling Dangerous Goods Cargo
- Identify IMDG Code classification and segregation requirements for hazardous containers.
- Check placarding, documentation and stowage position against dangerous goods requirements.
- Plan emergency response arrangements for a dangerous goods leak or fire on the quay.
- Restrict access to dangerous goods handling areas to trained and authorised personnel.
Session 2Entering Confined Cargo Spaces
- Classify ship holds and enclosed cargo spaces against confined space entry criteria.
- Test atmosphere for oxygen deficiency and hazardous gases before permitting entry.
- Assign a trained attendant and rescue plan before any confined space entry begins.
- Coordinate entry permits between ship's crew and shore-based terminal personnel.
04Managing Quay-Side and Environmental Risks
2 sessions · 8 points
Session 1Controlling Quay Edge and Mooring Hazards
- Identify mooring line snap-back zones and keep personnel clear during mooring operations.
- Apply fall prevention measures and lifebuoy provision along quay edges.
- Coordinate ship-to-shore communication during berthing and unberthing operations.
- Respond to a person overboard scenario with a rehearsed recovery procedure.
Session 2Structuring Terminal Safety Management
- Reference the ILO Code of Practice on safety and health in ports when structuring procedures.
- Audit contractor and stevedoring gang compliance with terminal safety procedures.
- Investigate cargo handling incidents to identify equipment, procedure or communication failures.
- Review terminal safety performance data to prioritise training and equipment investment.
What the participant receives
4 course modules
A structured syllabus
8 training sessions
across 5 days
32 detailed points
Applied, detailed content
Accredited attendance certificate
On completing the programme
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