FRANCIS K. KOMBE

MSc. (PUBLIC HEALTH & EPIDEMIOLOGY),

LEAD EIA EXPERT-NEMA

KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY

HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT

HSE Vision

“To attain a clean, healthy and safe work

environment”.

Our procedures and management systems

are geared to ensuring attainment of this

vision

1. Introduction

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) was established by an act of parliament (The KPA act Cap 378 of 1978) to manage the scheduled Ports along the Kenyan coast, the largest being the Port of Mombasa and the Inland Container Depots.

The Port of Mombasa, located at S 4° 3.1’ and E39° 36.8’on the East Coast of Africa.

The core activities of the Port include: Provision marine services, Stevedoring services Short-term warehousing

These activities have numerous environmental, health and safety aspects. (such as ship waste, oil spill, ballast water, dredging and disposal of dredge material, air pollution, accidents both human and machinery, traffic congestion, hazardous cargo, dust, water quality, noise, occupational illnesses).

They involve intensive use of equipment/machinery and labour.

2. Core Activities

3. HSE Policy

KPA has a policy that guides HSE processes and procedures which comprises:

Commitment statements, defines and assigns specific responsibilities.

Rules and regulations made in conformity to legal requirements, international standards and guidelines. (KPA is ISO 9001:2008 QMS, ISM certified, ISPS Code Compliant and is now implementing ISO 14000 EMS)

Management systems to ensure safe work practices, safe work persons, conservation and protection of the environment among others.

4. Scope Health, Safety and Environment are issues pertinent

in many reputable organizations. The issues are not just crucial to ensure peace, comfort and motivation of workers but are also a sign of organizations’ commitment to social responsibility for well-being and benefit of the whole society and future generations.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is keenly focused on remaining compliant with and promoting global environment, health and safety standards.

This is crucial given the many diverse and extremely busy operations and procedures that have to be conducted daily at East Africa’s largest and busiest port in Mombasa City.

5. Objectives

Protection and conservation of the environment.

Promotion and protection of the health and safety of the work force for higher productivity.

Cargo handling equipment / machinery are safe and readily available.

The above are the fundamental resources and key pillars of the productivity and performance at the Port. They support the achievement of our vision.

6. The Tenets of KPA HSE Policy

Formulation of procedures and systems to comply with Environment, Health and Safety Laws, Regulations, Standards and Conventions.

Training and educating employees and Port users on responsible HS&E practices to prevent accidents and impacts detrimental to the environment.

Response to emergencies to prevent loss of life, damage to property and environment and ensure early restoration of affected facilities and services.

7. Procedures and Processes

Maritime Disaster Management & Preparedness plans

Pollution control services

Port state control activities. (KMA)

Environmental Assessment and monitoring

Environment impact assessments and safety audits for all

projects

Equipment/ machinery safety (Inspection and Preventive

maintenance)

Strict adherence Hazardous Cargo Handling procedures

Response to Environmental Emergencies

8. Achievements

I. Compliance to legal requirements, international standards and guidelines

e.g. EMCA, IMO Conventions

II. Conservation of the general and work-place environmentSignificant improvement of work place infrastructure e.g. sanitary facilities, better use and maintenance of yards and berths, better house-keeping ergonomics and more efficient monitoring of the safe working environment.

Achievements Cont’d

III.Productivity and its sustainability: Increase in productivity through enhanced health of

the workforce and proper maintenance of cargo

handling equipment.

9. Challenges

Resource limitations (capabilities)

Domestication of International Conventions

(Legal Enforcement)

Die hard attitudes by some staff and port users

Social economic factors among others

Parting shot !

From the above account, it is evident that East Africa’s biggest Port happens to be one among the largest implementers and promoters of effective and comprehensive environmental standards in the region. KPA remains a role model and shining star not only in its specialized line of business but also in the increasingly relevant field of Environment, health and safety.

THANK YOU.