Sleep-deprived seamen‘put dockers’ lives at risk’

The lives of dockers in Irish ports are being put at risk because they are working alongside seamen who are “drunk” through lack of sleep, it has been claimed.

According to the International Transport Workers Federation, ship owners whose fleets are delivering a significant percentage of this country’s cargo are forcing their crews to work between 90-161 hours per week. They say that is not only endangering the seafarers but also the dockers receiving their cargo.

Earlier this week the Health and Safety Authority, representatives of employees in the shipping industry and the shipping companies, agreed a draft “code of practice for health and safety in dockwork” which is to be presented to the Government and, it is hoped, will be signed into law.