ETF, ECSA and EMPA welcome the new recommendations by the European Healthy GateWays on personal protective equipment (PPE) and call for a common approach for the health and safety of maritime transport workers and smooth and efficient operations in ports.
Maritime professionals across the whole European shipping industry are working hard to ensure the continued supply of goods, energy and equipment and the necessary transport services to millions of citizens currently affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To ensure these professionals are able to do their jobs in a safe and healthy environment, as well as to keep the maritime logistics chain working smoothly, it is important to have a clear and common approach on procedures applying to the physical interface between the vessels’ crew and external workers visiting the vessel, including pilots.
In their new statement, the industry representatives welcome the additional guidance provided by the EU Healthy GateWays on the recommended PPE and urge member states to effectively work towards the implementation of the guidance and adapt national guidance accordingly.
In practice, this would mean that all ‘visitors’ should wear PPE, (including masks) provided by their employers and apply rules of social distancing (maintaining a distance of at least 1,5m) when boarding a vessel. Serious consideration should also be given to the EHG’s recommendations regarding temperature testing.
The joint statement is available for download here.