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Reducing the dangers of dock work in the UK, 1899-1939: what can we learn?

16 May 2023 - 16:00 pm - 17:30 pm

Online

How can the past inform our responses to contemporary maritime industry challenges?

Working at the docks, or even passing through them, is a risky business and always has been. Although the nature of cargo and how it is handled have changed dramatically in the last 100 years, largely due to the arrival of the shipping container, basic similarities remain. Loading and unloading cargo is inherently dangerous in an environment full of hazards: heavy machinery, large ships, confined spaces, and deep water. In recent years, dock workers have continued to suffer injuries and even die as a result of workplace accidents, both in highly regulated settings such as the UK, and around the world.

The period 1899-1939 saw great improvements in safety on docks in the UK, where there were 115 fatalities across all docks in 1899 and a relatively low 69 in 1939. How do all the stakeholders in a dangerous industry – political decision makers, commercial interests, employees and unions – work together to make such improvements? What conditions support improvement that we might be in danger of losing or overlooking today?

This panel discussion brings history and the maritime industry together and marks the publication of the second report in the Hindsight Perspectives series:

Reducing the dangers of dock work in the UK, 1899-1939: how past approaches could prevent future tragedies, by Dr Guy Collender.

Read more about the project here and sign up for the project newsletter here.

Dr Guy Collender, Associate Tutor, Birkbeck University of London

Dr Derek McGlashan, Head of Health, Safety and Wellbeing, Head of Strategic Projects, Port of London Authority

Chair: Alix Mortimer, Research Engagement Manager, Hindsight Perspectives for a Safer World, King's College London

This event will be held on Zoom and the link will be sent a day in advance.


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16:00 pm - 17:30 pm

Location:
Online
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https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reducing-the-dangers-of-dock-work-in-the-uk-1899-1939-what-can-we-learn-tickets-624471540187
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Contact Email:
alix.mortimer@kcl.ac.uk
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