New data released by the International Cargo Handling Co-ordination Association (ICHCA) reveals the second highest cause of fatal incidents among shore workers in the last 25 years has been collisions involving pedestrians and mobile handling equipment.

The ICHCA, an independent body dedicated to improving safety globally in cargo handling sector, found crush injuries from cargo was the leading cause of death. Falls are the third leading cause of deaths.

ICHCA has undertaken an analysis of almost 500 incidents involving shore workers in the last 25 years, using its ICHCA Severe Risks Dashboards, which it routinely updates.

Among its key findings are that 23% of “high consequence incidents” among shore workers were between pedestrians and mobile handling equipment.

ICHCA says the data “highlights the need for concerted, on-going risk management in the shore-side cargo handling work environment”.

Richard Steele, CEO of ICHCA International continues: “Our intention is to raise the level of awareness of these fatal incidents and their primary causes”.

“Together with our members, we believe that safeguarding all workers employed both directly and indirectly in the workplace is the prime responsibility of operating organisations and authorities of cargo terminals. Through this greater awareness and knowledge, we aim to help minimise these risks in the future.”