Safety First !

Longshoring is one of the most dangerous ways to make a living in the world. Before the ILWU began bringing safer conditions to the docks in the late 1930s, this industry was second only to mining in terms of serious injuries and deaths.

Since the ILWU's birth in the 1934 Big Strike--the historic tie-up of all West Coast shipping by longshore workers and all the maritime trades--the union has compelled the shipowners and stevedoring companies to accept some very restrictive work rules to protect workers from being injured, maimed and killed on the docks.

These rules--known collectively as the Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code--form a part of the ILWU-PMA Contract. The Safety Code is a manual that defines the duties of employers, vessels and supervision to provide safe working conditions and adequate safety gear, prohibits a wide range of dangerous company practices, and details unsafe conditions and situations that workers should avoid. Its 158 pages boil down to the workers' absolute right to stop work in any unsafe situation.

This Safety Code represents one of the union's most important achievements on the West Coast waterfront. Generations of longshoremen before us fought and died to win and maintain the working conditions we have today.

Brothers and sisters, study these rules carefully: If you don't know your rights, you don't have any. The life you save may be your own, or your best friend's.

 

Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code - 2002 Revision

Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code - 1999 Revision

Pacific Coast Marine Safety Code - 1996 Revision

 

In addition to the PCMSC, there are other important documents about safety on the docks. One of these is the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for marine terminals. This booklet includes all the federal safety and health standards concerning the marine terminal and longshoring industries, as contained in Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1917 and 1918, as of June 30, 2000. Although much of our Safety Code is duplicated in this OSHA booklet, you may nevertheless find it informative:

OSHA Safety & Heath Regulations for Marine Terminals & Longshoring