OSH Ports App – Empowering Safer, Healthier Port Workplaces
The challenge
Port workers in many regions, particularly in the Arab World, Latin America, and the Caribbean, face high rates of serious injuries and fatalities due to outdated infrastructure, unsafe equipment, and a lack of health and safety training. Worker participation in safety decisions has historically been limited, and communication between management and workers on occupational safety and health (OSH) issues has often been minimal.
The innovation
The OSH Ports App, developed by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and ITF Dockers’ Section, is a mobile training tool designed to improve safety and health awareness among port workers. It promotes active worker participation in OSH practices and provides accessible, self-paced learning through five interactive modules:
- Introduction to OSH in Ports
- How and Why Things Go Wrong
- Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment
- How to Control Risk
- Information and Communication
The app includes assessments, certification, real-life safety stories, and is available in English, Arabic, Spanish, and Portuguese. It is supported by a Trainers’ Manual, promotional materials, and “Training the Trainer” (TtT) workshops to build local capacity.
How it works
Initially launched in the Arab World in 2020, the app was distributed through local unions and reached over 1,400 users. Based on feedback, ITF introduced in-person TtT workshops and a Trainers’ Manual to support delivery. In 2024, the program expanded to Latin America and the Caribbean, with workshops held in Barbados, Argentina, Brazil, and Panama. These sessions enabled deeper engagement, technical support, and higher completion rates.
Case study
In the Arab World, the app raised awareness and improved basic OSH knowledge. In Latin America and the Caribbean, all 59 workshop participants completed the course and began training others in their ports. In Barbados, the local union delivered five workshops to 49 workers, including management. This led to a cultural shift - workers now actively participate in hazard identification and risk control, and collaboration with management has improved significantly.
Potential impact
The OSH Ports App is transforming how safety is approached in ports by:
- Increasing worker confidence and participation in OSH
- Reducing accidents through better hazard awareness
- Strengthening collaboration between workers and management
- Creating a scalable, multilingual training model for global use
- Date
- 22/07/2025
