Ports, by their very nature, are dangerous environments. Port of Belize Ltd is fully committed to ensuring the safety of all Staff and Visitors to the terminal, to ensuring zero harm, and we continue to work on building our safety capacity and culture further. We were pleased to have had satisfactory safety performance so far in 2022, but like all systems, this is subject to continuous improvement and the job of safety is never finished. The Port, guided by local and international conventions and best practices, is responsible for policy and protocol definition, implementation, and enforcement. Our Staff, Contractors, Customers and Visitors are responsible for complying with the safety policies and protocols. We therefore kindly ask for your utmost cooperation to ensure that all persons leave the Port in the same condition in which they arrived

Safety is a shared responsibility, and all (Visitors and Staff) are encouraged to proactively report any breaches, concerns, observations, incidents, accidents, injuries or near-misses to PBL Management for our follow-up actions.

The Security of the facility is governed by full compliance with ISPS (International Ship and Port Security) standards. For both Safety and Security reasons, the below protocols are in place and must be observed.

Covid-19 specific protocols

• If you feel unwell, please do not attempt to enter the facility
• Please practice good hand-hygiene
• Face masks are recommended, but not compulsory
• These protocols will be updated based on MoHW guidance

Container Yard Requirements

• The yard is a pedestrian-free environment, bicycles are also prohibited
• Other than Staff and external truck drivers, there is no other permitted access to the yard, With the exception of agents checking reefers or assisting truck operators at the Warehouse
• If you have an ad-hoc requirement to visit the yard, an application to the Operations Manager and Security Manager can be made for consideration
• All persons in the container yard are to wear protective footwear, high-visibility clothing and hard-hats
• Container truck drivers are to always remain in their cabs (except for the occasional unlocking of jammed twistlocks) and alert, and follow the instructions of the PBL Supervisors and Stacker Operators or Coupling-Men
• Always avoid positioning yourselves or your vehicles under suspended loads
• Avoid creating obstacles and bottlenecks for other traffic
• The speed limit in the yard is 15 miles (24 kilometers) per hour
• Handheld devices may not be used when your vehicle is in motion, nor may headsets/headphones be used
• In cab radio volumes are to be minimized
• Excessive use of horns is prohibited
• Hazard lights must be on for all non-container carrying vehicles

Container Pier Head Requirements

• Only authorized agents with port passes are permitted on the trestle and pierhead
• Protective shoes, high-visibility clothing and hard hats are to be worn always
• Only One (1) agent vehicle is permitted to be parked at the pierhead concurrently
• Vehicles must be parked in such a way that does not impede container crane handling or movement or towhead access or forklift paths
• Do not drive or walk or stand under suspended loads
• Use the garbage bins provided for waste disposal
• Where an agent needs to communicate with the port, this must be channeled through the Operations Foreman or Supervisor only

Trestle Driving Requirements

• Hazard lights are to be always on
• The speed limit is 15 miles (24 kilometers) per hour
• From the pier foot, do not enter the trestle if a vehicle from the pier head is approaching and will pass the passing bay before it sees your vehicle, pull to the right to allow approaching vehicles to pass
• From the pier head, do not enter the trestle if a vehicle from the pier foot has passed the passing bay
• When two vehicles are approaching from different directions, the first one to reach the passing bay must pull into the bay and await the passing of the other vehicle.
• During darkness hours and periods of low visibility headlights are to be dimmed on the vehicle in the passing bay, with hazard lights on
• Priority and right of way is in the following order:
• Emergency vehicles
• PBL Towheads
• PBL Security Officers
• PBL Staff vehicles
• Others

Workshop Area / Equipment

• Free access to the workshop areas is restricted to pre-authorized personnel only. Any employees from other departments shall be considered as Visitors
• Visitors will remain within the designated walkways unless required to operate equipment for testing or repair
• Vehicles and machinery are to be parked in such a way that they do not obstruct traffic, PBL operations or walkways
• All lifting equipment (Stackers, Forklifts, etc.) must have their masts and beams lowered to their lowest point after parking
• All equipment safety brakes must be engaged during parked operations and no vehicle shall remain with their engine idling for longer than 2 minutes
• The interior of all equipment must be maintained clean, and any trash must be disposed of by the designated Operator during or at the end of a shift
• Hazard lights are to be on whilst any external vehicle is in motion, and neither handheld devices nor headphones may be used
• The use of handheld devices and smoking are prohibited in the fueling area. 
• Protective foot ware, high-visibility clothing and hard hats must be always worn when personnel are outside of their vehicles
• House-keeping - maintaining of clean, organized and oil free work areas, bays, and rest areas is an absolute requirement and is a responsibility of all employees in the department and work area
• The wearing of jewelry and any loose items of clothing are prohibited and must be removed before initiating any works
• Pre-safety checks and verification of secure equipment are to be performed before task is conducted. Working under an equipment with an unverified support system or if at a height is prohibited
• When working at height, an anti-fall harness is to be worn and attached to a suitable safe object
• Before commencing any welding, cutting, or grinding works, make sure a fire extinguisher is readily accessible
• Always dispose of liquid and chemical waste such as gas, diesel, and oils in authorized manner and as per directions of Senior Mechanic
• The use of or the removal of any equipment under the workshop area shall only be conducted by the operator and only after the confirmation by the Senior Mechanic, Supervisor, or Manager

Warehouse

• Sturdy, closed toe footwear is to be always worn
• Pedestrians are only permitted to walk in dedicated walkways both in the pathway to and in the Warehouse
• Whilst waiting turns, all visitors are to remain within the waiting shelters
• Access to the Warehouse is not permitted until your turn has been called, you are to leave the Warehouse as soon as cargo delivery is completed
• Consignees, agents and brokers are not permitted beyond the location of the cargo which they are collecting and must stay clear of all equipment which is in motion
• Vehicles operating in the Warehouse are to be operated with due care and caution and may not exceed a speed of 10 miles (16 kilometers) per hour

General Facility Rules

• A port pass is to be shown to Security Officers at access points. If you do not have a port pass, you must show a valid identity card (which includes a portrait photo), such as an SSB card. Access without these will not be granted
• Children under the age of 16 are not permitted within the facility
• Firearms or weapons are not permitted within the facility
• The possession of drugs (of any kind) is not permitted
• Intrusive bag checks will be performed
• Anyone suspected to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted access
• All instructions from PBL staff are to be always abided by
• If you sight an accident, incident, near-miss or safety concern, please bring this to the attention of the nearest Safety or Security officer or PBL staff member
• All incident, accident and near-miss reports are to be recorded in first draft format within 2 hours of the occurrence and are to be sent to all relevant line managers with Cc to the CEO via email
• Any third party or visitor written reports or suggestions pertaining to safety are most welcome and can be lodged with the PBL receptionist in the Main Administration Building
• PBL staff may not bring their private vehicles beyond Access gate III or onto the secured facility
• All bicycles are to be orderly parked in designed bicycle parking bays or areas
• Fooling around, horse play or unruly behavior will not be tolerated at any time

Those found not to be complying with the above protocols will be cautioned by PBL Security or Safety Officers, who will report such infringements to the PBL Chief Security Officer, the Safety Officer and CEO. Those who refuse to follow the instructions of PBL staff will be expelled and may be banned from the facility, as may repeat offenders. These guidelines are for the overall well-being of every authorized visitor to the Port and the Port’s Staff, and we thank you in advance for your proactive cooperation.

Safety is a shared responsibility, let’s be SAFE together!