PNG PORTS CORPORATION LIMITED::Papua New Guinea

Home | Services | PNGHMS

Port Information

Historical Status Report For 2007 - 2009

PNGHMS

Pilotage

Shipping Schedules

Projects

OHSE

Contact Details:

Paul Unas
Chief Maritime Compliance Officer
PNG Ports Corporation Limited
Head Office: Stanley Esplanade,
Port Moresby
PO Box 671,
Port Moresby.
NCD.
Papua New Guinea
Phone: +675 308 4200 or 321 1400
Fax: +675 321 1546
Email: maritimecompliance@pngports.com.pg

Breathalyzer Testing Program

PNGPCL is committed to have a safe and secure working environment free of alcohol and drug abuse by its employees or by ports users. It has, therefore, commenced a rollout of the Breathalyzer Testing program in all the ports including the Jomard Project site off Misima Island in Milne Bay Province. The purpose of this Report is to show the implementation process carried out of the Breathalyser Testing program.

The Breathalyser Testing program was introduced in June 2009 as a way to monitor and control the consumption of alcohol and drugs in the ports and other facilities for the safety and well being of all employees and port users. In doing so, the company expects increased productivity from its employees to meet its overall aims and objectives.

Summary of Report
The table below summarises the test results for the first quarter of 2011.

PORT	BAC TEST RESULTS		POSITIVE RESULTS			TOTAL RESULTS
	JANAURY – MARCH 2011		STEVEDORES/ PORT USERS	VESSEL CREW	PNGPCL	TOTAL POSITIVE	TOTAL TESTED
	*Tested* *(Negative)*	*Tested (Positive)*
PORT MORESBY	47	9	4	5	-	9	56
HEAD OFFICE	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
LAE	Recalibration of Alcholizers
KAVIENG
JOMARD
RABAUL
ALOTAU	10	3	-	-	3	3	13
KIMBE	86	3	3	-	-	3	89
BUKA	Nil Reports received
MADANG	13	Nil	-	-	-	-	13
WEWAK	95	4	3	1	-	4	99
TOTAL						19	270

Benefits from the Breathalyzer Testing Program

The introduction of the Breathalyzer Testing program has brought in certain benefits not only for PNGPCL and but also for its employees and everyone involved and conducting business in its ports facilities. The benefits included some of the following:

Improvements in attendance.
Work attendance has been a problem in the past due to staff turning up late or do not turn up for work due to hangovers from alcohol consumption. Business Managers reported that they have now seen improvements in work attendance.
Safety Incidents
There were no accidents reported involving drunkard drivers in the ports. All drivers are now well aware of their responsibilities.

Corporate Support.

Corporate support. Port users such as stevedores, NAQIA, Customs that operate in the ports and do business with PNGPCL are very supportive of the introduction of the breathalyzer policy because of safety concerns and problems associated with alcohol and drugs

Cost Saving.
Direct or indirect costs to PNGPCL from accidents involving those intoxicated are usually high. This will be minimized as a result of the breathalyzer program as a control measure.
Family Support.
In the past, staff spent money on alcohol leaving very little for food, clothing and other needs. Officers have changed their attitude knowing that they will be tested at work. Additionally, family members especially spouses do not bother staff anymore at the workplace.

General View
The general view is that the Breathalyzer Testing program is working well and has many benefits for PNGPCL, port users and other business houses that operate or do business in the ports, the individual employees and the surrounding communities in general. The program is well received by port users, companies and individual employees of PNGPCL as they see change in behaviour of their workers, this improved in productivity.