SAGT delivers another first for the Port of Colombo

South Asia Gateway Terminal Ltd. (SAGT), Sri Lanka’s first Public-Private Partnership (PPP) container terminal, commissioned two container top safety work cages to enhance the safety of its container lashing crew for operations on board. The safety cages were operationalised on Monday, 15 March.

The deployment of the safety cages is yet another “first” for the Port of Colombo. Further demonstrating SAGT’s commitment to global maritime industry best practice. Consequently, enhancing the Port of Colombo’s position for continuous advancement.

The safety cages allow lashing contractors to carry out on-board container lashing operations with significantly improved safe working conditions. A feature of the safety cage is the ability to sustain container lashing operations in adverse weather conditions such as rain and wind.

The Top Safety Work Cages (CTS-WC), constructed by Dubai based World Crane Services, can accommodate up to eight workmen providing world class primary and mandatory secondary safety features for additional personnel safety. The equipment meets EU safety legislation for personnel carrying machinery. The modular concept design of the cages extends versatility of carrying out operations for both 20-foot and 40-foot container bays on-board a vessel interchangeably without compromising the protection of the Lashers. The cages also include robust spring-loaded self-closing/locking gates and storage bins/ lockers for safe storage of tools and lashing equipment allowing for increased benefit from the use of the cages.

Galvanised personal safety lines throughout the cages along with a retractable reel, allows for Lashers to fasten their safety harnesses to the safety lines limiting the risk of hazards such as falls and slipping whilst engaging in operations. Hand-railings are installed on all sides inside the cage as per EU statutory regulations.  The cages also comprise two floor cut outs with fold-out access hatches which are supplied on the ends of each cage for easy access to container tops from inside the cages. Anti-slip floor plates, steel mesh boundaries and kick plates provide a safe environment for lashers and protect against falling objects. A double top coating with a minimum thickness of 325mm is done with safety patterns and contrast colours for better visibility of corner pockets.