A NOSCAR for NCT

The Ngqura Container Terminal (NCT) was accredited with NOSCAR status recently by NOSA. The impressive score of 95 percent was achieved after the NOSA audit, which is recognised as an international benchmark in the management of occupational health, safety and environmental risks.

The NOSCAR award is the highest rating in the NOSA system and recognises organisations that continuously commit to providing safe and healthy work environments for employees as well as the safety of cargo handled.

“NOSA’s 2015 audit results show our outstanding performance in the realm of safety and reaffirm our commitment to teamwork and motivation,” says Noxolo Thabatha, acting terminal manager, Ngqura Container Terminal.

Last October TPT’s car terminals in Port Elizabeth and East London were recipients of NOSCAR awards for the fifth and tenth years respectively.

Among the many items against which NCT was measured were the condition of the premises and housekeeping; mechanical, electrical and personal safeguarding; management of fire and other emergency risks; SHE incident recording and investigations, known as the disabling incident frequency rate (DIFR), and organisational management.

NCT achieved zero major incidents for two consecutive months in January and February. In the 2015/16 year to date an incident rate of 17 was achieved, which is a substantial improvement on the 37 incidents of the 2014/15 financial year.

“The safety focus for the 2016/17 year will be on changing employee mindsets to be safety-oriented and to improving the terminal’s DIFR. Employees must be vigilant safety agents and habitually undertake the role of being their brother’s keeper when it comes to looking out for their fellow colleagues,” Thabatha says.