JNPT Gets ISO Certification for Environmental Responsibility, Occupational Health & Safety

INDIACSR News Network

MUMBAI: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) awarded ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certification respectively by the Indian Register for Quality Systems (IRQS), confirming its adherence to globally recognised management systems in environmental responsibility and occupational health and safety.

JNPT has already addressed the information security aspect by developing its own Information Security Management System certified complying with norms of the ISO a year ago and is conforming to the Quality Management Systems since 2001.

“With the addition of these certifications, JNPT has achieved the distinction of becoming the first major port to achieve the three certifications from the international organisation for standardisation (ISO) and an occupational health and safety management system certification in keeping with its status of a world-class port,” Union Minister for Shipping G. K. Vasan said.

Addressing the gathering at the award function, he said, “JNPT has obtained ISO 14001 certification by identifying the importance of sustainable development and has demonstrated its commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The port has already replaced its streetlights and other electrical appliances with energy-efficient devices such as CFL lamps.”

“The major ports play a key role in facilitating external trade which contributes to 40% of India’s GDP. Container volumes in India are expected to witness very high growth in the years to come. We also expect that in future, high demand for energy will result in increased import of coal and oil. For our ports to gear up for the growing demand, we must bear in mind that the growth is not just quantitative, but qualitative in terms of services which depends on human capital development, information, management and environment protection.” he added.

“As we achieve higher economic growth and use modern technology, we often tend to ignore the human factor which is responsible for managing the new technology and fuelling the growth.JNPT has addressed this core issue by adopting the Occupational Health and Safety Management System which identifies the hazards and risks arising out of routine and non-routine tasks to human life and takes effective measures to at least reduce them substantially.”, Union Minister for Shipping G. K. Vasan said

Maintaining high standards of occupational health and safety is important not only for employees, but also for customers and other stakeholders. The OHSAS 18001 certification demonstrates the commitment of JNPT to occupational health and safety, and continuous improvement of their related management systems.

JN Port’s conformance to OHSAS 18001 safeguards that its employees, clients and all parties in question are exposed to as few risks as possible, while third-party certification authenticates that an organization has taken steps to avoid accidents and hazardous situations using a comprehensive and effectively implemented system. This would assure the compliance with present legal requisites and reduces the risk of various penalties & possible litigation.

“Independent India has travelled on the path of progress and industrialization at a fast pace. Though the process of development has given us a better quality of life, we realize that development without care for our natural eco-systems will pose threats to the very existence of life itself. The air we breathe, the water we drink and the food we eat must be protected from pollution. Development and environment should go hand in hand. Sustainable development is the new paradigm.”  Union Minister for Shipping  said.

India is a party to the International Convention on Safety of Life (SOLAS) and International Convention on Marine Pollution (MARPOL) which are the main safety and pollution related conventions of the IMO. In the last two years the Cabinet has approved accession to three conventions, namely, Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, Protocol of 1996 to the Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims and MARPOL Convention Regulations for the Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships.

“We are in the process of acceding to other important conventions like the Bunker Convention and Oil Pollution Response Convention (OPRC) and Oil Pollution Response Convention-Hazardous and Noxious Substances (OPRC-HNS) and I am confident that the process will be completed soon.” minister said.