CLD Safety Committee Chair testifies before OSHA rulemaking hearing
Wetzel calls for comprehensive emergency response planning, better response times, and warns of dangers of lithium-ion batteries
Coast Longshore Division Safety Committee Chair Adam Wetzel testified at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) informal rulemaking hearing on November 14. The purpose of the hearing was to update the agency’s emergency response and preparedness standards.
During his testimony, Wetzel advocated for improved safety measures and comprehensive emergency response planning at U.S. ports. He
also highlighted the fire dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries.
“The ILWU has a long history of advocating for safety on the docks
and understands that our members work in dangerous environments.
Due to the dynamic nature of our work, ILWU members are constantly
adapting to work with new technologies, different cargo, and updated
equipment,” Wetzel said.
“The ILWU recognizes that we need better safety measures at the
ports. Emergency preparedness and response times are paramount.
Emergency preparedness can prevent and reduce the number of
casualties by ensuring first responders have the proper equipment and
training and an understanding of the various hazards and conditions at the ports. Emergency response times are incredibly important – in many cases, this is the difference between life or death for ILWU members.”
Wetzel noted the first 5 minutes of response time is critical, and every minute of delay can have an effect on mortality. He said that, with the exception of the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, average response times at the ports are greater than 5 minutes:
- The Port of Oakland has response times of nearly 20-30 minutes,
and sometimes, there is no response at all.The Port of Tacoma has an average response time of 7-13
minutes.The Port of Seattle has an average
response time of 10 minutes. - The Port of Portland has an average response time of 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
At the ports of Long Beach/Los Angeles, California, response time is less than 5 minutes.
Wetzel also drew attention to the increased risk of fire posed by lithium-ion batteries and on-dock battery charging stations.
“The volatility and instability of lithium-ion batteries is a huge concern for the ILWU. On average, there is one container ship fire a week around the world caused by lithium-ion batteries. At the ports, we are seeing a large number of batteries shipped with no identification,” Wetzel said.
He cited a May 12, 2024 incident in the port of Oakland where a container with lithium-ion battery products caught fire causing a massive toxic plume of smoke throughout the Bay Area. Although the fire was extinguished quickly, it reignited. He also cited the September 26, 2024, incident in Long Beach, when a truck carrying a container of lithium-ion batteries overturned on the freeway connecting San Pedro and Long Beach, resulting in an explosion.
“The container continued burning on the freeway and the toxic
smoke closed the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach for two longshore
shifts until the fire burned out and the container was safe to move. This caused massive disruptions for the port and local traffic. In addition to mitigating the toxic smoke, the fire department determined that putting water on the fire would have created massive amounts of toxic hazardous water that would drain into the harbor and kill fish and other sea life,” Wetzel said. “This fire posed a significant risk to our members, emergency responders, and the greater community of Long Beach due to the toxic smoke and the inability to move the burning container safely and efficiently.”
He concluded: “Emergencies at the ports are unique and varied
and the shift to green technologies and renewable energy sources necessitates a change in how we do business at the ports. We cannot introduce new technologies without considering the long-term safety implications. We cannot stand by and wait for the next catastrophic event to happen at the ports.
“We must address these concerns by arming our first responders with the necessary resources – training, knowledge, and on-the-ground
experience – and establish clear, effective protocols to mitigate hazards
and protect both workers and the surrounding communities. With a designated emergency response team and better visibility and protections, we can work together and find a solution to provide a safer environment for all. We must
prioritize safety for our members and the greater community.”