VIRSEC Helping Ports Build a Safer, More Resilient Workforce as Electric Vehicles Become Standard in Port Operations

Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a trend or a technology of the future. They are becoming an increasingly important part of port operations, with growing volumes of electric vehicles moving through ports and electrification becoming an increasingly important part of the maritime industry’s transition towards cleaner operations.

As the number of EVs and electric equipment in ports continues to grow, so too does the need for port staff to understand the associated safety considerations.

VIRSEC Ltd, in collaboration with Port Skills & Safety (PSS), has developed a new Online Electric Vehicle (EV) Safety Induction for Port Staff Course to help organisations prepare their workforce for this rapidly changing environment.

Turning Complex EV Technology into Practical Safety Knowledge

Electric vehicles introduce new technologies and hazards into the port environment, particularly around high-voltage systems and batteries. While specialist personnel may require detailed technical training, everyone working around EVs needs a basic understanding of the potential risks and their role in maintaining a safe working environment.

VIRSEC’s new online course is designed specifically for frontline port staff, using clear, accessible language to turn complex EV technology into practical safety knowledge.

The course helps staff understand how to work safely around electric vehicles and equipment, recognise potential battery-related hazards, and understand what to do if an incident occurs.

Importantly, the course is not designed to make port staff EV technicians. Instead, it gives everyone the awareness and knowledge they need to play their part in creating a safer port environment.

Supporting Ports as EV Volumes Increase

By enrolling port staff on our EV safety induction training, organisations can help:

• Build a safety culture around EVs: Develop greater awareness and understanding of EV-related hazards across the workforce, helping to establish a strong safety culture as electric vehicles become a more familiar part of everyday port operations.
• Prepare teams for future growth: Equip teams with the knowledge they need to work safely as EV cargo volumes increase, and electrification becomes an increasingly standard feature of the maritime and port industry.
• Demonstrate health and safety diligence: Support organisations in meeting their health and safety responsibilities by ensuring staff receive appropriate awareness training as EVs become standard port equipment and cargo. Building workforce competence and awareness can also help organisations demonstrate a proactive approach to managing emerging risks.
• Protect assets, infrastructure and reputation: Improve early recognition of potential EV and battery hazards, helping ports take appropriate action and reduce the potential for incidents that could result in fire, damage to infrastructure and assets, operational disruption or reputational harm.

Developed for the Realities of Port Operations

The Online Electric Vehicle (EV) Safety Induction for Port Staff Course has been developed by VIRSEC Ltd in collaboration with Port Skills & Safety, bringing together expertise in safety training and the specific requirements of the UK port industry.

The online format provides a flexible and accessible way for organisations to deliver consistent EV safety awareness training across their workforce, helping ensure that staff have a common understanding of the risks and their responsibilities.

As electrification continues to transform the way ports operate, workforce safety must evolve alongside the technology.

Preparing Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow’s Port

The transition to electric vehicles presents significant opportunities for the maritime industry, but it also introduces new risks that need to be understood and managed.

VIRSEC’s Online EV Safety Induction for Port Staff is designed to help ports take a proactive approach; building knowledge, strengthening safety culture and preparing their people for an increasingly electric future.

As EVs become standard port equipment and cargo, understanding their risks shouldn’t be an optional extra. It should be part of the safety culture.

For more information about the Online Electric vehicle (EV) Safety Induction for Port Staff Course, or to discuss how VIRSEC Ltd can support your organisation, please Click Here.

An Article by Stephen L. Richards CMAS CAS
Operations Director | VIRSEC Ltd

Reference from Debbie Cavaldoro, Port Skills & Safety Chief Executive

“… PSS is pleased to welcome this new course from VIRSEC, which supports the practical approach set out in our Safety in Ports guidance on lithium-ion batteries. As EVs and other lithium-ion powered equipment become increasingly commonplace across the port industry, it is important that everyone working around them understands the potential hazards and their role in managing them. Building this awareness across the workforce is an important part of developing a strong safety culture and keeping pace with the changing risks in our industry …”