DOZENS of dockworkers are getting specialist first aid training thanks to a deal between a shipping company and St John Cymru-Wales.

The charity’s training arm has devised a bespoke first aid course specifically for dockers at Newport-based WE Dowds (Shipping) Ltd.

Dowds operates from Alexandra Dock, Newport, managing the import of steel products from massive bulk ships through its warehouses on the quayside, from where gantry cranes load the products onto trains and trucks for delivery to customers across the UK.

All of Dowds’ staff are given rigorous health and safety training to ensure the offloading of the steel products – some of which can weigh more than 30 tonnes – is safely managed, to ensure there are no injuries.

Lela Pirouet, of Dowds, said:“The quayside is a dangerous place, with massive forklift trucks, lorries, cranes, and various other machinery, operating. All the staff who work in this environment have to undergo very detailed training to ensure they know the vital rules and regulations in operation.

“The specially-designed Dockers First Aid training from St John complements the other guidance that our staff here get, making sure that they know what to do in the unlikely event that there is an injury.”

Jon Phillips, director of training at St John Cymru-Wales, said: “When we were asked to design a first aid course specifically for dock workers, we had to liaise closely with Dowds to ensure their particular needs were met.

“We have plenty of experience in working with companies across all sectors to make sure the training we give is exactly what they need – whatever the business, we have the skills available to identify particular requirements and fulfil them. The work with Dowds has been a great success, and we hope to build on this relationship.”