Port Worker Killed in South Carolina
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William E. Holst, a container checker at the Wando Welch Terminal, a South Carolina State Ports Authority facility, died on Monday when a crane operator lowered a 20-container on him
The same day, William Rouse, a longshoreman at North Carolina's shipping terminal, suffered bruises after he was pinned between two containers on a ship.
The incidents stopped work, according to leaders of two of the International Longshoremen's Union locals. While the union contract requires that a safety flagger observe container moves on and off docked vessels, there are no such guidelines for moves inside the terminal yard. Although it's hard to say if a flagger might have saved Holst's life, the incident has re-ignited discussions of requiring flaggers inside the yard.
The new requirement would have to be included in the master contract, which is due to expire on September 30th between the union and the shipping lines.
