1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY

Safety and welfare measures are inevitable to any organization where

workers are involved. An organizations responsibility to its employees extends
beyond the payment of wages for their services. The employees safety and
welfare on and off the job within the organization is a vital concern of the
employer. Providing a safe and healthy environment is a pre-requisite for any
productive effort. This research deals with the study on the safety and welfare
measures provided to the employees at Cochin Port Trust.

1.1.1 Problem Identification

Unlike other industries, the employees of the Port are often exposed to
different and new cargo which they may not have been familiar with earlier. The
employees have to deal with huge machinery and handle heavy cargo and
containers. The unfamiliarity in the nature of cargo they handle and the danger
involved in handling them makes the employees prone to higher degree of risk.

2
Satisfying or fulfilling the safety and security needs of the workers,
would give them a better motivation and more time to concentrate on job
performance. A voluntary approach on the part of the management to offer
welfare programmes which are over and above what is laid down by the law,
would boost the morale of the employees and motivate them to perform better. A
preliminary study conducted by the researcher with respect to safety and welfare
showed that there was scope for improvement in certain areas. This formed the
basis of the research problem.

1.1.2 Objectives of the study

Primary Objective : To study the level of satisfaction of employees regarding

safety and welfare measures at Cochin Port Trust.
Secondary Objectives : To study the perception of the employees regarding the
safety and welfare measures provided to them.
To analyze if the level of satisfaction is different among the various
categories of employees and departments.
To suggest provision of more safety and welfare measures to improve
the performance of the employees.

1.1.3 Scope of the study

This study would give an overview of the safety and welfare measures
existing at Cochin Port Trust. Since safety and welfare are two important
elements essential for improving the productivity of an organization, a study on
the existing safety and welfare measures would help the organization perform

3
better. This study would throw light on the perception of the employees regarding
safety and welfare. Cochin Port Trust can identify the areas where it can improve
so as to improve the performance of the employees. This study would also help
to analyze if there is a dependence between departments and categories and
the level of satisfaction of safety and welfare measures and suggest provisions of
more safety and welfare measures.

1.1.4 Limitations of the study

The study was restricted to the class III and class IV non ministerial
staff of Cochin Port Trust.
Due to time constraints the sample size had to be confined to 150.
The respondents have replied to the queries recalling from their
memory. Therefore recall bias and personal bias are possible.
Since the data was collected using a schedule, the interviewers
inability to understand and record the responses correctly is possible.
The respondents were unable or unwilling to give a complete and
accurate response to certain questions.

1.2

COMPANY PROFILE

1.2.1 The profile of the company

Cochin has been an important gateway to India for centuries in the

past for merchants and seafarers of the West and the Middle East. It enjoys a
unique locational advantage lying on the direct sea route to Australia and the Far
East from Europe. The cruising distance to Cochin from this main route is a mere
10 nautical miles, making Cochin nearer to the maritime highway than Colombo.
The Port is the natural gateway to the vast potential industrial complex and
growing produce markets of South West India. The Port of Cochin is located on
the Willingdon Island at latitude 9 degree 58 north and longitude 76 degree 14
east on the South West coast of India about 930 km south of Bombay and 320
km north of Kanyakumari.

The architect of the modern port of Cochin was Sir Robert Bristow, the
harbour engineer of Madras Government. It was due to his tireless efforts and
unparalleled devotion that made the Cochin Port a reality. It became a Major Port
in 1936. Cochin Port also boasts to be the first Indian port to receive container
vessels in 1973. The Port provides round-the-clock pilotage to ships. There is an
efficient network of railways, roads, waterways and airways connecting the Port
with the different hinterland centers spread over the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka.

1.2.2 Organization structure

Cochin Port Trust is an autonomous body under Government of India

and is managed by a Board of Trustees constituted by the Government of India.

5
This board is headed by the Chairman. The Government of India may from time
to time nominate the trustees in the board representing various interests.

The Port Trust Board consists of

The Chairman, the Dy. Chairman and members representing
a) The India Navy
b) Ministry of Surface Transport
c) Government of Kerala
d) Customs Department
e) Indian Railways
f) Sea Food Industries
g) Cochin Refineries
h) Ship Owners Association
i) Chambers of Commerce and Industries
j) Labour Representatives

The various departments at CoPT are Administrative dept, Central

Accounts dept, Traffic dept, Mechanical Engineering dept, Civil Engineering dept,
Marine dept and Medical dept.

1.2.3 Vallarpadam Container Transshipment Terminal

For the development of an International Container Transshipment

Terminal, Cochin port has the geographical locational advantage of being very
close to the trunk trade route between Europe / Arabian Gulf & Far east / USA.
There is also a large area of vacant land in Vallarpadam Island, adjacent to

6
deeper channels for the development of the terminal. Dubai Ports International,
one of the worlds leading port operators have signed an agreement with the
CoPT to construct, develop and operate an ICTT at Vallarpadam. DPI has been
granted a 38 year concession for the exclusive operation and management of the
site and will share 33.33% of the revenue with CoPT. The container hub project
at Vallarpadam is expected to be completed in four years ad commercial
operations in another one year. Construction of a new four-lane bridge and
highway access to the Golden Quadrilateral road network is already under way.
IGTL has taken over container operations at the RGCT from April.

Vallarpadam is the largest single-operator container terminal currently

planned in India and the first in the country to operate in a SEZ. The new terminal
is expected to reduce Indias dependence on foreign ports to handle
transshipment of cargo. Strategically located on the main east-west global
shipping lanes, Cochin is destined to develop as the premier gateway to
Southern India while offering an alternative to Sri Lanka and Singapore for
container transshipment.

1.2.4 Safety and welfare measures at Cochin Port Trust

Safety and Welfare measures at Cochin Port Trust is as per the

Factories Act, 1948 in the workshop and the Dock Workers (Safety, Health &
Welfare) Regulations, 1990 in the wharf.

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Safety measures provided to the employees at Cochin Port Trust

Cochin Port Trust keeps up a safety day or safety week every year as
per the instructions from the National Safety Council. This is in view to give
awareness to workmen about the necessity of safety in the workplace and the
duty of the workers to follow safety. Notices are displayed about the programmes
that are to be held. The safety flag is hoisted and a safety pledge is taken.

At Cochin Port Trust a safety committee has been formed comprising

of equal representations from the workers and the management. The safety
committee meets once in six months and makes a study on the safety
precautions and measures, hears any defects reported by the workers and
immediate actions are taken to rectify them. Various safety measures are
provided for the employees of Cochin Port Trust. Uniforms are provided for all the
employees. Safety helmets according to ISI standards are provided. Non-skid
safety shoes with metal covering in the front to protect the foot are provided.
Aprons, goggles, gloves, gum boots, safety belts and ear pads are provided to
the employees. Monthly safety training programmes are conducted wherein
two employees from each of the two wharfs are chosen to attend the training at
the Cochin Port Training Institute.

Some of the safety training programmes attended by the employees are:

STCW 95

: Standard Training Certificate of Watch Keeping

EFA

: Elementary First Aid

PSSR

: Personal Safety Social Response

FPFF

: Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting

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To monitor the safety provisions of the Port, there are two safety
Inspectors appointed by the Government The Inspector of Factories and
Boilers for the workshop and the Dock Safety Inspector for the wharfs. The
Safety Inspectors conduct inspections once in three months and record their
observations.

Safety, Health and Environment Policy

Cochin Port Trust is committed to ensuring safety and health of its

employees who shall adhere to the safe working practices and safety policy and
to adherences to statutory safety regulations applicable to port besides protection
of environment in all port operations.

Welfare measures provided to the employees at Cochin Port Trust

Cochin Port Trust provides various amenities to the employees in

addition to the primary facilities like drinking water, latrines and washing facilities.

Medical facilities : A general hospital with 150 beds has been provided with
analytical laboratory, X-ray facilities, ultraviolet rays, E.C.G facilities, infra red
rays, air-conditioned operation theatre, labour room etc,. Various specialists also
visit the Port Hospital weekly for special treatment. A well equipped dispensary
functions in the workshop. The Port Hospital renders its services to all employees
their dependents, retired employees and their spouses.

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Canteens : There are 12 canteens functioning in Cochin Port Trust and all of
them are run by welfare clubs :

Workshop Canteen, Container Terminal Canteen, Ernakulam Wharf

Canteen, Hospital Canteen, Sanitary Canteen, Civil Section Canteen, E.D.C
Canteen, Marine Canteen, C.A.D Canteen, Port works Canteen, Mattanchery
Wharf Canteen, Officers Canteen.

They have been given utensils, rent free accommodation, furniture,

water and electricity. Out of these 12 canteens, a sum of Rs. 1.1 lakh per month
is given to the Welfare Club for running the Workshop Canteen as subsidy, which
is a canteen under the Factories Act.

Rest rooms, Shelters and Lunch rooms are provided in all work sites/sections.

Recreational and cultural facilities

Reading rooms, libraries, clubs and sports and games have been provided for
the employees of CoPT.

Family Planning Programmes : Family Planning Operations and follow up

attention is undertaken at the Port hospital freely. In addition to the above,
special casual leave, sach awards etc., are given to Port employees/ their
spouses who undergo family planning operations according to the Government of
India rules from time to time.

10
Educational facilities : Children Educational Allowance and reimbursement of
tuition fees are granted upto Higher Secondary classes according to Government
rules. Various schools that are functioning in the Port Trust are Sisu Vihar
(Nursery school), Sir Robert Bristow Primary and Secondary School and
Kendriya Vidyalaya. Scholarships are awarded to the deserving children of Port
employees.

Transport Facilities : Except in the case of crew of floating crafts, no free

transport is provided. But the Port provides loans for employees for purchasing
two wheelers or four wheelers.

Co-operative Establishments : Cochin Port Employees Co-operative Society

runs a bank providing loan facilities and financial assistance to the Port
employees. The Society runs a Death-Cum-Retirement benefit scheme by which
the employees are benefited.

Housing Facilities : A total of 944 residential quarters are being provided by the
Port Trust for their employees.

Shopping Facilities : Shop rooms have been given on nominal rents to the Civil
Supplies Corporation and Ernakulam Department Store for running grocery shop.
A branch of Kendriya Bhandar, three kiosks and a shopping center are also
functioning in the Willington Island.

11
First Aid Facilities : First aides have been posted at the following places with
necessary first aid boxes at Dry Dock, South Coal Berth, North Coal Berth,
Mattanchery Wharf and Ernakulam Wharf. Ambulance vans are also provided at
the Port Hospital.

Ex-gratia payments : Ex-gratia payments are usually made when a worker or

his family member is directed by the Port Hospital for specialist treatment to other
hospitals, when the treatment involves a sizeable expenditure which is not reimbursable, when the workman is on EOL for a long time on account of illness,
for funeral expenses of employees in respect of whom requests are received, to
give relief to those who suffer from natural calamities like storm , fire etc.

Compassionate appointments : In the event of employees dying in harness or

medically invalidated, their next of kins are registered fro employment assistance
and provided employment depending upon their qualification and availability of
vacancies.

1.3

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

In 1998 a study was conducted on the welfare measures provided to

the employees of CoPT by Ms. N Sangeetha of Bharathiyar University. This study
was based on the Class I and Class II employees contrary to my project work
which focuses only on the Class III, Class IV non-ministerial staff. This was
helpful to me with regard to the selection of samples and using statistical tools. I
have done my research work independently and both the studies are
independent.

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Definitions of safety

The condition of being safe; freedom from danger, risk, or injury.

the state of being certain that adverse effects will not be caused by
some agent under defined conditions

Occupational safety is concerned with risks in areas where people

work: offices, manufacturing plants, farms, construction sites, and
commercial and retail facilities. Public safety is concerned with
hazards in the home, in travel and recreation, and in other
situations that do not fall within the scope of occupational safety.

Definitions of welfare

Anything done for the intellectual, physical, moral and economic

betterment of the workers, whether by employers, by government
or by other agencies, over and above what is laid down by law or
what is normally expected of the contractual benefits for which
workers may have bargained.

Well-doing or well-being in any respect; the enjoyment of health

and the common blessings of life; exemption from any evil or
calamity; prosperity; happiness.

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CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

2.1

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research methodology is a way of systematically solving the research

problem. Research methodology deals with the research design used and
methods used to present the study.

2.1.1

Research Design

A research design is a detailed blue print used to guide a research

study toward its objective. The process of designing a research study involves
many interrelated decisions. The most significant decision is the choice of
research approach, because it determines how the information will be obtained.
The choice of the research approach depends on the nature of the research that
one wants to do.

The research design adopted for this study is Descriptive Research.

Descriptive method was adopted because it deals with description of the state of
affairs as it exist at present

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2.1.2 Sampling Techniques
The next step in research study after collecting data is the sampling
process. When a decision is made to use the sample, a number of factors must
be taken into consideration. The various steps involved in the sampling process
are:
Identifying target population.
Determining sample frame.
Selecting sampling procedure.
Determine sample size.
Execute sampling
Obtaining information from respondents.
Generating information for decision making.
The target population in this study was the class III and class IV non
ministerial staff of CoPT.
The sampling technique had to be selected. There are two types of
sampling techniques:
Probability sampling
Non-probability sampling

Among the probability sampling, the sampling used in this study was
Stratified sampling.
Stratified Sampling
If the population from which a sample is to be drawn does not
constitute a homogenous group, then stratified sampling technique is applied so
as to obtain a representative sample. In this technique, the population is stratified

15
into number of non-overlapping sub populations or strata and sample items are
selected from each stratum. If the items selected from each stratum is based on
simple random sampling, the entire procedure, first stratification and then simple
random sampling is known as stratified sampling. The stratified sampling results
in a more reliable and detailed information. The researcher uses simple random
sampling for selection of items from each stratum.
2.1.3 Sample size

Among the 1397 class III and class IV non ministerial staff in the
organization a sample of 150 employees were taken for the study.
The whole of the population was divided into 6 strata:
Container Terminal
Wharf
Dredging and Mooring
Electrical
Dry Dock
Workshop
Using the method of proportional allocation, the number of samples are
selected from each stratum.
Strata

No. of samples

Container Terminal

26

Wharf

40

Dredging and Mooring

20

Electrical

28

Dry Dock

27

Workshop

09

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Total

150

2.1.4 Tools for Data collection

There are several ways of collecting the appropriate data. While

deciding about the method of data collection to be used for the study, the
researcher should keep in mind, that there are 2 types of data
1. Primary data
2. Secondary Data

Primary data are those which are collected a fresh and for the first time
and thus happen to be original in character. Primary data can be collected either
through experiment or through survey.
The secondary data on the other hand are those which have already
bean collected by some one else and which have already bean passed through
the statistical process. In this study, the data was collected from the primary
source through interview schedule.

2.1.5 Statistical Techniques

This phase consists of the data analysis of the data collected based on
the stratified simple random probabilistic sampling technique. The data collected
were analyzed using the following methods.

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Percentage Analysis

The number of responses of each category is summarized to

percentage format for the convenience to use other statistical tools namely pie
chart and bar diagrams.

Statistical tools
Chi-Square Test

This test allows us to determine whether two attributes are

independent of each other. In this study chi-square has been used to test if there
is an association between various variables and the overall level of satisfaction of
safety and welfare measures.
2 = {(Oi Ei)2 / Ei }
Applying Yates correction :
2 = {(|Oi Ei|-0.5)2 / Ei }

Phi Coefficient

Chi-square tells us about the significance of relation between

variables; it provides no answer regarding the magnitude of the relation between
the two variables. This can be achieved by computing the Phi coefficient which is
a non- parametric measure of coefficient of correlation. It gives the magnitude of
the relation or the degree of association between the two variables.

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= [2 /n]

2.2

DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

2.2.1 Percentage analysis

Table 2.1
Are adequate safety training programmes conducted

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Yes

113

75

No

37

25

Total

150

100

Interpretation
The above table shows that 75% of the respondents opined that
adequate safety training programmes are conducted at Cochin Port Trust and
25% of them opined it is not.

Figure 2.1

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Table 2.2
Attended Safety training programmes

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Yes

93

62

No

57

38

Total

150

100

Interpretation
The above table shows that 62% of the respondents have attended safety
training programmes and 38% of them have not.

Figure 2.2

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Table 2.3
Does the Management provide safety awareness

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Yes

137

91

No

13

Total

150

100

Interpretation
The above table shows that 91% of the respondents opined that the
management provides safety awareness and 9% opined that it does not.

Figure 2.3

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Table 2.4
Safety measures provided
Safety measures
Safety helmets
Safety outfits
Safety goggles
Gloves
Safety shoes
Safety boots
Safety mask
Safety belt
Life saving appliances
Cranes
Forklift trucks
Hatches and spreaders
Hazardous cargo
Interpretation

Adequate
111
23
64
108
145
16
75
32
22
38
27
13
14

Inadequate
19
4
54
34
5
13
32
32
5
51
20
12
37

No Opinion
20
123
32
8
0
121
43
86
123
61
103
125
99

The above table shows that 36% of the respondents feel that the safety
goggles provided are inadequate and 34% feel that the safety measures
provided while working on cranes are inadequate.

Figure 2.4
Table 2.5
Usage of Safety measures provided

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

22

Always

67

45

Sometimes

82

54

Never

No Opinion

Interpretation
The above table shows that 45% of the respondents say that they always
make use of the safety measures provided to them, 54% uses them sometimes
and 1% never uses it.

Figure 2.5

Table 2.6
Condition of machines, equipments and tools

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Yes
No. of
respondents

Particulars

No
No. of
respondents

Well designed

83

55

67

45

Well maintained

87

58

63

42

Well guarded

85

57

65

43

Interpretation
The above table shows that 55% of the respondents opined that the
machines, equipments and tools are well designed, 58% opined that they are
well maintained and 57% opined that they are well guarded.

Figure 2.6

Table 2.7
Layout designed to avoid accidents

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Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Yes

53

35

No

31

21

To an extent

66

44

No Opinion

Interpretation
The above table shows that 35% of the respondents believe that the
layout of the workplace is designed to avoid accidents, 21% says it is not so and
44% believe that to an extent the workplace is designed to avoid accidents.

Figure 2.7

Table 2.8
Safety measures help reduce severity of accidents

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Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Yes

69

46

No

13

To an extent

54

36

No Opinion

14

Interpretation
The above table shows that 46% of the respondents believe that the
safety measures provided at Cochin Port Trust help reduce the severity of
accidents, 9% believes otherwise and 36% believe that to an extent the safety
measures help in reducing the severity of accidents.

Figure 2.8

Table 2.9
Immediate actions taken to investigate accidents

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Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Always

122

81

Sometimes

21

14

Never

No Opinion

Interpretation
The above table shows that 81% of the respondents feel that always
immediate actions are taken to investigate accidents, 14% feel that it is so
sometimes and 5% feels that immediate actions are never taken to investigate
accidents.

Figure 2.9

Table 2.10
Risk factor perceived while working at Cochin Port Trust

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Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Yes

84

56

No

49

33

To an extent

17

11

No Opinion

Interpretation
The above table shows that 56% of the respondents opined that they
perceive a risk factor wile working at Cochin Port Trust, 33% opined that they do
not perceive any risk factor and 11% opined that to an extent they perceive a risk
factor.

Figure 2.10

Table 2.11
Tend to avoid work due to risk involved in it

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Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Always

Sometimes

13

Never

136

90

No Opinion

Interpretation
The above table shows that 90% of the respondents say that the never
avoid work due to the risk involved in it. 9% sometimes avoids work and 1%
always avoids work.

Figure 2.11

Table 2.12
In case of accidents, the management takes good care of the employees

29

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Strongly Agree

31

21

Agree

85

56

No Opinion

Disagree

28

19

Strongly disagree

Interpretation
The above table shows that 21% of the respondents strongly agree that in
case of accidents, the management would take good care of them, 56% agree
and 19% disagree to this. 4% of the respondents had no opinion on the matter.

Figure 2.12

Table 2.13
Safety measures make you feel secure

30

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Yes

127

85

No

23

15

Total

150

100

Interpretation
The above table shows that 85% of the respondents feel that the safety
measures make them feel more secure while working at Cochin Port Trust and
15% of them feel otherwise.

Figure 2.13

Table 2.14
Level of satisfaction of existing Safety Measures

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No. of
Respondents

Percentage

122

81

Neutral

Dissatisfactory

24

16

Highly Dissatisfactory

Particulars
Highly Satisfactory
Satisfactory

Interpretation
The above table shows that 2% of the respondents are highly satisfied
with the safety measures at Cochin Port, 81% are satisfied, 1% are neutral in
their opinion and 16% are dissatisfied with the safety measures.

Figure 2.14

Table 2.15
Should more safety measures be introduced

32

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Yes

97

65

No

53

35

Total

150

100

Interpretation
The above table shows that 65% of the respondents feel that more safety
measures are to be introduced and 53% feel that it need not be introduced.

Figure 2.15

Table 2.16
Safety measures to be introduced
Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

33
Proper training for all

66

68

Increase awareness

57

59

Improve quality of shoes/mask

57

59

Pollution control

42

43

Improve condition of equipments

39

40

Improve condition of workplace

21

22

Training to be made practical

18

19

Others

51

53

Interpretation
The above table shows that among the 97 respondents who feel that
safety measures are to be introduced, 44% feels proper training should be
provided for all workers, 38% feels the need to increase awareness about safety,
38% feels that the quality of shoes/mask should be improved, 28% feels that
pollution should be controlled, 26% feels the condition of equipments should be
improved, 14% feels the condition of workplace should be improved and 12%
feels the training should be made practical.

Figure 2.16
Table 2.17
Welfare measures help to

34

Welfare measures help :

Strongly
Agree

Agree

No
Opinion

Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

No.

No.

No.

No.

To create better industrial

relations

10

107

71

22

15

11

To create greater loyalty

30

20

112

75

To foster team spirit

25

17

119

79

Interpretation
The above table shows that 7% of the respondents strongly agree to the
fact that welfare measures help in creating better industrial relations, 71% agree,
7% disagree and 15% didnt have an opinion on this. 20% of the respondents
strongly agree that welfare measures help in creating greater loyalty, 75% agree
and 5% did not have an opinion. 17% of the respondents strongly agree that
welfare measures help to foster team spirit, 79% agree, 3% disagree and 1% did
not have an opinion.

Figure 2.17
Table 2.18
Level of Satisfaction of Welfare measures

35

Highly
Satisfactory

Satisfactory

Neutral

Dissatisfa
ctory

Medical facilities

14

109

24

Highly
Dissatisfa
ctory
0

Canteens

107

Rest rooms

89

52

Recreational facilities

70

24

55

Cultural facilities
Family planning
programmes
Educational facilities

68

52

29

52

92

112

19

15

Transport facilities
Co-operative
establishments
Housing facilities

54

75

13

40

100

10

101

43

Shopping facilities

74

27

49

First-Aid facilities

118

27

Ex-gratia payments
Compassionate
appointments

63

65

22

80

61

Welfare measures

Interpretation
The above table shows that the responses of the employees are clustered
in the satisfactory region. This shows that a majority of the respondents are
satisfied with the welfare measures at CoPT. The welfare measure that most of
the employees are dissatisfied with is transport facilities.

36

37

38

39

Figure 2.18

Table 2.19
Welfare measures satisfy needs

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

Always

28

19

Sometimes

120

80

40

Never

No Opinion

Interpretation
The above table shows that 19% of the respondents feel that the welfare
measures always help to satisfy their needs, 80% feels that it helps sometimes
and 1% believe that it never helps.

Figure 2.19

Table 2.20
Level of Satisfaction of welfare measures

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

41

Highly Satisfied

138

92

Neutral

Dissatisfied

10

Highly Dissatisfied

Satisfied

Interpretation
The above table shows that 92% of the respondents opined that they are
satisfied with the existing welfare measures, 7% are dissatisfied and 1% was
neutral in their opinion.

Figure 2.20

Table 2.21
Disappointed by any welfare measure

Particulars

No. of
Respondents

Percentage

42

Yes

29

19

No

121

81

Total

150

100

Interpretation
The above table shows that 19% of the respondents say that they are
disappointed by certain welfare measure but 81% of them say that they are not.

Figure 2.21

Table 2.22
Disappointed by welfare measure
Particulars
Medical facilities

No. of
Respondents
4

Percentage
14

43
Canteen food

14

Rest room facilities

10

Educational facilities

Transport facilities
Compassionate
appointment
Others

21

14

20

Interpretation
The above table shows that among the 29 respondents who were
disappointed by certain welfare measures, 14% were disappointed by medical
facilities, 21% by the canteen food, 10% by the rest room facilities, 7% by the
educational facilities, 14% by the transport facilities, and 14% by the
compassionate appointments.

Figure 2.22
Table 2.23
Welfare measures to be improved
Particulars
Medical facilities
Canteens
Rest rooms

No. of
Respondents
19
32
29

Percentage
13
21
19

44
Educational facilities
Transport facilities
First-Aid facilities
Compassionate appointments
Others

16
38
15
37
21

11
25
10
25
14

Interpretation
The above table shows that 25% of the respondents feel that transport
facilities should be improved, 25% feels that compassionate appointments be
improved, 21% feel canteen facilities be improved, 19% feel rest room facilities
be improved, 11% feel that educational facilities be improved, 13% feel medical
facilities be improved, 10% feel that first aid facilities be improved.

Figure 2.23
2.2.2 Statistical Analysis
2.2.2.1 Category of workers and level of satisfaction of existing safety
measures
H0:

There is no significant association between the category of employees

and their level of satisfaction regarding the existing safety measures.

H1:

There is a significant association between the category of employees and

their level of satisfaction regarding the existing safety measures.

45

Table 2.24
Highly Skilled
Satisfactory
Observed 15
Expected 16.8
Dissatisfactory Observed 5
Expected 3.2

Skilled
53
50.3
7
9.7

Unskilled
57
57.9
12
11.1

Level of significance = 0.05

Degrees of freedom = 2
Calculated 2 value, = 2.18888
Table value 2 @ 0.05, df: 2 = 5.991

Figure 2.24
Interpretation
Since the calculated value 2.188 falls in the acceptance region we
accept the null hypothesis against the alternate hypothesis at 0.05 level of
significance and 2 degrees of freedom.

46
We may conclude that there is no significant difference in the level of
satisfaction of existing safety measures among the different category of workers.

2.2.2.2 Departments and level of satisfaction of existing safety measures

H0:

There is no dependence between the departments and the level of

satisfaction of existing safety measures.

H1:

There is a dependence between the departments and the level of

satisfaction of existing safety measures.
Table 2.25
Mechanical
Satisfactory
Observed 78
Expected 74.7
Dissatisfactory Observed 12
Expected 15.3

Level of significance = 0.05

Degrees of freedom = 1
Calculated 2 value, = 2.8202
Table value 2 @ 0.05, df: 1 = 3.841

Traffic
29
32.3
10
6.7

47
Interpretation
Since the calculated value 2.8202 falls in the acceptance region we
accept the null hypothesis against the alternate hypothesis at 0.05 level of
significance and 1 degree of freedom.
We may conclude that there is no dependence between the
departments and the level of satisfaction of existing safety measures.
In the Marine department a majority of 90% are satisfied with the
safety measures and 10% are dissatisfied.

2.2.2.3Attended safety training programmes and level of satisfaction of

safety measures
H0:

There is no significant association between the fact that the employees

have attended safety training programmes and their level of satisfaction
regarding the existing safety measures.

H1:

There is a significant association between the fact that the employees

have attended safety training programmes and their level of satisfaction
regarding the existing safety measures.
Table 2.26

Level of
satisfaction
Satisfactory
Dissatisfactory

Frequency
Observed
Expected
Observed
Expected

Level of significance = 0.05

Degrees of freedom = 1
Calculated 2 value, = 15.8427

Attended safety training programmes

Yes
No
68
57
77.18
47.82
24
0
14.82
9.18

48
Table value 2 @ 0.05, df: 1 = 3.841

Figure 2.25
Interpretation
Since the calculated value 15.8427 falls in the rejection region we reject
the null hypothesis against the alternate hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance
and 1 degree of freedom. Thus we accept the alternate hypothesis.
Therefore we conclude that there is a significant association between
the fact that the employees have attended safety training programmes and their
level of satisfaction regarding the existing safety measures.
Phi Coefficient
= [2 /n]
= [15.8427 / 149]
= 0.326
Since the value is positive, there exists a direct association between
the level of satisfaction of the employees and the fact that they have attended

49
safety training programmes. But since the value 0.326 is very close to zero it is a
weak association.
2.2.2.4Perception of risk and level of satisfaction of existing safety
measures
H0:

There is no significant association between the perception of risk factor

and the level of satisfaction of employees regarding the existing safety
measures.

H1:

There is a significant association between the perception of risk factor and

the level of satisfaction of employees regarding the existing safety
measures.
Table 2.27

Level of satisfaction
Satisfactory
Dissatisfactory

Frequency
Observed
Expected
Observed
Expected

Perception of risk
Yes
No
62
63
69.6
55.4
21
3
13.4
10.6

Level of significance = 0.05

Degrees of freedom = 1
Calculated 2 value, = 10.1518
Table value 2 @ 0.05, df: 1 = 3.841
Interpretation
Since the calculated value 10.1518 is greater than the table value and
falls in the rejection region we reject the null hypothesis against the alternate
hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance and 1 degree of freedom. Thus we accept
the alternate hypothesis. Therefore we conclude that there is a is a significant
association between the perception of risk factor and the level of satisfaction of
employees regarding the existing safety measures.
Phi Coefficient
= 0.261

50
There exists a weak positive association between the perception of risk
factor and the level of satisfaction of employees regarding the existing safety
measures.
2.2.2.5 Category of workers and level of satisfaction of welfare measures
H0:

There is no significant association between the category of employees

and their level of satisfaction regarding welfare measures.

H1:

There is a significant association between the category of employees and

their level of satisfaction regarding welfare measures.
Table 2.28

Satisfactory

Observed
Expected
Dissatisfactory Observed
Expected

Skilled
79
74.59
1
5.41

Unskilled
59
63.41
9
4.59

Level of significance = 0.05

Degrees of freedom = 1
Calculated 2 value, = 6.6027
Table value 2 @ 0.05, df: 1 = 3.841
Interpretation
Since the calculated value 6.6027 falls in the rejection region we reject
the null hypothesis against the alternate hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance
and 1 degree of freedom. Thus we accept the alternate hypothesis.
Therefore we conclude that there is a significant association between
the level of satisfaction of welfare measures among the various category of
employees.
Phi Coefficient

51
= 0.211
There exists a weak positive association between overall level of
satisfaction of welfare measures among the various categories.
2.2.2.6 Departments and level of satisfaction of welfare measures
H0:

There is no dependence between the departments and the level of

satisfaction of welfare measures.

H1:

There is a dependence between the departments and the level of

satisfaction of welfare measures.
Table 2.29
Mechanical
Satisfactory
Observed 85
Expected 83
Dissatisfactory Observed 5
Expected 7

Traffic
33
35
5
3

Level of significance = 0.05

Degrees of freedom = 1
Calculated 2 value, = 1.1628
Table value 2 @ 0.05, df: 1 = 3.841
Interpretation
Since the calculated value 1.1628 falls in the acceptance region we
accept the null hypothesis against the alternate hypothesis at 0.05 level of
significance and 1 degree of freedom.
We may conclude that there is no dependence between the
Mechanical and Traffic departments and the level of satisfaction of welfare
measures. All the 20 respondents in the Marine department are satisfied with the
welfare measures.

52

2.2.2.7Level of satisfaction of Transport facilities and overall level of

satisfaction of welfare measures
H0:

There is no significant association between the level of satisfaction of

transport facilities and the overall level of satisfaction of welfare measures.

H1:

There is a significant association between the level of satisfaction of

transport facilities and the overall level of satisfaction of welfare measures.
Table 2.30

Level of satisfaction
Satisfactory
Dissatisfactory

Frequency
Observed
Expected
Observed
Expected

Transport facilities
Satisfactory
Dissatisfactory
62
78
57.87
82.13
0
10
4.13
5.87

Level of significance = 0.05

Degrees of freedom = 1
Calculated 2 value, = 5.8234
Table value 2 @ 0.05, df: 1 = 3.841
Interpretation
Since the calculated value 5.8234 falls in the rejection region we reject
the null hypothesis against the alternate hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance
and 1 degree of freedom. Thus we accept the alternate hypothesis.
Therefore we conclude that there is a significant association between
the level of satisfaction of transport facilities and the overall level of satisfaction of
welfare measures.
Phi Coefficient
= 0.197

53
There exists a weak positive association between the level of satisfaction of
transport facilities and the overall level of satisfaction of welfare measures.

CHAPTER 3

FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

3.1

FINDINGS

3.1.1 Based on Percentage Analysis

1.

The study shows that 75% of the respondents opined adequate

safety training programmes are conducted at Cochin Port Trust and
25% of them opined it is not.

2.

The study shows that 62% of the respondents have attended safety
training programmes and 38% of them have not.

3.

The study shows that 10% of the respondents have rated the
training programmes as highly effective, 84% have rated it as
effective, 5% have no opinion and 1% says it is ineffective.

4.

The study shows that 91% of the respondents opined that the
management provides safety awareness and 9% opined that it
does not.

5.

The study shows that a majority of 84% employees feel that CoPT
mostly creates safety awareness through bulletin boards and the

54
least through safety competitions as only 14% believes that safety
awareness is created through safety competitions.
6.

The study shows that 36% of the respondents feel that the safety
goggles provided are inadequate and 34% feel that the safety
measures provided while working on cranes are inadequate.

7.

The study shows that 45% of the respondents say that they always
make use of the safety measures provided to them, 54% uses them
sometimes and 1% never uses it.

8.

The study shows that 55% of the respondents opined that the
machines, equipments and tools are well designed, 58% opined
that they are well maintained and 57% opined that they are well
guarded.

9.

The study shows that 35% of the respondents believe that the
layout of the workplace is designed to avoid accidents, 21% says it
is not so and 44% believe that to an extent the workplace is
designed to avoid accidents.

10.

The study shows that 46% of the respondents believe that the
safety measures provided at Cochin Port Trust help reduce the
severity of accidents, 9% believes otherwise and 36% believe that
to an extent the safety measures help in reducing the severity of
accidents.

11.

The study shows that 81% of the respondents feel that always
immediate actions are taken to investigate accidents, 14% feel that
it is so sometimes and 5% feels that immediate actions are never
taken to investigate accidents.

12.

The study shows that 56% of the respondents opined that they
perceive a risk factor wile working at Cochin Port Trust, 33% opined

55
that they do not perceive any risk factor and 11% opined that to an
extent they perceive a risk factor.
13.

The study shows that 90% of the respondents say that the never
avoid work due to the risk involved in it. 9% sometimes avoids work
and 1% always avoids work.

14.

The study shows that 21% of the respondents strongly agree that in
case of accidents, the management would take good care of them,
56% agree and 19% disagree to this. 4% of the respondents had
no opinion on the matter.

15.

The study shows that 85% of the respondents feel that the safety
measures make them feel more secure while working at Cochin
Port Trust and 15% of them feel otherwise.

16.

The study shows that 2% of the respondents are highly satisfied

with the safety measures at Cochin Port, 81% are satisfied, 1% are
neutral in their opinion and 16% are dissatisfied with the safety
measures.

17.

The study shows that 65% of the respondents feel that more safety
measures are to be introduced and 53% feel that it need not be
introduced.

18.

The study shows that among the 97 respondents who feel that
safety measures are to be introduced, 44% feels proper training
should be provided for all workers, 38% feels the need to increase
awareness about safety, 38% feels that the quality of shoes/mask
should be improved, 28% feels that pollution should be controlled,
26% feels the condition of equipments should be improved, 14%
feels the condition of workplace should be improved and 12% feels
the training should be made practical.

56
19.

The study shows that 95% of the respondents opined that they are
happy with the welfare measures at Cochin Port Trust and 5%
opined they are not.

20.

The study shows that 7% of the respondents strongly agree to the

fact that welfare measures help in creating better industrial
relations, 71% agree, 7% disagree and 15% didnt have an opinion
on this. 20% of the respondents strongly agree that welfare
measures help in creating greater loyalty, 75% agree and 5% did
not have an opinion. 17% of the respondents strongly agree that
welfare measures help to foster team spirit, 79% agree, 3%
disagree and 1% did not have an opinion.

21.

The study shows that the responses of the employees are

clustered in the satisfactory region. This shows that a majority of
the respondents are satisfied with the welfare measures at CoPT.
The welfare measure that most of the employees are dissatisfied
with is transport facilities.

22.

The study shows that 19% of the respondents feel that the welfare
measures always help to satisfy their needs, 80% feels that it helps
sometimes and 1% believe that it never helps.

23.

The study shows that 19% of the respondents feel that welfare
measures always help in solving their problems, 73% feels it helps
sometimes, 7% feels it never helps and 1% has no opinion on this
matter.

24.

The study shows that 92% of the respondents opined that they are
satisfied with the existing welfare measures, 7% are dissatisfied
and 1% was neutral in their opinion.

57
25.

The study shows that 19% of the respondents say that they are
disappointed by certain welfare measure but 81% of them say that
they are not.

26.

The study shows that among the 29 respondents who were

disappointed by certain welfare measures, 14% were disappointed
by medical facilities, 21% by the canteen food, 10% by the rest
room facilities, 7% by the educational facilities, 14% by the
transport facilities, and 14% by the compassionate appointments.

27.

The study shows that 25% of the respondents feel that transport
facilities should be improved, 25% feels that compassionate
appointments be improved, 21% feel canteen facilities be improved,
19% feel rest room facilities be improved, 11% feel that educational
facilities be improved, 13% feel medical facilities be improved, 10%
feel that first aid facilities be improved.

3.1.2 Based on Statistical Analysis

1.

There is no significant difference in the level of satisfaction of

existing safety measures among the different category of workers.

2.

There is no dependence between the Mechanical and Traffic

departments and the level of satisfaction of existing safety
measures. In the Marine department 90% of the respondents are
satisfied with the safety measures and 10% are not.

58
3.

There is a significant association between the fact that the

employees have attended safety training programmes and their
level of satisfaction regarding the existing safety measures.

4.

There is a significant association between the perception of risk

factor and the level of satisfaction of employees regarding the
existing safety measures.

5.

There is a significant association between the level of satisfaction

of welfare measures among the various category of employees.

6.

There is no dependence between the Mechanical and Traffic

departments and the level of satisfaction of welfare measures. All
the 20 respondents in the Marine department are satisfied with the
welfare measures.

7.

There is a significant association between the level of satisfaction

of transport facilities and the overall level of satisfaction of welfare
measures.

8.

There is no significant association between the level of satisfaction

of rest room facilities and the overall level of satisfaction of welfare
measures.

3.2

SUGGESTIONS

3.1

The port can ensure that safety training programmes are conducted
for all the employees, since 38% of them opined that they have not
undergone any safety training and the statistical analysis show that
there is an association between the overall level of satisfaction and
the fact that the employees have attended training programmes.

59
Also 19% of the employees feel that the training that is being
provided is not practical. So steps may be adopted to ensure that
training is more practical in nature.
3.2

The researcher feels that the awareness for the safety is quite low
among the employees. Steps may be undertaken to increase the
awareness and need for safety.

3.3

The quality of shoes and mask provided may be improved as 59%

of the respondents have thus opined.

3.4

The management needs to pay attention to the fact that 45% of the
respondents feel that the machines, equipments and tools are not
well designed, 42% feel it is not well maintained, 43% feels it is not
well guarded and ding out reasons for the same.

3.5

The responses of the employees regarding the level of satisfaction

of welfare measures are clustered in the satisfactory region. The
management may take steps to convert these into highly
satisfactory.

3.6

Since 59% of the employees are not satisfied with the transport
facilities provided by the port, steps may be taken to provide
facilities especially fro employees who have to work during night
shifts.

3.7

The conditions of the rest rooms and shelters may be improved

especially in the wharf and electrical sections. They may be
provided with adequate fans and facilities to rest.

3.8

Canteen facilities may be provided by the port at both wharfs and

the electrical sections.

60
3.9

The port may ensure that medical personnel are always available at
the first aid facilities.

3.10

The port may make sure that there is no time lapse in providing the
employees jobs on compassionate grounds.

3.3

CONCLUSION

A study was conducted on the safety and welfare measures provided

to the employees of Cochin Port Trust.

A majority of 81% of the respondents were found to be satisfied with

the safety measures at Cochin Port, 2% were highly satisfied, 1% was neutral in
their opinion and only 16% were dissatisfied with the safety measures.

A majority of the respondents feel secure while working at CoPT and

feel that the safety measures help to reduce the severity of accidents. Even
though 56% of them perceive a risk factor while working at CoPT, a majority of
90% never avoid work due to this risk factor.

The study again shows that there is a clustering of respondents

opinion in the satisfactory region regarding the level of satisfaction of welfare
measures. This reveals that a majority of respondents are satisfied with the
existing welfare measures. The management may take up steps to convert these
into highly satisfactory.

61
The few welfare measures which were dissatisfactory were transport
facilities, rest room facilities and the time lapse in compassionate appointments.
The management may concentrate on these areas to increase the satisfaction
level of employees towards the welfare measures.