PORT workers have today rewarded for their efforts in reducing the number of accidents at Britain’s busiest container port in the past year.

The John Bubb Safety Trophy has been won for the second year in a row by an operational shift at the Port of Felixstowe.

In the past, the port’s rail department and temperature-controlled examination facility have repeatedly taken the title, but last year workers on B Shift claimed the title and this year C Shift has walked away with the award.

Members of C Shift, which includes berth operators, crane drivers, internal movement vehicle drivers, and terminal managers, reduced the number of reportable accidents on the shift by 64 per cent in the last 12 months, one of the largest reductions ever at the port.

David Gledhill, chief executive officer of port owners Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, said: “This trophy recognises the group demonstrating the most significant improvement in health and safety over the year.

“In this case, C Shift have made a dramatic improvement in their accident rates, and I would like to thank them all for their superb efforts and congratulate them on this excellent achievement.

“There is no level of accidents that we consider acceptable. Even one accident is one too many.

“It is encouraging, however, to see that our continual focus on safety and raising the profile of safety in the workplace is paying off, and helping to make the port an ever safer environment to work in.”

The trophy was named after John Bubb, a former manager at the port, in honour of his support and commitment to improving safety.

The port as a whole managed to reduce reportable accidents by 24pc during 2011.