Kalajoki Port
– Flexible HSEQ expertise for the everyday operations of port companies

Interview with Harri Honkala, CEO of Kalajoki Port, and Joni Siipola, Port Engineer.

Kalajoki Port is an agile and bustling city port that plays a significant role in the region's economy. The port's roots lie in the needs of the large sawmill industry, but today its operations are also strongly based on primary production: grain exports, feed raw materials, and various project shipments, with approximately 100–150 ship visits annually.

Its location near the Rahja archipelago and Kalajoki tourist area makes environmental responsibility a natural part of the port's operations. Although only CEO Harri Honkala and port engineer Joni Siipola work for the port company itself, a large number of companies operate in the area on a daily basis: tugboats, pilots, agencies, contractors, and logistics partners. This multi-stakeholder environment makes the port a typical shared workplace, where safety and environmental responsibilities must be managed systematically and cooperatively.

Previously, occupational safety was not the responsibility of the port company, but the shared workplace obligation changed the situation. A small organization did not have the capacity to handle all occupational safety, environmental, and quality system tasks with its own resources.

“Outsourcing was the only sensible solution. Legislation is constantly changing, and someone who actively monitors it is a great help to us,” says Honkala.

Kalajoki Port had been working with Protect for almost ten years, so the decision was a natural one. It was important to find an expert who could relate security issues to the size and operating environment of the port.

“The basic assumption is that experts have substantive expertise. But what is even better than the minimum requirement is the ability to relate things to the customer – not to overshoot,” Honkala notes.

Protect's HSEQ expert, Marke Paavola, plays a practical role at the port. He supports both the port company and the entire group of port operators: he leads the safety working group, is responsible for system work, supports preparations for regulatory requirements, and handles safety issues in the field. Cooperation is not limited to meetings alone.

“We communicate on a weekly basis, with a very low threshold. The companies working at the port consider Marke to be practically one of our own employees,” says Honkala.

Marke also visits the port on his own initiative, stops by different operators and deals with matters directly with them. Many operators know him personally, which makes it easier to implement safety measures.

The Port of Kalajoki has a safety working group that meets regularly and conducts safety walks in the area. The group has undergone significant development.

– “The work of the safety working group has become more relaxed and natural – it’s a big step in the right direction.”

Safety walks are conducted alternately in groups and individually. Their purpose has been to change attitudes and make safety a natural part of everyday life.

The most challenging aspect is the interface between multiple actors: you cannot simply give direct instructions to employees from different companies.

“In some situations, it can be challenging to point things out to employees of other companies. Protect brought clarity and support to everyday situations ,” Honkala says.

Kalajoki Port has built its quality and environmental management system on the PRO24 platform based on ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 requirements. The aim has been to bring all documentation, notifications, and processes together under one platform—a solution that is both critical and practical in the everyday life of a small organization.

“We wanted a single system, and with PRO24, we got everything under one roof.”

However, the system alone does not solve everything. Its functionality and benefits depend on how it is maintained and managed on a daily basis. Protect's expert has played a key role in this. Marke is responsible for maintaining the PRO24 system and managing documentation, as well as ensuring that the whole system remains structured and up to date.

– “Yes, the biggest benefits are documentation, system maintenance, and overall structuring. We don't have enough time for that ourselves. Protect's support has made this much easier.”

The change is directly visible in everyday life. When documentation and systems are in order, work is no longer a constant reaction. Systematic documentation has also made it easier to comply with regulatory requirements.

– “We do things well, but our record-keeping may have been lacking in some areas. Audits require us to be able to show what we have done – now it is all stored.”

In cooperation, not only expertise but also the way of working becomes important.

– “When I call, Marke answers. If he can't, he calls me back. That saves a huge amount of time.”

Having a physical presence is a significant advantage for Kalajoki Port. Protect's office is nearby, which enables a quick response.

Finally, the port manager sums up his experience: “If Protect sum up Protect in one word, it would be flexibility.”