Member News

(August 14, 2026) Building on more than 32 years of membership, the Port of Albany-Rensselaer, NY, in partnership with the Public Employer Risk Management Association (PERMA), hosted Slip-and-Fall Training demonstrations for staff.

“The Port of Albany-Rensselaer has an incredible 10-person Maintenance and Operations team that serves the entire Port District on both sides of the Hudson River, that includes nearly 430 acres of land, a 20-acre paved marine terminal for open storage, 350,000 square feet of covered storage space, a 60' x 124' RO/RO (roll-on, roll-off), more than a mile of linear wharf, 21 tenant buildings, eight marine warehouses, and a fleet of 40 cargo vehicles. As you can imagine, one day is rarely the same as another,” said Port of Albany CEO Richard Hendrick. “This opportunity with the Slip-Simulator enables us to extend training opportunities to Security and Administrative staff to strengthen awareness and safety precautions for the entire Port staff.”

The Slip-and-Fall Training is the latest in training and grant-funded initiatives that the Port’s Operations & Facilities team has been able to secure.

The Slip Simulator^TM interactive program (video explainer: https://youtu.be/7FGVQfee_Js?si=aHeemD6Z-IOKrqSr) is designed to help prevent one of the most common workplace injuries: slips and falls. The simulator allows participants to practice proper walking techniques safely on a slippery surface, an approach shown to reduce these incidents more effectively.

“Reducing the human impact of slip-and-fall incidents on employees—as well as the operational and financial costs to our member organizations—benefits everyone. This hands-on training teaches workers techniques to improve their stability on slippery surfaces, helping them stay safer on the job and delivering benefits for both employees and employers,” said PERMA Executive Director Mary Beth Woods. “PERMA is committed to helping our members keep their workforce safe. Over the past few years, we have invested millions of dollars in safety grants and initiatives, helping members secure the equipment and services they need to protect employees and create safer workplaces.”

In the past couple of years, the Port has been able to secure grants and equipment, valued at close to $10,000, that includes:

• a Work Zone Safety Kit, which included cones, safety vests, work zone signs, stop-slow paddles, hard hats, whistles, sign stands, etc.,
• IceAlert Kit, which included signs that are posted on the fenceline and in the terminal that change colors to indicate freezing hazards where slippery conditions may exist,
• a Safety Initiative Grant used to purchase inflatable work vests with enhanced mobility/comfort and visibility features along with reliable inflation/flotation for safety,
• training technology and equipment, including a laptop and 55” flat screen TV, to enhance capabilities for group health and safety training sessions, and 
• heavy duty work gloves and ice cleats for use during freezing rain and icy conditions.

PERMA is a member-owned, not-for-profit association of public entities that provided workplace safety, risk management services, and workers’ compensation coverage through a group self-insurance program. PERMA serves more than 800 public entities across New York State. 

In addition to providing training and grant opportunities, PERMA is also consulting as the Port establishes its first official Safety Committee. Made up of staff members representing each of the three departments, the committee will have deliverables including an annual safety report.

“Committee members will rotate every three months so that employees from each department—Operations, Security, and Administration – will have the opportunity to participate, provide input, and gain a better understanding of the Port’s safety initiatives and responsibilities,” said the Port’s Director of Operations & Facilities John Kosa, MPE. “I believe this committee will create a stronger safety culture throughout the Port and provide a consistent process for identifying concerns, sharing information, addressing safety issues, and continuously improving our safety practices.”

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With four transport modes -- ocean vessels, barges, freight railroads, interstate highways -- the Port of Albany is Upstate New York’s largest public port/logistics hub and serves as a Port of Entry with on-site U.S. Customs office. The Port is open and active year-round and includes deep-water shipping access and approximately 430 acres of land on both sides of the Hudson River. The facility has completed more than $100 million in maritime upgrades and investment and $170+ million for a Port expansion project. For more information, visit www.portofalbany.us