Safe Access 1 Responsibility

2. Safe Access

2.1 Responsibility

Primary responsibility for ensuring safe access remains at all times with the vessel, regardless of whether a shore gangway is supplied or not.

It is the responsibility of the Chief Officer to ensure safe access, including the provision of a safety net where required, and that a lifebuoy, light and line are provided. If he is not satisfied with the access then he should inform the Master. Access to the vessel should be prohibited unless it is deemed to be safe.

The only occasions where responsibility for safe access does not rest with the vessel are at repair yards where the yard has provided the access and manages it.

Once the access has been fully and completely rigged to the satisfaction of the Chief Officer, personnel may be allowed to use it. Throughout port operations it remains the responsibility of the Deck Officer of the Watch and the deck watch rating to ensure that the access remains correctly and safely rigged.

The Officer of the Watch is responsible for ensuring that:

• The gangway remains clear and is properly illuminated;

• Mooring lines are not allowed to go slack;

• The gangway is properly secured;

• Stanchions are not allowed to become loose;

• The handrail ropes are kept tight;

• A lifebuoy, light and heaving line are available close to the gangway, and, if necessary, a safety harness and work vest or lifejacket;

• A copy of the Fire and Safety Plan with a crew list is available at the head of the gangway.

It should be noted that the rigging of an accommodation ladder may require work outboard, in which case a permit for work aloft or outboard should be completed.

2.2 Provision of Safe Access 2.2.1 General Provisions

Whenever possible either the accommodation ladder or the vessel’s gangway, both with fitted handrails, must be used for access unless the terminal provides adequate access. Homemade gangways, planks of wood, etc., are strictly forbidden.

Where, because of the lack of adequate space on a berth, it is not possible to rig either the accommodation ladder or a gangway, then a pilot ladder, or as a last resort a ladder, will have to be used. In these cases, a safety harness and also a work vest or lifejacket must be made available in addition to the lifebuoy, light and heaving line.

Where the vessel’s gangway is used, the berth must have sufficient landing area to provide an adequate clear run in order to maintain safe, convenient access at all states of the tide and changes in freeboard.

Where necessary the steps of gangways and accommodation ladders should be covered in a suitable non-slip surface to prevent slips.

The following must be taken into account when deploying gangways and accommodation ladders:

• The means of access should be placed as close as possible to the accommodation and as far aft as possible from the manifold;

• It should be borne in mind that the means of access also provides a means of escape. The location of any portable gangway should be carefully considered to ensure that it provides a safe access to any escape route from the jetty;

• Particular attention must be given where the difference in level between the decks of the tanker and jetty becomes large;

• Angles of inclination of a gangway or the accommodation ladder should be kept within the limits for which it was designed. Gangways should not be used at an angle of inclination greater than 30° from the horizontal and accommodation ladders should not be used at an angle greater than 55° from the horizontal, unless they are specifically designed for greater angles;

• A bulwark ladder must be provided when the inboard end of the gangway or accommodation ladder rests on or is flush with the top of a bulwark or handrail;

• Gangways and other access equipment are not be rigged on ships’ rails unless the rail has been reinforced for that purpose;

• Lighting in the area must be adequate;

• As far as is possible access to the vessel should be kept free of snow, ice, grease or any other substance likely to cause a slip or fall;

• Irrespective of whether it is provided by the terminal or the ship, the gangway should be subject to inspections carried out at regular intervals throughout the vessel’s stay at the berth.

Personnel should use only the designated means of access between the ship and shore.

The steps of gangways and accommodation ladders, where necessary, should be provided with a non-slip surface. Such a surface may be provided by the use of non-slip tape.

The top and bottom steps of gangways and accommodation ladders should be painted in a contrasting colour, such as yellow.

2.2.2 Lifebuoys

Each tanker should have available two lifebuoys fitted with McMurdo L40 ‘Ex’ rated Lifebuoy Lights for use at the gangway, pilot access, and accommodation ladder access, as applicable.

Normally one such light will be sufficient, but each vessel should have two such lifebuoys available in case of access being required on both sides at the same time.

Lights which are fitted to lifebuoys in the maindeck area, including up to 3 metres aft of the cargo tanks, and those in the foc’s’le area are to be removed and fitted to lifebuoys around the accommodation such that:

• Not less than half the lifebuoys must be fitted with lights;

• At least one lifebuoy on each side must be fitted with a buoyant line;

• No lifebuoy must be fitted with both a lifeline and light.

Note that the manufacturers of L40 lights have issued instructions for the annual maintenance of lifebuoy lights, and these instructions must be included in the planned maintenance system. L40 lights are to be replaced after 5 years in service.

The lifebuoys for use at access points must have a light fitted, and there must be a heaving line available with each, but not attached to the lifebuoy.

2.3 Marking of Gangways and Accommodation Ladders

Gangways and accommodation ladders have a safe working load. The maximum number of persons and equipment allowed on the gangway at any one time should not exceed this safe working load, and in order to provide guidance throughout the fleet it is a company requirement that only three persons be allowed on a gangway at any one time. The deck watch rating should ensure that this requirement is not exceeded.

All gangways and accommodation ladders must be marked at both ends with the following:

• The maximum angle of inclination. This will be 30⁰ for a gangway and 55⁰ for an accommodation ladder, unless there is manufacturer’s instructions on board stating that these angles may be exceed. If so then that larger angle should be marked;

• The maximum safe loading;

• The maximum number of persons allowed on the gangway at one time. This will in all case be three.

The marking should be painted in as a large a letters as possible, at both ends of the gangway or accommodation ladder, and in a position clearly visible to anyone using the access.

2.4 Safety Nets

The purpose of a safety net is to prevent a person from falling from the access either into the sea or between the vessel and the berth. Safety nets, when fitted, must be spread at the ship’s side sufficiently to prevent anyone falling off the access from falling into the sea or between the vessel and the berth.

Safety nets are required as follows:

• Where non-permanent stanchions and rope handrails are fitted;

• If the permanent handrails are low enough that a person might still fall over them;

• If there is a possibility of a person falling through the gap between the handrail and the gangway structure.

Where rope handrails are fitted these might become slack, or a non-permanent stanchion might become dislodged.

Where a deep fixed handrail is fitted, such as on an accommodation ladder or on a terminal gangway, then it is probable that a safety net will not be required. The decision rests with the Chief Officer whether to provide one or not under these circumstances.

If the terminal supplies a gangway or other means of access, it is the responsibility of the vessel to ensure that a safety net is rigged where one is required.

2.5 Access Area Equipment

A lifebuoy with an ‘Ex’ rated light attached must be provided at the safe access. There must also be a heaving line, which should not be attached to the lifebuoy.

Where necessary, a safety harness and work vest or lifejacket must also be provided.

Access from the top of a gangway to the deck must be provided. This must be safe to use and must not involve a person using the access having to take large or difficult steps. Handrails or ropes must be provided at the top of a gangway in order that persons using the gangway can safely transfer from the gangway to the steps at the rail, and vice versa.

A copy of the Fire and Safety Plan with an up to date Crew List must be positioned at the gangway.

2.6 Maintenance of Gangways and Accommodation Ladders 2.6.1 Gangway Inspection

Each gangway must be inspected at six monthly intervals and the form ECF4 - Gangway Inspection completed. The inspection must pay particular attention to the following, as applicable:

• Steps and treads;

• The structure, including side stringers and cross members, should be checked for condition, particularly corrosion and cracks. Particular attention should be paid to the underside of gangways;

• Top and bottom platforms and turntables, and bottom roller;

• All support points, including lugs, brackets etc.;

• Stanchions, rigid handrails, ropes and connections. Bent stanchions must be replaced.

2.6.2 Gangway Safety Net Inspection

Each gangway safety net must also be inspected at six monthly intervals and the form ECF5 – Accommodation Ladder and Gangway Safety Net Inspection completed.

Any defects in the equipment must be put right before the equipment is used in service.

2.6.3 Accommodation Ladder Inspection

Each accommodation ladder must be inspected at six monthly intervals and the form ECF6 - Accommodation Ladder Inspection completed. The inspection must pay particular attention to the following, as applicable:

• Steps and treads;

• The structure, including side stringers and cross members, should be checked for condition, particularly corrosion and cracks. Particular attention should be paid to the underside of accommodation ladders;

• Top and bottom platforms and turntables, and bottom roller;

• All support points, including lugs, brackets etc.;

• Stanchions, rigid handrails, ropes and connections. Bent stanchions must be replaced;

• Davits, sheaves, and lifting motor;

• Lifting wires, particularly where they pass through sheaves and at ends;

Any defects in the equipment must be put right before the equipment is used in service.

2.6.4 Accommodation Ladder Lifting Wires

The manufacturer’s certificate of test for each accommodation ladder lifting wire must be retained on board in the Lifting Equipment File. When ordering replacement wires the size must be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

The wires must be lubricated on a regular basis and they must be renewed every 30 months.

2.6.5 Accommodation Ladder Lifting Winches

Accommodation ladder lifting winches must be inspected in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, but as at a minimum at annual intervals. The inspection must include the following, as applicable:

• Brake mechanism;

• Remote control system;

• Power supply system.

2.7 Signs and Notices 2.7.1 Tankers

The notice CCR6 - Gangway Notice must be displayed at the shore end of the gangway, accommodation ladder or any other form of access which is in use. The reason for placing the notice at the shore end is simply once a person has boarded it is too late to prevent the carriage of matches, lighters or activated electronic equipment such as mobile phones, on board.

2.8 Control of Access

In accordance with the requirements of the security plan, nobody should be allowed on board unless the person has:

• Confirmed their reason for coming on board;

• Showed adequate photographic identification;

• Confirmed compliance with the requirements of the shore notice;

• Their name and details entered into the Visitor’s Log;

• Been provided with a boarding card.

Persons who have no legitimate business on board should be refused access.

In document DCOM Petroleum & Chemical (Page 56-61)