Deck Operations
8. Walkways and Avoiding Slips and Falls
8. Walkways and Avoiding Slips and Falls
All areas where personnel walk should be kept clean and free of obstructions at all times. Any oil or other substance which may make the surface slippery must be immediately cleaned up.
8.1 Walkways
Walkways must be kept clear of obstructions. Equipment may only be temporarily stored on walkways and catwalks, and must be moved to a storage location as soon as possible.
Any permanently fitted structure or fitting which might present a tripping hazard on a walkway should be painted in a contrasting colour, such as yellow, or in the case of larger hazards such as manholes, ringed in black and yellow stripes.
Walkways on the main deck and on the poop deck leading into the accommodation access should have a slip band about 1 metre wide and be edged in yellow paint to identify where the non-slip area is.
Removable gratings must be properly secured when in place to prevent movement either when walking over them or when the vessel is moving in a seaway.
Where there is low headroom, the reduced height should be marked either in yellow or with black and yellow bands.
Handrails must not be used for securing objects to.
8.1.1 Openings in Walkways
Where a grating is temporarily removed from a walkway, the area must be fenced off to prevent somebody falling into the space. Warning notices must be posted.
8.1.2 Resin and Fibre Glass Gratings
Occasionally resin or fibreglass gratings are provided in place of the usual galvanised gratings, on walkways and at the manifold saveall. These resin or fibreglass gratings should have a certificate attesting to their fire and chemical resistant properties.
8.2 Ladders and Companionways
The steps and handrails of ladders and companionways must be kept clean at all times. The top and bottom steps of ladders should be painted in a contrasting colour, such as yellow. If deemed necessary, the steps of ladders which present a slipping hazard should be covered in a non-slip material.
During internal inspections the security of handrails and steps on inter-deck companionways must be checked to ensure that they are secure.
8.3 Mooring Areas
Mooring areas on the foc’s’le and the poop deck must be coated with effective non-slip surfaces.
The entire working area should be coated, which may result in all the foc’s’le head and all the poop requiring coating.
Tripping hazards in mooring areas, such as eyebolts in the deck, must be coated in a contrasting colour such as yellow.
8.4 Manifold Areas
Where the height of the manifold platform is 2 metres or more above the level of the main deck, the platform must be fitted with a handrail around the circumference.
Masters may consider that such a precaution is required even where the height is less than 2 metres.
8.5 Working Aloft – Safety Equipment
Whenever a person works more than 2 metres above the deck level, a safety harness must be used. Form FR 6.10 - Work Permit must be completed prior to the work taking place.
Where a person is working in any location where it is possible that they might fall into the sea, both a safety harness and a life vest which provides buoyancy, must be worn. A lifebuoy and line must be immediately available at the work site. A responsible person must supervise such work whilst it is being undertaken.
Under no circumstances is it permitted to work overboard when the vessel is making way.
Whenever a person is working aloft there must be an attendant at deck level to assist as required. If working in an area where the inadvertent operation of any machinery might prejudice the safety of the person working aloft, such as on a radar mast, the notice CCR9 - Working Aloft must be posted.
8.5.1 Safety Harnesses
Each vessel should have at least three safety harnesses on board. Only harnesses with webbing straps over the shoulders, around the waist and between the legs are to be used. Belt type safety harnesses, the use of which may result in significant internal injury, are not permitted aboard Columbia vessels and should be disposed of.
Safety harnesses are to be properly stored, under the control of the Chief Officer, away from any substance, such as paint or chemicals, which may damage them. Each harness is to be individually identified and regularly checked for condition. Records of inspection are to be maintained.
Safety harnesses must be checked every 3 months and the ECF2 - Lifting Equipment – Safety Harnesses Check completed. Safety harnesses must also be personally checked by the Chief Officer prior to each use and the record completed.
8.5.2 Working Life Vests
Each vessel should have at least three working life vests on board. These should be of the positive buoyancy type. The use of inflatable life vests is discouraged because of the maintenance that they require, and once the CO2 cartridge has expired they should be disposed of and replaced with a working vest type.
Working life vests are to be properly stored, under the control of the Chief Officer, away from any substance, such as paint or chemicals, which may damage them. Each working life vest is to be individually identified and regularly checked for condition. Records of inspection are to be maintained.
Working life vests must be checked every 3 months and the ECF3 - Lifting Equipment – Working Life Vests Check completed. Working life vests must also be personally checked by the Chief Officer prior to each use and the record completed.
Lifejackets must not be used in place of working vests.
8.5.3 Bosun’s Chairs
The Chief Officer is responsible for ensuring that bosun’s chairs are properly stowed away from any substance, such as paint or chemicals, which may damage them. Prior to use, the condition of the seat and the rope work is to be thoroughly checked for condition. If there is any doubt as to the condition, the chair is to be withdrawn from service.
Safety harnesses must always be used when working from bosun’s chairs and if necessary, working life vests. Bosun’s chairs must be secured to the gantline by a double sheet bend and the end seized to the standing part with an adequate tail.
Winches must not be used to haul a person aloft in a bosun’s chair – it should be carried out only by hand.
8.5.4 Stages
The Chief Officer is responsible for ensuring that stages are properly stowed away from any substance, such as paint or chemicals, which may damage them. Prior to use the condition of the stage and associated rope work is to be thoroughly checked for condition. If there is any doubt as to the condition, the stage is to be withdrawn from service.
Safety harnesses must always be used when working from bosun’s chairs, and if necessary, working life vests.
8.5.5 Gantlines
The Chief Officer is responsible for ensuring that gantlines are properly stowed away from any substance, such as paint or chemicals, which may damage them. Prior to use, the condition of the gantline is to be thoroughly checked for condition. If there is any doubt as to the condition, the stage is to be withdrawn from service.