RA58 Portable Ladders

Portable Ladders
System and the risk assessment. To enable work to

In recent months the Club has been notified of a progress the assisting crew member needed to fetch
number of crew injury claims resulting from the use of tools and while doing so witnessed the crew member
portable ladders. Although ladders are in common use aloft stretch his arm to an area that was difficult to
both ashore and on ships, investigations into the causes reach area and slip off the ladder. The resulting fall
of these accidents show the risks associated with their caused spinal injuries and permanent paralysis of the
use at sea are often not fully appreciated. lower body.
Some injuries have occurred because the ladders have Further Information
been badly maintained or damaged; others because the Section 17.3 of the Code of Safe Working Practices for
ladder was set at the wrong angle, or on an unstable Merchant Seafarers (2016 Edition) provides detailed
surface, or was not properly secured at the base or top. advice on safe practices when using portable ladders:
Vessel movement in rough weather can also be a (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/upl
contributory factor and crew using ladders whilst oads/attachment_data/file/578413/CSWPMS_2016_col
working alone was a feature of a number of cases. lated_for_web_final.pdf
Case 1
A member of the crew was painting on the forecastle on
an unsecured portable ladder propped against the mast.
The crew member was wearing a safety harness though
this was secured to the ladder itself. As the crew
member adjusted his position to sit on one of the ladder
rungs the base slipped outwards away from the mast.
The ladder fell to the deck with the crew member still in
a sitting position. He suffered a spinal injury that
required him to be repatriated and undergo surgery.
Case 2
A Reefer Engineer was using an unsecured portable
ladder to access the machinery of a container stowed in
an upper tier on deck. Another crew member secured
the ladder and then left the scene. A short while later
the Reefer Engineer, who was not wearing a safety
harness, was seen to be stretching to reach an access
cover. The cover opened unexpectedly on to his arm
and caused him to lose his balance. He fell backwards
off the ladder and on to the main deck; a distance of
several metres, suffering severe injuries.
Case 3
Two crew members were painting aloft using a portable
ladder. Although a risk assessment had been carried out
prior to starting the work and the ladder was secured,
the crew member aloft was not using a safety harness in
contravention of the operator’s Safety Management
For further information please contact the Loss Prevention Department Page 1 of 2
Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd. Tel: +44 20 7247 5490
Email: [email protected] www.steamshipmutual.com/loss‐prevention/
To summarise the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers:
DO
 Carry out a risk assessment and toolbox talk before DO NOT
starting the job.  Use a ladder if the working height exceeds 9 metres.
 Review your company’s Safety Management System  Carry tools or equipment up a ladder.
for guidance on working at height.  Work on a ladder alone. Make sure someone else is
 Check the ladder is clean and in good condition there to assist.
before using it. If damaged do not use it.  Use a portable ladder for more than 30 minutes.
 Check how much load the ladder can take.  Stand on the top three rungs of the ladder.
 Consider how the ladder can be secured at the top  Exceed the maximum load of the ladder.
and bottom before starting.  Overreach on a ladder to work – move the ladder to
 Check the place where the ladder will stand to a closer position.
ensure the base is stable, dry and clear of tools and  Use portable ladders as a horizontal walkway or
equipment that may cause slipping or shifting of the platform, nor to access over the vessel’s side, hatch
ladder. coaming or accommodation.
 Consider the prevailing weather conditions and how  Place a ladder outside an unlocked or unguarded
these may affect the vessel’s motion. door where it can be knocked over if someone
 Make sure the ladder is pitched between 60° and opens the door.
75° from the horizontal.
 Provide a clearance of at least 150mm behind the
rungs.
 Make sure the ladder is properly secured against
slipping or moving sideways at the base and the top
by using a lashing.
 Wear a safety harness which is connected to a
strong place on the vessel’s structure above the
ladder.
 Always face the ladder and keep three points in For further information on this or other Loss Prevention
contact with it, i.e., two feet and one hand or two topics please contact the Loss Prevention Department,
Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd.
hands and one foot.
 Make sure enough lighting is available to illuminate Tel: +44 20 7247 5490
the ladder and work place. Email: [email protected]
 Use wooden or fibreglass ladder when electrical

hazards may be present.
For further information please contact the Loss Prevention Department Page 2 of 2
Steamship Insurance Management Services Ltd. Tel: +44 20 7247 5490
Email: [email protected] www.steamshipmutual.com/loss‐prevention/

RA58 Portable Ladders

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RA58 Portable Ladders

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Portable Ladders

System and the risk assessment. To enable work to

 Use wooden or fibreglass ladder when electrical

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