Docks (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1960.
Statutory Instruments
Source: Statutory Instruments

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paragraphs: —(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Docks (Safety, Health and Welfare) Regulations, 1960.
(2) These Regulations shall come into operation on the 1st day of April 1961.
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paragraphs: —(1) In these Regulations—
"processes" means the processes mentioned at Regulation 3 of these Regulations, or any of them;
"person employed" means a person employed in the processes;
"prescribed" means prescribed by the Minister;
"hatch" means an opening in a deck used for the purpose of the processes or for trimming or for ventilation;
"hatchway" means the whole space within the square of the hatches, from the top deck to the bottom of the hold;
"lifting machinery" means cranes, winches, hoists, derrick booms, derrick and mast bands, goose necks, eyebolts and all other permanent attachments to the derricks, masts and decks, used in hoisting or lowering in connection with the processes;
"the Minister" means the Minister for Industry and Commerce;
"pulley block" means pulley, block, gin and similar gear, other than a crane block specially constructed for use with a crane to which it is permanently attached.
"shallow canal" includes any of the following parts of a canal, canalised river, non-tidal river or inland navigation:—
(a) any part having no means of access to tidal waters except through a lock not exceeding ninety feet in length;
(b) any part not in frequent use for the processes, and
(c) any part at which the depth of water within fifteen feet of the edge does not ordinarily exceed five feet.
(2) The Minister may prescribe anything in these Regulations referred to as prescribed or to be prescribed.
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paragraphs: —(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this Regulation, these Regulations shall apply to the processes of loading, unloading, moving and handling goods in, on or at any dock, wharf or quay, and the processes of loading, unloading and coaling any ship in any dock, harbour or canal.
(2) Parts III, IV and V and Regulations 51, 52, 53 and 54, of these Regulations shall not apply to the unloading of fish from a vessel employed in the catching of fish.
(3) Regulations 13, 14 (so far as regards liability to provide means of access), 15, 17, 18, 20 and 21, paragraph (1) of Regulation 41 and Regulation 52 of these Regulations shall not apply to a barge or lighter.
(4) Where a certificate issued by the Minister and for the time being in force states that the application of any requirement of these Regulations relating to safety or health is not necessary in the interests of safety or health or is not reasonably practicable in relation to any particular class or description of dock, wharf or quay, that class or description of dock, wharf or quay shall be exempt from that requirement.
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paragraphs: —(1) It shall be the duty of the person having the general management and control of a dock, wharf or quay to comply with Parts II and VIII of these Regulations but, if any other person has the exclusive right to occupation of any part of the dock, wharf or quay and has the general management and control of such part, the duty in respect of that part shall devolve upon that other person.
(2) It shall be the duty of the owner, master or officer in charge of a ship to comply with Part III of these Regulations.
(3) It shall be the duty of the owner of machinery or plant used in the processes and, in the case of machinery or plant carried on board a ship, not being a ship registered in the State, it shall also be the duty of the master of the ship, to comply with Part IV of these Regulations.
(4) It shall be the duty of every person who by himself, his agents or workmen carries on the processes, and of all agents, workmen and persons employed by him in the processes to comply with Part V of these Regulations but, where the processes are carried on by a stevedore or other person other than the owner of the ship, it shall be the duty of the owner, master or officer in charge of the ship to comply with Regulation 41 of these Regulations in so far as it relates to—
(a) any hatch not taken over by the said stevedore or other person for the purpose of the processes, and
(b) any hatch which, after having been taken over by the said stevedore or other person for the purpose of the processes—
(i) has been reported by written notice in the prescribed, form to the owner, master or officer in charge of the ship, by or on behalf of the said stevedore or other person, as being a hatch at which the processes have been completed or completed for the time being, and
(ii) either has been left by the said stevedore or other person fenced or covered as required by Regulation 41 of these Regulations or has been taken into use by or on behalf of the owner of the ship, and in either case has been so reported by such written notice as aforesaid.
(5) It shall be the duty of the owner, master or officer in charge of the ship to give immediately a written acknowledgment in the prescribed form of such written notice as aforesaid.
(6) It shall be the duty of all persons, whether owners, occupiers or persons employed, to comply with Part VI of these Regulations.
(7) Part VII of these Regulations shall be complied with by the persons on whom the duty is placed in that Part.
(8) This Regulation shall not have effect in relation to any dock, wharf, quay or ship on a shallow canal.
PART II.
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paragraphs: Every regular approach over a dock, wharf or quay which persons employed have to use for going to or from a working place at which the processes are carried on and every such working place on shore shall be maintained with due regard to the safety of the persons employed. In particular the following parts shall, as far as is practicable having regard to the traffic and working, be securely fenced so that the height of the fence shall be in no place less than two feet six inches, and the fencing shall be maintained in good condition ready for use:
(a) all breaks, dangerous corners and other dangerous parts or edges of a dock, wharf or quay;
(b) both sides of such footways over bridges, caissons and dock gates as are in general use by persons employed, and each side of the entrance at each end of such footway for a sufficient distance not exceeding five yards.
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paragraphs: Provision for the rescue from drowning of persons employed shall be made and maintained, and shall include—
(a) a supply of life-saving appliances, kept in readiness on the wharf or quay, which shall be reasonably adequate having regard to all the circumstances, and
(b) means, which shall be reasonably adequate having regard to all the circumstances, at or near the surface of the water at reasonable intervals for enabling a person immersed to support himself or escape from the water.
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paragraphs: —(1) All places in which there are persons employed and any dangerous parts of the regular road or way over a dock, wharf or quay, forming the approach to any such place from the nearest highway, shall be efficiently lighted.
(2) The towing path of a canal or canalised river shall not be deemed to be "an approach" for the purpose of paragraph (1) of this Regulation.
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paragraphs: —(1) A sufficient number of first-aid boxes or cupboards of the standard prescribed in paragraph C of Regulation 2 of the First Aid in Factories Regulations, 1956 ( S.I. No. 166 of 1956 ), shall be provided at every working place and, if more than one is provided, at reasonable distances from each other.
(2) A first-aid box or cupboard shall be marked plainly "First-Aid".
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paragraphs: Nothing except appliances or requisites for first-aid shall be kept in a first-aid box or cupboard.
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paragraphs: A first-aid box or cupboard shall be kept stocked and in good order and shall be placed under the charge of a responsible person who shall always be readily available during working hours. Such person shall, except at docks, wharves or quays at which the total number of persons employed at any time does not exceed fifty, be a person trained in first-aid.
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paragraphs: There shall be provided for use at every dock, wharf or quay at which the total number of persons employed at any time exceeds fifty a mechanically propelled vehicle, which shall be maintained in good condition, for the purpose of, and suitable for the removal of serious cases of accident or sickness, unless arrangements have been made for obtaining an ambulance when required from a hospital or other place situate not more than ten miles from the dock, wharf or quay and in telephonic communication therewith.
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paragraphs: Notices shall be exhibited in prominent positions at every dock, wharf or quay stating—
(a) the position of each first-aid box and the place where the person in charge thereof can be found,
(b) the position of stretchers or other appliances, and
(c) the position of the mechanically propelled vehicle or, where a mechanically propelled vehicle is not provided, the position of the nearest telephone and the name and telephone number of the hospital or other place from which an ambulance may be obtained.
PART III.
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paragraphs: —(1) If a ship is lying at a wharf or quay for the purpose of loading or unloading or coaling, there shall be safe means of access for the use of persons employed at such times as they have to pass from the ship to the shore or from the shore to the ship as follows:—
(a) where reasonably practicable the ship's accommodation ladder or a gangway or a similar construction not less than twenty-two inches wide, properly secured, and fenced throughout on each side to a clear height of two feet nine inches by means of upper and lower rails, taut ropes or chains or by other equally safe means, except that, in the case of the ship's accommodation ladder, such fencing shall be necessary on one side only if the other side is properly protected by the ship's side.
(b) in other cases, a ladder of sound material and adequate length which shall be properly secured to prevent slipping.
(2) (a) Nothing in paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall be held to apply to cargo stages or cargo gangways if other proper means of access is provided in conformity with these Regulations.
(b) Paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall not apply as regards any sailing vessel not exceeding two hundred and fifty tons net registered tonnage and any steam vessel not exceeding one hundred and fifty tons gross registered tonnage if and while the conditions are such that it is possible without undue risk to pass to and from the ship without the aid of any special appliances.
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paragraphs: —(1) If a ship is alongside any other ship, vessel or boat and persons employed have to pass from one to the other, safe means of access shall be provided for their use unless the conditions are such that it is possible to pass from one to the other without undue risk without the aid of any special appliance.
(2) If one of such ships, vessels or boats is a sailing barge flat, keel, lighter or other similar vessel of relatively low freeboard, the means of access shall be provided by the ship which has the higher freeboard.
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paragraphs: —(1) If the depth from the level of the deck to the bottom of the hold exceeds five feet, there shall be maintained safe means of access from the deck to the hold in which work is being carried on.
(2) Save as hereinafter provided, such access shall be afforded by ladder and by ladder cleats or cups on the coamings, and shall not be deemed to be safe—
(a) unless the ladders between the lower decks are in the same line as the ladder from the top deck, if the same is practicable having regard to the position of the lower hatch or hatches;
(b) unless the ladders provide a foothold of a depth, including any space behind the ladder, of not less than four and one-half inches for a width of ten inches and a firm handhold;
(c) unless the cleats or cups provided on coamings—
(i) provide a foothold of a depth including any space behind the cleats or cups of not less than four and one-half inches for a width of ten inches and a firm handhold,
(ii) are so constructed as to prevent a man's foot slipping off the side, and
(iii) are placed vertically one above the other and in the same line as the ladders to which they give access;
(d) unless the cargo is stowed sufficiently far from the ladder to leave at each rung of the ladder foothold of a depth including any space behind the ladder of not less than four and one-half inches for a width of ten inches and a firm handhold;
(e) unless there is room to pass between a winch or other obstruction and the coamings at the place where the ladder leaves the deck;
(f) if the ladder is recessed under the deck more than is reasonably necessary to keep the ladder clear of the hatchway,
but such access may be afforded—
(i) where the provision of a ladder on a bulkhead or in a trunk hatchway can be shown to be reasonably impracticable, by cleats or cups complying with the requirements of subparagraph (c) of this paragraph,
(ii) by ladders or steps, separate from any hatchway or sloping from deck to deck, if such ladders. or steps comply with the requirements of sub-paragraphs (b), (d) and (e) of this paragraph.
(3) Shaft tunnels shall be equipped with adequate handhold and foothold on each side.
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paragraphs: When the processes are being carried on—
(a) the places in the hold and on the decks where work is being carried on,
(b) the means of access provided in pursuance of Regulations 13 and 14 of these Regulations, and
(c) all parts of the ship to which persons employed may be required to proceed in the course of their employment,
shall be efficiently lighted, due regard being had to the safety of the ship and cargo, of all persons employed and of the navigation of other vessels and to the duly approved bye-laws or regulations of any authority having power by statute to make bye-laws or regulations subject to approval by some other authority.
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paragraphs: All fore and aft beams and thwartship beams used for hatch covering shall have suitable gear for lifting them on and off without it being necessary for any person to go upon them to adjust such gear.
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paragraphs: —(1) All hatch coverings shall be kept plainly marked to indicate the deck and hatch to which they belong and their position therein but this Regulation shall not apply in cases where all the hatch coverings of a ship are interchangeable or, in respect of marking of position, where all hatch coverings of a hatch are interchangeable.
(2) Paragraph (1) of this Regulation shall apply to fore and aft beams and to thwartship beams as it applies to hatch coverings.
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paragraphs: All fore and aft beams and thwartship beams used for hatch covering and all hatch coverings shall be maintained in good condition.
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paragraphs: Adequate hand grips shall be provided on all hatch coverings, having regard to their size and weight, unless the construction of the hatch or the hatch cove rings is of a character rendering the provision of hand grips unnecessary.
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paragraphs: Where the working space around a hatch is less than two feet wide, such provision shall be made as will enable persons employed to remove and replace in safety all fore and aft beams and thwartship beams used for hatch covering and all hatch coverings.
PART IV.
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paragraphs: —(1) All lifting machinery shall have been tested and examined by a competent person in the manner set out in the Schedule to these Regulations before being taken into use.
(2) (a) All derricks and permanent attachments, including bridle chains, to the derrick, mast and deck, used in hoisting or lowering shall be inspected once in every twelve months and be thoroughly examined once at least in every four years.
(b) All other lifting machinery shall be thoroughly examined once at least in every twelve months.
(c) For the purposes of this Regulation, thorough examination means a visual examination, supplemented if necessary by other means such as a hammer test, carried out as carefully as the conditions permit, in order to arrive at a reliable conclusion as to the safety of the parts examined and, if necessary for the purpose, parts of the machines and gear must be dismantled.
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paragraphs: —(1) No chain, ring, hook, shackle, swivel or pulley block shall be used in hoisting or lowering unless it has been tested and examined by a competent person in the manner set out in the Schedule to these Regulations.
(2) All chains, other than bridle chains attached to derricks or masts, and all rings, hooks, shackles and swivels used in hoisting or lowering shall, unless they have been subjected to such other treatment as may be prescribed, be effectually annealed under the supervision of a competent person and at the following intervals:—
(a) half inch and smaller chains, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels in general use, once at least in every six months,
(b) all other chains, rings, hooks, shackles and swivels in general use once at least in every twelve months,
save that the foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall, in their application to such gear used solely on cranes and other hoisting appliances worked by hand, have effect as if "twelve months" were substituted for "six months" in subparagraph (a) and "two years" for "twelve months" in subparagraph (b).
(3) Where the Minister is of opinion that, owing to the size, design, material or infrequency of use of any gear or class of gear to which paragraph (2) of this Regulation relates, the requirement as to annealing is not necessary for the protection of persons employed, he may by certificate in writing (which he may in his discretion revoke} exempt such gear or class of gear from the requirement subject to such conditions as may be specified in the certificate.
(4) All chains, other than bridle chains attached to derricks or masts, and all rings, hooks, shackles, swivels and pulley blocks shall be inspected by a competent person immediately before each occasion on which they are used in hoisting or lowering, unless they have been inspected within the preceding three months.
(5) All chains, rings, hooks, shackles or swivels used in hoisting or lowering which have been lengthened, altered or repaired by welding shall, before being again taken into use, be adequately tested and re-examined.
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paragraphs: —(1) No rope shall be used in hoisting or lowering unless—
(a) it is of suitable quality and free from patent defect, and