Marine Terminal Fall Protection for Personnel 

Platforms 

In marine terminals, personnel platforms attached to the container spreader of a container 

handling gantry crane are commonly used to transport workers, equipment and tools to and from 

container ships. The longshoremen then perform various tasks onboard the ship, such as 

disconnecting the twistlocks that hold cargo containers together, attaching and removing lashing 

equipment that secure the stacks of containers on the ship, and handling other problems that may 

arise. During the transport of longshoremen to and from container ships, the hazard of falling is 

a major concern for employers, ship owners, and the longshoremen. 

General Precautions 

Employers are required to ensure that 

employees use a personal fall protection 

system while working on top of a vessel’s 

containers (see 29 CFR 1918.85(j)). 

However, employers are not required to 

ensure that employees use the personal fall 

protection system while riding in a personnel 

platform. However, OSHA standards 29 CFR 

1917.45(j) and 1918.66(c) provide safety 

requirements and procedures for longshoring 

employees who are being hoisted. 

Personnel Platform Recommendations

To better protect employees, OSHA 

recommends that employers and employees 

implement the following safety precautions to 

ensure the safety of workers being transported 

on personnel platforms: 

9 Install anchorage points in personnel platforms 

and ensure that all workers who are being 

hoisted use a personal fall protection system 

that meets the requirements of 29 CFR 

1918.85(k)(6).

9 Place anchorage points away from the entry 

point of the platform and ensure that the 

anchorage point does not interfere with the 

movement of personnel on the platform while 

the lift is in progress.

Personnel platform on 

crane spreader bar 
9 Store tools and equipment safely so that they 

do not create a tripping or projectile hazard 

(see 29 CFR 1917.11(a) and 1918.91(a)). 

9 Require foremen and gang bosses to use the 

same fall protection methods as other 

employees. 

9 Coordinate and discuss the lift operation, the 

proper use of personal fall protection systems, 

and other safety issues with all personnel 

involved including: 

Crane operator(s); 

Person(s) being lifted; 

Person in charge of the operation and; 

Signal person(s). 

Lifts should be coordinated with pre-lift 

meetings or pre-shift gang meetings. Crane 

operators should be included in the meeting by 

radio if they are already in the crane. 

Personnel platform with half gate 

Access Openings 

OSHA standards require that personnel platforms 

be equipped with an access opening fitted with a 

means of closure (see 29 CFR 1917.45(j)(8)). 

OSHA recommends that employers use personnel 

platforms equipped with a full gate system 

meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 

1917.45(j)(1)(iii)(A). The gate should swing 

inward, be self-closing, and use a positive locking 

mechanism. If a chain closure is used, OSHA 

recommends that employers instruct their 

employees to stand away from the opening while 

being hoisted. 

 

 

 

 

 

Personnel platform with locking gate

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or 

standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of 

compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to title 29 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number (877) 889-5627.