U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Protecting Workers during 

Lashing Operations

The lashing of containers and other cargo aboard vessels is dangerous work. Longshore workers lift and 

maneuver heavy gear in tight spaces with low headroom and work from elevated locations. Their work is 

often performed around moving equipment, in areas with poor lighting, and during unfavorable weather 

conditions. As a result, workers are at risk of potential injury from slips, trips, and falls, being struck and/or 

crushed by equipment or falling objects, and improper handling of gear.

Marine terminal operators and stevedoring firms are responsible for 

protecting workers from injury. 

Training

Workers should be trained on how to safely perform lashing duties. 

In addition, workers should receive instruction on the proper use 

of material handling equipment and manual handling techniques to 

reduce back injuries. Instruction should address vessel conditions, 

work environments, and various types of tasks, and include an 

opportunity for workers to discuss related workplace concerns, like 

hazards they have encountered. OSHA recommends holding safety 

talks before work begins and after it has been completed to review 

safety procedures and provide workers the opportunity to report 

unsafe conditions. 

It is important that employers assess working conditions. Under 

OSHA’s Marine Terminal and Longshoring Standards, employers 

must provide: 

Safe Accessibility and Work Areas

• Safe access to vessels with gangways properly rigged and

trimmed (29 CFR 1918.22).

• Access ladders, hatch coverings and latching mechanisms

that are of appropriate size and in good repair (29 CFR 1918.24

and 1918.31).

• Traffic control patterns that keep workers at a safe distance

from motor vehicles and containers being handled by cranes or

other powered equipment (29 CFR 1917.44).

• Walking-working surfaces that are clear and dry to prevent

slips, trips, and falls (29 CFR 1918.91(b)).

• Work areas that are free

of debris, projecting nails,

strapping, and equipment

or materials not in use or

unnecessary for the work being

performed (29 CFR 1918.91(a)).

• Holds, intermediate decks,

or other compartments free

of unsafe levels of carbon

monoxide during roll-on/roll-off

operations where exhaust is

released by internal combustion

engines (29 CFR 1918.86(k)

and 1918.94).

Protective Equipment 

and Systems

• Minimum light intensity of

5 lumens in walking, working,

and climbing areas (29 CFR 1918.92(a)).

• Railings that are in good repair and spaced appropriately

(29 CFR 1918.36).

• Personal protective equipment, such as work gloves, hard

hats, fall protection, high-visibility vests, and flotation devices

appropriate for the job (29 CFR 1918, Subpart J).

• Equipment, such as inoperable semi-automatic twist locks or

turnbuckles, that is in good condition. Defective gear must

be removed from service (29 CFR 1918.62(a)(2)). See OSHA

guidance on Freeing Inoperable Semi-Automatic Twist Locks

(SATLs) in Longshoring.

Longshoring

in Marine 

Terminals Fact Sheet
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Rescue

• Prompt rescue and retrieval of workers from the water in the 

event that protective systems fail (29 CFR 1918.100(b)). 

In addition, employers must protect workers from heat illness 

where a heat hazard exists and is likely to cause death or serious 

physical harm (Occupational Safety and Health Act § 5(a)(1), 29 

USC 654(a)(1)). Employers should develop a workplace plan that 

includes acclimatization, medical monitoring, training, and heat 

alert resources. For more information, see OSHA’s Safety and 

Health Topics page on Heat. 

Workers’ Rights 

Workers have the right to: 

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm.

• Receive information and training (in a language and 

vocabulary the worker understands) about workplace 

hazards, methods to prevent them, and the OSHA 

standards that apply to their workplace.

• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace if they 

believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not 

following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all identities confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation, including 

reporting an injury or raising health and safety concerns with 

their employer or OSHA. If a worker has been retaliated against 

for using their rights, they must file a complaint with OSHA as 

soon as possible, but no later than 30 days. 

For additional information, see OSHA’s Workers page

(www.osha.gov/workers).

How to Contact OSHA 

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, 

employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful 

workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure 

these conditions for America’s workers by setting and enforcing 

standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For 

more information, visit www.osha.gov or call OSHA at 1-800-321-

OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627.

Injury Source Safety Requirements and Best Practices

(Citations to relevant OSHA standards are included below) 

Incorrect Handling 

of Materials 

• Train workers on safe lifting techniques that include: 

– Keeping loads close

– Raising and lowering objects slowly and steadily

– Making frequent trips, rather than carrying too much weight at once

– Using a partner or mechanical means to carry heavy, long, or awkward-shaped gear

– Using their legs to bear the weight and not their back

– Turning with their feet instead of twisting at the waist

– Minimizing time spent looking up

– Positioning their bodies to reduce leaning over cables or rails when hooking turnbuckles

– Carrying with two hands and distributing weight evenly

– Staging loads above knee height (off the ground) and below shoulder height

• Provide workers with appropriately sized tools or equipment to prevent overreaching or 

overextending (e.g., lashing gear that is the proper type, length, and diameter for the job).

• Work in teams of two to ensure better control of rods and turnbuckles.

• Instruct workers not to throw gear, pull chains for long distances, or exert themselves to break 

turnbuckles or loosen chains.

Slips, Trips, 

and Falls

• Keep deck surfaces and lashing bridges free of debris and equipment (e.g., clear of lashing straps, 

D-rings, chains, reefer cords, corner castings, pad eyes, pipes and fittings) (29 CFR 1918.91(a)).

• Remove water, oil, snow, ice, and grease from decks as soon as possible (20 CFR 1918.91(b)). 

Employers should utilize non-skid surfaces and supply workers with slip-resistant footwear.

• Ensure gangways are installed and maintained in accordance with 29 CFR 1918.22. 
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

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: 1-877-889-5627.

DSG FS-4182 05/2022

Injury Source Safety Requirements and Best Practices

(Citations to relevant OSHA standards are included below) 

Slips, Trips, 

and Falls (cont.)

• Train workers to identify and report unsafe holes or openings in walking and working surfaces. 

Openings must be appropriately covered, and missing, broken, or poorly fitting grates or hatch 

covers repaired or replaced to prevent injury (20 CFR 1918, Subpart D). 

• Provide and require the use of fall protection during containerized cargo operations when there 

is a fall hazard. Where fall protection is required, workers must be trained so they understand 

the use and application limits of fall protection systems, proper connection, anchoring and tie-off 

techniques, methods of use, and proper methods of equipment inspection and storage (29 CFR 

1918.85(j) and (k)(12)).

• Repair or replace missing or broken railings; standing on railings is prohibited (29 CFR 1918.85(j)).

• Maintain adequate lighting levels (5 lumens), providing supplemental lighting when necessary 

(29 CFR 1918.92).

Struck by Gear 

or Equipment

• Ensure workers wear employer-provided gloves with good grip during unlashing and stowage of 

turnbuckles (29 CFR 1918.105(a)(1)).

• Ensure the appropriate size lashing bars are used and that the bars are not left hanging unattended. 

Remove damaged lashing bars from service (29 CFR 1918.62(a)).

• Whenever possible, avoid having workers perform activities above their head. Supply workers 

with hard hats when there is the potential for objects to fall on their head from above (29 CFR 

1918.103).

• Instruct workers on the proper tension or placement of chains, binders, ratchet straps, or 

breaking bars.

• Establish safe zones and train workers to remain within those areas when working around cranes, yard 

hustler trucks, forklifts, and trailers, and when on vehicle ramps (29 CFR 1917.44, 1918.86(a) and (c)).

• Prevent items (e.g., cargo and lashing gear) from being stacked or placed in a way that would lead 

them to fall, collapse, or otherwise cause a hazard to those working in the area.