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

Working on commercial fishing vessels presents unique fall hazards to workers. Both OSHA and the U.S. Coast Guard have regulations that apply to activities in the fishing industry. These 

activities include the maintenance, cleaning, repair, alteration, or overhaul of vessels occurring at sea, 

dockside, or in a shipyard. Each year, dozens of fishermen are injured or killed due to falls on vessels while 

performing these activities.

Generally, anything relating to the harvesting of fish or the normal operation of a vessel is governed by the U.S. Coast Guard. 

However, OSHA regulates activities that are covered under the 

general industry (29 CFR Part 1910) and shipyard employment (29 

CFR Part 1915) standards within three nautical miles of the coast 

line, except for the Gulf coast of Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico, 

where the territorial waters extend for approximately nine nautical 

miles. States with OSHA-approved State Plans may also regulate 

shore-side activities related to the fishing industry. For a detailed 

discussion on OSHA regulations that apply during specific work 

activities, see Appendices A and B of OSHA Directive, CPL 02-01-

047, February 22, 2010.

Work Practices on Vessels that Commonly 

Require Fall Protection 

• Painting outside vessel rails 

• Welding on the outside of a vessel’s hull 

• Work on gantries or masts 

• Work on fishing gear (stacks of pots) 

Fall Protection and Prevention Methods

Fall protection is required when working more than 5 feet above a 

solid surface or any distance above water (See 29 CFR 1915.71(j) 

and 1915.77(c)). For example, when working on scaffolding, staging, runways, or working platforms that are at a height of five feet 

or more, edges must be guarded with handrails, chains, or ropes. 

These must be between 42 to 45 inches high and have a midrail 

located halfway between the upper rail and the working surface 

(29 CFR 1915.71(j)(1)). Where necessary to prevent objects from 

falling on workers below, a standard 4-inch toeboard must also 

be provided (29 CFR 1915.71(j)(5)). When handrails, chains, and 

ropes cannot be used, a fall restraint or fall arrest system must be 

used. Safety belts and body belts are not allowed to be used as 

part of a fall arrest system (29 CFR 1915.159).

Fall Restraint System—A fall restraint system is recommended when guardrails or personal lift devices cannot be used. 

When properly used, a fall restraint system prevents the worker 

from falling off an edge. Lanyards must be of fixed length to prevent the worker from reaching an area where they could fall.

Fall Arrest System—When a fall restraint system cannot be 

installed, a fall arrest system must be used (29 CFR 1915.71(j)(3) 

and 1915.77(c)). A fall arrest system does not prevent a fall, but 

instead it is designed to catch the worker with minimal injury. 

Fixed length

lanyard

“Fall restraint”

Fall

hazard

Anchor

point

Safe Fall Protection Practices

• Use proper equipment, not body belts or ropes around the 

waist.

• Identify all fall hazards and, where possible, use handrails, 

chains, and ropes to protect against hazards such as 

unprotected deck openings/edges and stairwells to eliminate 

fall hazards.

• Establish a proper gangway or ladder to board vessels.

• Practice good housekeeping. Keep equipment such as cords 

and fishing lines out of walkways and work areas.

• Do not use cranes to hoist workers unless the crane is 

specifically approved for lifting personnel.

Commercial 

Fall Protection Fishing

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

The components of a fall arrest system are as follows:

• Connecting means (e.g., snap hooks)

• Shock-absorbing lanyard, self-retracting lanyards and lifelines

• Full body harness

• Anchor point (e.g., fixed railing, ship’s mast) capable of 

supporting at least 5,000 lbs. per worker.

Safe Fall Protection Practices

• Use proper equipment, not body belts or ropes around the 

waist.

• Identify all fall hazards and, where possible, use handrails, 

chains, and ropes to protect against hazards such as 

unprotected deck openings/edges and stairwells to eliminate 

fall hazards.

• Establish a proper gangway or ladder to board vessels.

• Practice good housekeeping. Keep equipment such as cords 

and fishing lines out of walkways and work areas.

• Do not use cranes to hoist workers unless the crane is 

specifically approved for lifting personnel.

Proper Care and Use of Fall Protection 

Equipment

• Inspect fall protection equipment for damage or wear before 

and after each use. If any damage is found, replace the 

damaged equipment.

• When tying off, ensure that the structure used for support can 

hold a minimum load of 5,000 lbs.

• Be sure to rig fall arrest equipment so that workers cannot fall 

more than 6 feet or contact the surface below.

Methods for Protecting Workers from Fall 

Hazards

Open Hatches are hazardous when not protected. Hatches 

that are not already protected by coamings at a height of 24 inches, 

must be guarded (e.g., handrails) at a height of 36 to 42 inches, 

unless the work being done (e.g., filling fish storage holds) prevents 

this (29 CFR 19 15.73(c)).

Edges of decks, platforms, flats, scaffolding, staging, runways, 

and similar flat surfaces that are more than 5 feet above a solid 

surface must be guarded with guardrails that meet the requirements of 29 CFR 1915.71(j)(1) and (2), unless the work being 

done (e.g., deploying or stacking crab pots) or physical conditions 

prevent this (29 CFR 1915.73(d)).

Boarding a Vessel from the Dock—Use a gangway 

with at least 20 inches of walking surface. It must be able to carry 

the anticipated load and be safely maintained and secured. If the 

use of a gangway is not possible, a straight ladder, extending at 

least 36 inches above the upper landing surface and secured to 

prevent shifting or slipping, must be used. When neither a gangway nor a straight ladder can be used, a Jacob’s ladder consisting 

of double rung or flat tread may be used (29 CFR 1915.74(a)(1)).

This fact sheet is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. It contains recommendations as well as descriptions of mandatory safety 

and health standards. The recommendations are advisory in nature, informational in content, and are intended to assist employers in providing a safe and 

healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with safety and health standards and regulations promulgated by 

OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved State Plan. In addition, the Act’s General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1), requires employers to provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm. 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.

For assistance, contact us. We can help. It’s confidential.

When Using Ladders

• Secure and stabilize all ladders before climbing them.

• Never stand on the top two rungs/steps of a portable ladder.

• Face the ladder when climbing and always grasp it with at 

least one hand.

• Maintain ladders free of oil, grease and other slipping 

hazards.