Some of the fall prevention ideas presented here have never been successfully implemented, but their inclusion in this report is intended to enlighten the reader to a wide range of fall prevention ideas for potential inclusion in a company fall overboard prevention program. Painting the perimeter of barges and towing vessels a white or yellow color aids in the identification of these hazardous areas, particularly in poor lighting situations.
Some companies paint deck tripping hazards such as buttons, timberheads, kevels, and hatch covers.
Others paint a simple vertical stripe on coamings as an indicator of hatch cover locations. Such markings can be an aid in identifying tripping hazards during periods of darkness or poor visibility. Installing chains on the main decks of towing vessels reduces exposure to falling overboard when walking or working on a main deck. Permanently applied handrails for stairways and upper decks also protect employees from falling from those levels. Indeed, railings on barges, under certain operating scenarios, could introduce significant hazards into the workplace.