Washington Administrative Code › Title 296 - Labor and Industries, Department of › Chapter 296-304 - Safety standards for ship repairing, shipbuilding and shipbreaking › Section 296-304-05007 - Access to vessels

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
Barge
An unpowered, flat bottom, shallow draft
				vessel including scows, carfloats and lighters, but not ship-shaped or
				deep-draft barges.
River towboat.
A shallow draft, low free board,
				self-propelled vessel designed to tow river barges by pushing ahead.
(1) Access to vessels afloat. You must not
			 permit employees to board or leave any vessel, except a barge or river towboat,
			 until the following requirements have been met:
(a) Whenever practicable, a gangway of not
			 less than 20 inches walking surface, of adequate strength, maintained in safe
			 repair and safely secured must be used. If a gangway is not practicable, a
			 substantial straight ladder, extending at least 36 inches above the upper
			 landing surface and adequately secured against shifting or slipping must be
			 provided. When conditions are such that neither a gangway nor a straight ladder
			 can be used, a Jacob's ladder meeting the requirements of (4)(a) and (b) of
			 this section may be used.
(b) Each
			 side of such gangway, and the turntable if used, must have a railing with a
			 minimum height of approximately 33 inches measured perpendicularly from rail to
			 walking surface at the stanchion, with a midrail. Rails must be of wood, pipe,
			 chain, wire or rope and shall be kept taut at all times.
(c) Gangways on vessels inspected and
			 certificated by the U.S. Coast Guard are deemed to meet the foregoing
			 requirements, except in cases where the vessel's regular gangway is not being
			 used.
(d) The gangway must be kept
			 properly trimmed at all times.
(e)
			 When a fixed tread accommodation ladder is used, and the angle is low enough to
			 require employees to walk on the edge of the treads, cleated duckboards must be
			 laid over and secured to the ladder.
(f) When the lower end of a gangway overhangs
			 the water between the ship and the dock in such a manner that there is danger
			 of employees falling between the ship and the dock, a net or other suitable
			 protection must be rigged at the foot of the gangway in such a manner as to
			 prevent employees from falling from the end of the gangway.
(g) If the foot of the gangway is more than
			 one foot away from the edge of the apron, the space between them must be
			 bridged by a firm walkway equipped with railings, with a minimum height of
			 approximately 33 inches with mid-rails on both sides.
(h) Supporting bridles must be kept clear so
			 as to permit unobstructed passage for employees using the gangway.
(i) When the upper end of the means of access
			 rests on or flush with the top of the bulwark, substantial steps properly
			 secured and equipped with at least one substantial handrail approximately 33
			 inches in height must be provided between the top of the bulwark and the
			 deck.
(j) Obstructions must not be
			 laid on or across the gangway.
(k)
			 The means of access must be adequately illuminated for its full length.
(l) Unless the construction of the
			 vessel makes it impossible, the means of access must be located so that drafts
			 of cargo do not pass over it. In any event loads must not be passed over the
			 means of access while employees are on it.