Means of Safe Access

Question 1

Basic Requirements for Means of Safe Access?

Answer 1

Properly rigged, secured, deployed and safe to use
Adjusted as necessary
Adequately illuminated
Made of sound material and adequate strength
Lifebuoy with light and line should be nearby

Question 2

Which circular could you refer to for more detailed information on Means of Safe Access?

Answer 2

MSC Circular 1331

Question 3

What sources of information are there for means of Safe Access?

Answer 3

MGN 533
COSWP Chapter 22
The Merchant Shipping (Means of Access) Regulations 1988 (but this is basically all repeated in MGN 533)

Question 4

Accommodation Ladders - applicable legislation?

Answer 4

• The Merchant Shipping (Means of Access) Regulations 1988
• The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment) Regulations 2006
• The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Provision and Use of Work Equipment) Regulations 2006

Question 5

Accommodation Ladders - maintenance

Answer 5

Annual surveys - steps, pivots, platforms, rollers, stanchions, lugs, etc

Wire change every 5 years.

Load Tested to Maximum Operational Load every 5 years

Question 6

What is the Maximum Operational Load?

Answer 6

The highest dynamic load that the gangway or accommodation ladder can be reasonably expected to withstand, accounting for maximum persons using it at any one time

Question 7

If the Maximum Operational Load is not known, what values can we use?

Answer 7

735 Newtons per step (Accom. Ladders)
4000 Newtons/metre squared (Gangways)