Acts Online
GT Shield

Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)

Regulations

Maritime Occupational Safety Regulations, 1994

Chapter II : Safety provisions for staff on board ship, appliances and equipment

15. Use of access equipment

 

The employer shall ensure that, except in an emergency, access equipment referred to in regulation 14 is always used between a secured vessel and any quay, pontoon or similar structure or another vessel alongside to which that vessel is secured, and that—

(1) the access equipment is placed in position promptly after the vessel has been so secured and remains in position while the vessel is so secured;
(2) the access equipment which is used—
(i) is properly constructed, of adequate strength, properly rigged, secured, deployed, and safe to use; and
(ii) is so adjusted from time to time as to maintain safety of access;
(3) the access equipment and immediate approaches thereto are adequately illuminated;
(4) when access is necessary between a vessel and the shore and that vessel is not secured alongside, access equipment is provided to ensure safe access;
(5) a portable ladder is used as access equipment only where no other safe means of access is practicable;
(6) a rope ladder is used as access equipment only between a vessel with high freeboard and a vessel with low freeboard or between a vessel and a boat where no other safe means of access is practicable;
(7) a life-buoy with a self-activating light and a separate safety line attached to a quoit or a similar device is provided ready for use at the point of access to a vessel; and
(8) an adequate number of safety nets are rigged to safeguard the full length of a gangway or accommodation ladder in use.