Operations on shore

• Pages: 241-338

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6. Operations on shore

6.1. General provisions

6.1.1. General requirements

1. Many cargo-handling operations that are carried out

on shore are also carried out on ships. The guidance in this

part of the code applies to all such operations. Guidance that

is relevant only to operations carried out on ships is given in

Chapter 7.

2. All port operations should be carried out in accord-

ance with a safe system of work by portworkers who are ap-

propriately trained and supervised. The safe system of work

should enable a worker to stop an operation immediately

when there is a risk to safety or health.

3. All plant and equipment used in port operations

should be:

— of good design and construction;

— of adequate strength for the purpose for which it will be

used;

— of sound material and free from obvious defects;

— inspected at appropriate intervals;

— properly maintained in a safe and efficient condition.

4. Routine fire inspections should be carried out. These

should include inspections during periods when work is not

in progress, as many fires result from smouldering and can

break out several hours after their initial cause.

5. All means of escape in case of fire should be kept

free from obstruction at all times. Flammable materials

should never be kept under stairways.

Safety and health in ports

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6. There should be a clear policy on smoking. Smoking

should be prohibited throughout the port area and on ships,

except in designated areas. Smoking and no-smoking areas

should be clearly identified.

6.1.2. Access arrangements

1. Safe means of access should be provided to all places

where persons have to work.

2. Persons on foot should be separated from vehicles,

whenever this is practicable.

3. Pedestrian walkways should not be used for other

purposes.

4. Where access is needed through areas from which

pedestrians are excluded, arrangements should be made for

them to travel in a suitable vehicle. Access by crew, pilots

and other visitors to ships at a container terminal could be

one example. Persons on ships should be informed, by

means of a gangway notice or otherwise, how to summon

the transport.

5. Mobile access equipment, such as mobile elevating

work platforms (MEWPs or “cherry pickers”) should gen-

erally be used in preference to portable ladders. However,

such equipment should always be used in accordance with

the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly those relating

to the locking or scotching wheels and the use of outriggers.

6. When it is necessary to use a portable ladder (fig-

ure 73):

— the top of the ladder should rise at least 1 m above the

landing place or the highest point to be reached by a per-

son using the ladder, unless other adequate handholds

are provided;

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Figure 73. Use of portable ladders

A. Correct angle of use. B. Rubber feet. C. Splayed stiles at foot of ladder. D. Double step

angle piece. E. Safety feet. F. Stabilizing legs at foot of ladder. G. Angle locating piece at

top of ladder. H. Splayed stiles that can be worked through at top of ladder.