Boarding facilities for passenger carrying vessels
Purpose
Background
Legal requirements
Recommendations
Purpose
To alert owners and masters of vessels who, as part of their businesses, carry passengers on these vessels.
This safety alert should be read in conjunction with Maritime Safety Queensland’s (MSQ)1 Information Bulletin number MAR204mh4 titled Gangways and Boarding Facilities for Commercial Ships.
Background
When attempting to board a passenger ferry in September 1996, a young child drowned after she fell between the ferry and the loading pontoon.
Subsequent investigations revealed a number of incidents had occurred at various locations, and with different types of passenger vessels, where passengers had fallen through the gap between the shore/pontoon facilities and the vessels.
Workers' health and safety was also at risk because of unsatisfactory methods sometimes used to move baggage to and from vessels.
Legal requirements
Part 3 of the Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 imposes obligations on employers, self-employed persons and persons in control of workplaces to ensure the workplace health and safety of themselves and others is not affected by the way they conduct their undertakings.
Under the Act heavy penalties can be imposed for breach of an obligation. The Act applies to workplaces and workplace activities. Vessels such as ferries, water taxis and charter vessels which operate as a business are defined as a workplace and are required to comply with the obligations imposed.
Recommendations
Employers, self-employed persons and persons in control of 'workplace' vessels must ensure they have methods in place which prevent or minimise the risks to health and safety of all persons entering the workplace.
Risks to health and safety can be minimised by adopting a method that reduces the gap between the vessel and shore or pontoon facility which prevents a person or part of a person from falling through the gap. Examples of these methods are a gangplank, handrails and/or steps.
Where wheelchair-bound persons or persons with other disabilities use vessels, mechanical lifting equipment or ramps could be used to prevent or minimise risks to health and safety.
Also, mechanical equipment and the use of pallets or containers could be used to prevent or minimise risks when moving baggage to and from vessels.
Further information may be obtained by contacting any office of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Further Information
Phone: 1300 369 915
Web: http://www.whs.qld.gov.au/
Last updated July 28, 2005