Bulletin No.: 02/1995

Date (Y-M-D): 1995-01-09

Subject: Falls and Fall Protection

Every year in Canada the Transportation Safety Board receives many reports of seafarers and longshore workers who are injured by falls.

A slip or fall can cause severe injury. Problems like pulled backs, broken arms and concussions are the most common injuries reported to the Board. Falls also can cause back injuries which can incapacitate an employee for months at a time. When a worker falls from a height, even more severe injuries are possible including death.

The ship board environment has many factors that combine to make a fall onboard much more likely than when performing similar activities ashore. These factors include walking surfaces made of smooth materials like wood, fiberglass or steel; the constant movement of the ship; as well as the constant presence of water. Ships often have narrow elevated walkways in areas like engine rooms, and on cargo handling equipment.

Shipowners, masters and crews can help to reduce these accidents by ensuring that walking surfaces are coated with non-slip materials wherever practical. Oil, grease, or fish products that are spilled on deck should be cleaned up immediately. When ships are designed and modified, walkways should be planned to assist safe passage. Guardrails and hand rails should be inspected regularly and maintained in serviceable condition. Care should be taken to ensure that guardrails, or hand holds are provided wherever there is a likelihood of a fall. The Marine Occupational Safety and Heath Regulations require:

10.9

1. Where a person, other than an employee who is installing or removing a fall-protection system in accordance with the instructions referred to in subsection (5), works from
   1. an unguarded structure that is
      1. more than 2.4 m above the nearest permanent safe level,
      2. above any moving parts of machinery or any other surface or thing that could cause injury to an employee on contact, or
      3. above an open hold,
   2. a temporary structure that is more than 3 m above a permanent safe level, or
   3. a ladder at a height of more than 2.4 m above the nearest permanent safe level where, because of the nature of the work, that person can use only one hand to hold onto the ladder, the employer shall provide a fall-protection system

Seafarers should use footwear that is intended to resist slippage. The old adage "one hand for yourself and one hand for the ship" is based on the very real need to use handholds when using ladders. When work must be performed aloft the workers should take advantage of safety belts or other fall protection devices. Where ever possible items like tool boxes should be raised or lowered by a rope rather than being carried up and down ladders.

Workers should be sure of their balance before attempting to lift objects, particularly when the ship is underway. An unexpected movement of the ship may result in a slip of the foot, causing a back injury or a pulled leg muscle. Consideration should be given to having more than one person lifting, or using some sort of assist device, (such as a hand cart), particularly where the ship is moving. The Safe Working Practices Regulations require:

90.

1. No person shall (a) manually lift or carry, or (b) require any other person to manually lift or carry a weight that is likely to jeopardize the health or safety of any person.
2. No person shall handle, except by mechanical means, any material or object, the shape, size, toxicity or other characteristic of which is likely to jeopardize his health or safety.

The Marine Occupational Safety and Heath Regulations require:

12.43 Where an employee is required to manually lift or carry a load in excess of 10 kg, the employee shall be instructed and trained by the employer

1. in a safe method of lifting and carrying the load; and
2. in a work procedure appropriate to the conditions of the work place and the employee's physical condition.

Workers who fall into the water are often not rescued before they succumb to cold water temperature. Special work clothing is available that provides thermal protection for workers who may accidentally fall into the water. Such clothing, which is required to be carried in large fishing vessels, is particularly important and should be encouraged throughout the marine industry.

Again the Safe Working Practices Regulations require that:

74. Every person shall wear a buoyancy aid that is not dependent upon manual control to produce its buoyancy when

1. required to work over water; or
2. transferring between a ship and a tow.

75. Except as provided in section 74, every person shall wear a life jacket

1. when crossing between a ship and the shore during the berthing or docking of the ship; and
2. when crossing between one ship and another ship, where one or both of the ships are not moored.

Workers who are exposed to weather or work conditions that make falling into the water likely should consider wearing flotation suits, PFD's, Small Vessel Life jackets or other flotation devices. When selecting this equipment consideration should be given to the fact that PFD's are primarily intended for recreational use, and designed to support a person who is wearing a bathing suit or light clothing. The approximately 6.8 Kg (15 lb.) of flotation provided may be insufficient when the worker is wearing heavy clothing, work boots or a tool belt.

Falls and slips often occur suddenly, without warning, and can cause permanent injuries. The costs of falls are borne by everyone in the form of lost time, repatriation expenses, and the social impact on families and associates. By keeping on your guard, you help avoid the possibility that you will become a victim.

To add or change your address, contact us at: marinesafety@tc.gc.ca

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