Access and Guarding of Work Surfaces » Guarding of Deck Openings and Edges
Figure 1: Properly guarded manhole
Figure 1: Properly guarded manhole.

Serious, and even fatal, injuries in the shipyard may be caused by falls due to lack of appropriate guarding of the edges of work or walkway surfaces.  



Guarding of Deck Openings and Edges
Figure 2: Properly guarded manhole
Figure 2: Properly guarded manhole.

Figure 3: Open hatch with 24 inch high coaming
Figure 3: Open hatch with 24 inch high coaming.

Figure 4: Riggers on elevated work surface protected by guard rails
Figure 4: Riggers on elevated work surface protected by guard rails.

Figure 5: Improper practice - Worker above edge of water must use PFD
Figure 5: Improper practice - Worker above edge of water must be protected by guardrails.

Figure 6: Improper practice - Removed grating causes slip and fall hazards
Figure 6: Improper practice - Removed grating causes slip and fall hazards.

Potential Hazards:
  • Injury due to stepping into or falling through an opening
  • Injury due to falling off decks, gratings, walkways, catwalks, or other surfaces
     
Requirements and Example Solutions:

Flush Manholes and Other Small Openings
  • Flush manholes and other small openings must be covered or provided with a 30-inch-high guard. [29 CFR 1915.73(b)]
Open Hatches
  • Open hatches must be protected by coamings of at least 24-inches-high or adequately guarded. [29 CFR 1915.73(c)]
Decks and Other Flat Surfaces
  • Unguarded edges more than 5 feet above solid surfaces require guardrails. [29 CFR 1915.73(d)]
Open Bilges
  • When bilges, plates, or flooring are removed, guardrails or adequate flooring must be provided. [29 CFR 1915.73(f)]
  • Unguarded edges above water require guardrails, or workers must wear personal flotation devices (PFDs). [29 CFR 1915.73(e)]
Gratings, Walkways and Catwalks
  • Gratings, walkways, and catwalks, from which sections or ladders have been removed, must be barricaded with adequate guardrails. [29 CFR 1915.73(g)]
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