Annex O - Protection of Personnel
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - MCA Publications - Yacht Code - January 2019 Edition - Common Annexes - Annex O - Protection of Personnel

Annex O - Protection of Personnel

O1 - Safe Work Aloft, Over-side, and on the Bowsprit of Sailing Vessels

(1) When access to the rig, bowsprit, or over-side working is required, provision shall be made to enable people to work safely, in accordance with recognised national or international standards.

(2) The arrangements provided for accessing rigging shall be based on established safe working practices for the type of vessel. The arrangements may include but not be limited to:

  • (a) safety nets below the bowsprit;

  • (b) safety grab rails or jackstays (metal or wire) fixed along the bowsprit to act as handholds and strong points for safety harnesses;

  • (c) mandatory use of safety harnesses aloft, over-side, and for work on the bowsprit;

  • (d) sufficient footropes and horses in wire (or rope) permanently rigged to enable seafarers to stand on them whilst working out on the yards or on the bowsprit;

  • (e) safety jackstays (metal or wire) fixed along the top of the yards, to provide handholds and act as strong points for safety harnesses;

  • (f) means of safely climbing aloft, such as:

    • (i) fixed metal steps or ladders attached to the mast; or

    • (ii) traditional ratlines (rope) or, rattling bars (wood/steel), fixed across the shrouds to form a permanent ladder.

(3) Safe means of external access to all parts of the vessel shall be made available where crew are expected to work through Over-side Working Systems in accordance with Annex B.

(4) Equipment manufacturers of Over-side Working Systems and ship builder instructions and guidance on their installation, use, maintenance, inspection and testing shall be followed at all times.

(5) The mast and other spaces requiring access via ladders shall include continuous fall protection measures to protect personnel when ascending or descending ladders.

(6) New vessels shall have “External Access Plans” showing locations and loads for all elements of the Over-side Working Systems in accordance with Annex B approved by a Recognised Organisation.

O2 - Personal Clothing

(1) It shall be the responsibility of the Company/Master to advise that the following requirements for items of personal clothing shall be met:

  • (a) Each person onboard a vessel shall have protective clothing appropriate to the prevailing air and sea temperatures.

  • (b) Each person onboard a vessel shall have footwear having non-slip soles, to be worn onboard.

O3 - Lifts

(1) Personnel lift installations shall be appropriately designed and constructed, installed and tested by a competent person.

(2) Designs shall be submitted at an early stage of construction. Recognised international standards such as BS EN 81 shall be considered but the following gives a minimum standard that shall be provided:

  • (a) For vessels of 500 GT and above structural fire protection requires lift shaft (a)within an “A” class division as per section 14B.2.6. Where the lift shaft is fitted within a stairway enclosure there is no need for “A” class divisions between the lift and the staircase;

  • (b) Construction and installation for marine use shall be supported by a certificate from a Recognised Organisation or manufacturer and include a relevant load test;

  • (c) Lift shall comprise an enclosed capsule;

  • (d) A suitable means of escape from the capsule and lift shaft shall be provided;

  • (e) Mains and emergency power to be provided, where necessary to comply with item (d);

  • (f) Emergency lighting to be provided;

  • (g) An internal alarm and telephone to be provided;

  • (h) Normal operation shall ensure lift only stops at each deck; and

  • (i) “Not to be used in case of fire” sign shall be posted within.

(3) Reference standards include:

  • (a) BS EN 81 series – Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts

  • (b) BS 5655 series – Lifts and service lifts

O4 - Man-riding cranes

Design

(1) In order for deck cranes or other lifting appliances, other than those covered by Part A Chapter 13 & Part B Chapter 7, to be man-riding as per Chapter 2 definitions, they shall be certified as such through compliance with a recognised national or international standard to the satisfaction of the Administration.

Testing and Maintenance

(2) Annual and 5 Yearly Testing and maintenance of man-riding cranes shall be in accordance with original manufactures instructions

Operations

(3) Operations of the man-riding cranes and other lifting appliances shall:

  • (a) be in accordance with the original equipment manufacturer’s operating instructions

  • (b) be within any restrictions set by the original equipment manufacturer or Recognised Organisation approving the equipment

  • (c) Operating instructions shall be posted locally to any controls along with any restrictions as per O.4(3)(b).

Parent topic: Common Annexes
Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.