201635 Less than adequate safety indicators for cargo hold ladders

Edited from the UK P&I Club Bulletin 1076 - 01/16

Recently, a number of cases have come to light where persons have been seriously injured falling from cargo hold access ladders. It would appear that the victims involved in these accidents may have let go of the ladder prematurely, having mistaken the top of the ‘lower stool’ for the tank top at the bottom of the hold (see diagram below). In many large vessels, the distance between the lower stool and the tank top can be appreciable.

Lessons learned
-Warning posters at the entrance to the holds may help increase awareness of this hazard.
-Safety notifications to external parties should include a brief to stevedores on the ladder markings for safe access.
-Ladders and stools should have safety indications for the users; for example, a clear marking about four metres above the tank top should indicate the situation. Additionally, another marking about 1.8 metres from the tank top should indicate the distance remaining.