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Fall Protection & Fall Arrest Systems for Ship, Barge & Maritime Applications

The effects of ice, rain, and snow, combined with the rocking motions due to waves and currents increase the slip, trip, and fall hazards onboard ships and barges.  Falling into open cargo holds or overboard can have deadly consequences including hypothermia, suffocation, or drowning.    Whether your application is new fabrication, repair, or day-to-day operation of a ship or barge, keeping your contractors and employees safe requires a comprehensive fall prevention strategy, which includes the proper mix of fall protection equipment, personnel training, and partnering with a fall protection company that appreciates the unique nature of the potential fall hazards associated with ship and barge industry.

We are a complete turnkey provider of fall protection systems designed for the ship and barge industry and have years of design and installation experience in this market sector.  Contact us for expert assistance with your fall arrest, fall restraint and fall protection safety requirements.

Fall Protection Solutions

Design Considerations

Ship and Barge Fall Protection Design Considerations For dockside and mooring area installations, fall protection systems must be engineered and installed in a manner that will not interfere with conveyors, cranes, and other loading equipment.  Because ship and barge applications usually involve working at heights and on narrow walkways or foot supports slip resistant treads and gratings are typically specified to minimize the effects of presented by water, snow, and ice.  Ship and barge fall protection systems including access platforms, gangways, rigid beam trolleys, horizontal lifelines, and single point anchor systems are fabricated from corrosion resistant materials suitable for use in the presence of water and salt.  Special care must also be taken to consider confined space hazards as well as descent and rescue options for personnel working in close proximity to open cargo holds. Our years of experience in the barge and ship industry will help us implement a turnkey fall protection system that keeps your employees safe and your facility and vessels in compliance with all OSHA regulations.

OSHA Regulations

  • Personal Fall Arrest Systems
    • 1926.502(d) 'Personal fall arrest systems.' Personal fall arrest systems and their use shall comply with the provisions set forth below. Effective January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system. Note: The use of a body belt in a positioning device system is acceptable and is regulated under paragraph (e) of this section.
    • 1926.502(d)(16) Personal fall arrest systems, when stopping a fall, shall:
    • 1926.502(d)(16)(i) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 900 pounds (4 kN) when used with a body belt;
    • 1926.502(d)(16)(ii) limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds (8 kN) when used with a body harness;
    • 1926.502(d)(16)(iii) be rigged such that an employee can neither free fall more than 6 feet (1.8 m), nor contact any lower level;
    • 1926.502(d)(16)(iv) bring an employee to a complete stop and limit maximum deceleration distance an employee travels to 3.5 feet (1.07 m); and,
    • 1926.502(d)(16)(v) have sufficient strength to withstand twice the potential impact energy of an employee free falling a distance of 6 feet (1.8 m), or the free fall distance permitted by the system, whichever is less.

Talk to a fall protection specialist

Tell us about your fall protection needs, and we’ll configure a system that rises to your challenges.