Safety in container lashing and working on container tops

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 will apply to both these activities, when carried out by stevedores or other shore based workers.

Lashing/unlashing containers

Stevedoring companies should:

• Assess the safety of lashing positions of all visiting ships that carry containers
• If lashing positions do not provide adaquate protection against falls, refuse to get involved in lashing/unlashing
• Contact MCA who may wish to take action to protect the ships crew

Container top working

The basic elements of any safe system of work will include:

• Good planning, avoiding the need to work at height or near open edges as far as possible
• Use of a container safety platform or torpedo wherever possible
• Use of work restraint where a safety platform cannot be used
• Only use fall arrest if there is no other way work can be done safely.

Guidance is available in:

• the International Labour Organisation Code of Practice ‘Safety in Docks’
• ICHCA
  • Safety Pamphlet No 8 ‘Safe working on container ships’
  • Safety Pamphlet No 22 ‘Suspension trauma’
  • Research Report No 04 ‘Container top safety, lashing and other related matters’