19.C Marine Fall Protection Systems.
19.C.01 On decks or work surfaces 6 ft (1.8 m) or more above the main deck or 6 ft or more above adjacent vessel decks, docks, or other hard surfaces, Railing Type A or Type B, as described in Section 19.E., or bulwarks, coamings, or other structures meeting the height and strength requirements of these railing systems must be provided except as excluded in Sections 19.C.03 and 19.C.04.
19.C.02 Deck edge toe boards not less than 3.5 in (8.8 cm) high for Type A and 2 in (5 cm) high for Type B railings must be provided when the railings are used for fall protection. Toe boards must meet the strength requirements in Section 21.F.01.f. Scuppers and/ or drainage holes may be installed as needed as long as the top edge of the toeboard is intact and the strength requirements are retained.
19.C.03 Personal fall protection systems meeting the requirements of Section 21.I may be used when railing systems are not installed.
19.C.04 Railing systems and personal fall protection systems are not considered feasible on the main deck of vessels that perform duty cycle material loading and unloading operations from barges, scows or other vessels alongside.
19.D Main Deck Perimeter Protection.
New vessels built or purchased for USACE use must meet these requirements upon delivery or prior to first use.
19.D.01 Main deck perimeter protection systems are intended to provide protection against falling overboard. Main deck perimeter protection is required on all manned vessels, except where excluded in Section 19.D.05. Unmanned vessels do not require perimeter protection, however, fall protection must be provided where the vessel configuration and operation exposes personnel to falls onto a hard surface from vertical distances greater than 6 ft (1.8 m). The design parameters for the different types of main deck railing systems listed in this Section are in Section 19.E unless otherwise noted.
- Manned vessels are vessels that operate with crews, or quartered personnel, or that have work areas that are occupied by assigned personnel during normal work activities.
- Unmanned vessels are typically those that carry cargo such as materials, supplies, equipment, or liquids, and do not have personnel on board except during loading and unloading and during short term operations such as tie-down, inspections, etc.
19.D.02 Manned vessels over 26 ft (7.9 m) in length operating in unprotected or partially protected waters (as defined in 46 CFR) must have Type B Railings provided around the deck edge, except where excluded in Section 19.D.05.
19.D.03 Manned vessels over 26 ft (7.9 m) in length operating in rivers or protected waters must have Type B or Type C Railings provided around the deck edge, except where excluded in Section 19.D.05.
19.D.04 Type D Grab rails must be provided on all manned vessels in the following instances:
- On deckhouses or other similar permanent structures more than 48 in (1.2 m) from deck edge rail systems;
- On deck houses or similar permanent structures that are within 8 ft (2.5 m) of the deck edge in areas where the deck edge rail has been omitted or may be temporarily removed in accordance with Section 19.D.05.
19.D.05 The following are main deck areas where perimeter protection may be omitted or temporarily removed:
- Deck perimeter rails may be omitted from deck work areas specifically intended for line handling, working over the side of the vessel, load handling operations and designated boarding areas. Railings in these areas may obstruct work or access and present additional hazards such as pinch points against railings. Such deck edge areas may include those for line handling, fleeting scows, mooring vessels, towing, pile driving activities, and handling or placing of construction materials and equipment pipelines, and anchors.
- Deck Perimeter rails may be omitted from main deck areas where the overall walkway width is less than 2 ft (0.6 m) between deck structures/permanent equipment and the deck edge.
- Removable perimeter rail sections may be installed in areas where activities such as working over the side of the vessel or loading operations are not normally performed. These rails must be maintained in place when vessel operations do not include activity in these areas or during periods of tie-up or inactivity.
19.D.06 When deck-edge perimeter protection is not present, standard operating procedures, AHAs, or other documents must be developed to address the hazards involved. These documents must be reviewed by all crew during initial orientation and at regular intervals afterward. The following operational procedures must be followed:
- PFD's must be worn by personnel in areas where deck perimeter protection is not present. Such areas may be used by crew to transit or access areas of the boat, but when doing so, all other requirements of this Section must be met. Areas where railings are removed must be blocked off from access by a suitable barrier, or must be clearly marked as PFD- required areas by signage, deck markings, or other means;
- Continuous sight and verbal/radio contact must be maintained between personnel in the non-protected deck perimeter areas and the vessel operator or a designated crew member who is in sight and verbal/radio contact with the operator, and who will monitor the workers in the area;
- A safety skiff or equivalent rescue vessel must be readily available throughout the duration of these activities in accordance with Section 05.K.
19.D.07 Boats with length 26 ft (7.9 m) or less must be provided with integrated combinations of two or more of the below listed items to provide continuous perimeter protection around the vessel: Cockpits; Coamings; Handholds; Toe Rails; Life Rails; Deck Rails; Stern Rails and Bow Rails. The installations must be in accordance with either ABYC Standards or ISO Standard 15085, as demonstrated by a manufacturer's certificate, label or other documentation.
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19-7. When is fall protection required where the vessel configuration and operation exposes personnel to falls?
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