Accommodation Ladder Maintenance

August 2008

It is a requirement under the ISM Code that ship operators identify within the Safety Management System (SMS) critical items of a vessel’s equipment the sudden failure of which could lead to possible hazardous situations and put in place suitable measures to minimise the possibility of this occuring.  

Accommodation ladders are one such piece of critical equipement; too often their maintenance and inspection is overlooked and not included in a planned maintenance system onboard. This SMS requirement is quite separate from any obligation, Flag State or local, to provide a safe means of access and egress to or from a vessel. 

Several incidents have occurred where there was a potential to cause either serious injury or a fatality due to lack of maintenance or inspection and, in particular, a lack of maintenance, inspection and greasing of the turntable arrangement at deck level and close inspection of the condition of the accommodation ladder fall wires. Both of these areas need particular attention and, in the case of the fall wires, a discard criteria should be specified so that they are replaced before they become unfit for purpose. Fall wires should also be regularly greased with an appropriate wire dressing product.  

In addition, the structure should be checked to ensure it is structurally sound and inspected for defective steps, damaged stantions, stantion supports and railings, and the proper guarding of the top and lower platform for personnel. It must be ensured that all grease points are judiciously greased and the bottom platform roller is turning freely. Accommodation ladder safety nets are also to be subject to regular inspection to ensure they are not suffering the effects of actinic degredation, been damaged or subject to cleaning chemical, paint or grease impregnation.