The Merchant Shipping (Safe Movement on Board Ship) Regulations 1988

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations give effect in part to the Merchant Shipping (Minimum Standards) Convention 1976 (International Labour Organisation Convention 147) (Cmnd 7163), laid before Parliament on 24 April 1978 and ratified by the United Kingdom on 28 November 1980 which is in force internationally and requires provisions to be made substantially equivalent to those of (amongst other Conventions) the Prevention of Accidents (Seafarers) Convention 1970 (International Labour Organisation Convention 134, Article 4) (Cmnd 4800) which is in force but has not been ratified by the United Kingdom. The Regulations with other provisions will allow ratification by the UK of the Convention and a recommendation concerning occupational safety and health in dock work (International Labour Organisation Convention 152) (Cmnd 8118) laid before Parliament in December 1980 and in force internationally. These Regulations will with others also allow the repeal of the Docks Regulations 1934 (S.R. & O. 1934 No. 279) in respect of those provisions relating to dock operations by ship’s crews.

The Regulations require that safe means of access is maintained to any place on the ship where a person may be expected to be (regulation 4), that transit areas are kept free from materials or substances likely to cause a person to slip or fall (regulation 5), that adequate lighting is provided (regulations 6) and standard safety signs used (regulation 7), that guard rails are provided where appropriate (regulation 8), that ladders are soundly constructed (regulation 9), and vehicle movements carried out safely (regulation 10). Regulation 11 requires that in a new ship ladders to ship’s holds comply with the requirements specified in Chapter 9 of the Code of Safe Working Practices.

In the case of ships not registered in the United Kingdom the Regulations require that ships which do not conform to the standards of health and safety required by the Regulations may be detained.

The British Standards Institution Standard mentioned in regulation 7 is obtainable from the British Standards Institution, 2 Park Road, London W1. Chapter 9 of the Code of Safe Working Practices, referred to in regulations 4(2) and 11, is set out in Merchant Shipping Notice No. M1344. Merchant Shipping Notices are obtainable from the Department of Transport Marine Library, Sunley House, 90 High Holborn, London WC1 and from any Department of Transport Marine Office. The command papers containing ILO Conventions 134 and 147, Cmnd 4800 and Cmnd 7163, are no longer in print but photocopies of them may be obtained through Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. Copies of ILO Conventions may also be obtained from the UK Office of the I.L.O., 96/98 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4YL.