The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency has published a Marine Guidance Note – MGN 578 – about the use of equipment while undertaking work on commercial yachts, small commercial vessels and loadline vessels.
The aim of Marine Guidance Note MGN 578 is to provide guidance on the use of “rail and trolley” and similar systems while conducting overside work on yachts and other vessels. The key points are the following:
– To ensure that new systems comply with the current BS/EN Standards,
– To ensure that existing systems have been checked to an equivalent standard,
– To ensure maintenance is carried out to the manufacturer’s advice.
In addition, Annex 1 outlines the following Regulations which are relevant to overside working:
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) Regulations
1997 (S.I. 1997/2962);
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Provisions
and Use of Work Equipment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2006/2183);
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Lifting
Operations and Lifting Equipment) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2006/2184)
The Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Health and Safety at Work) (Work at
Height) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/332).
Finally, Annex 2 gives details of the testing and operating procedures, while Annex 3 contains the requirements for single person systems.
Click to read the new Marine Guidance Note: MGN 578