Marine Order 32 (Cargo handling equipment) 2016

A landing platform must comply with this Schedule and be spaced not more than 6 m apart vertically on vertical or inclined ladders.

A vertical ladder must be fitted so that:

the upper end of each section of ladder extends at least 1 m above, and provides access to, a platform displaced to the side of the ladder; or

there are hand grips in line with the ladder rungs and at the same spacing, or a pair of vertical hand grips in line with the ladder stiles.

There must be a landing platform in accordance with subclause (1) if there is a change in slope or a change in alignment of adjacent sections of a permanent ladder, other than in the lowest 6 m of the cargo space or where a section of a ladder terminates at a working deck (ie a deck in a space where cargo is designed to be stowed or handled) or bottom of the space.

A landing platform must:

be at least 750 mm by 750 mm:

measured in the horizontal plane, clear of ladders and obstructions, such as the opening arrangement of any door or hatch; and

that must be increased if a door opening onto a platform would unduly restrict the available space; and

have a surface of a non-slip construction; and

be fitted with a rigid handrail 1 m above the platform surface and an intermediate rail about midway between the top rail and the platform on each side, other than where there is a ladder; and

be fitted with a toe board at least 100 mm above the walking surface around the periphery of the platform, other than where there is a ladder; and

have a head clearance of at least 2 m measured vertically above the surface of the platform.