STEP CHANGE FOR SAFETY GLOBAL SHARING NOV 2013 - SLIPS, TRIPS & FALLS | Page 11

Just identifying these hazards, by day or by night, is
important, but it is well worth considering what might be
done to make them more visible and more obvious to
somebody who is not so familiar with the ship. This is
important work, because some of these hazards may
be potentially lethal, should somebody trip over an
obstructi on and plummet down a ladder. A simple trip
can become life changing, even life threatening and
give rise to enormous claims.
Will the eye pick out that ringbolt or other obstruction
on a dark deck? Five minutes work with a pot of yellow
paint will make the obstruction obvious. That potentially
deadly sill at the top of a ladder can be quickly made
distinguishable by painting it a bright colour, while the

same strategy can be used to highlight hazards such as
overhead pipes which can brain the unwary in the
engine room or on deck. Top and bottom steps on
ladders painted brightly, really will help people
negotiate them without tripping up.