EnglishPREVENTING TRIP HAZARDS IN MACHINERY SPACES ON BOARD SHIPS
Published: 14 October 2025
MACHINERY SPACES ON BOARD SHIPS CAN CONTAIN MANY SLIP, TRIP, AND FALL HAZARDS. AS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF PERSONAL INJURIES, IT IS IMPERATIVE TO PREVENT THEIR OCCURRENCE AND ADDRESS THEM PROMPTLY WHEN DISCOVERED.
There is a distinction between temporary or operational hazards, and those that are permanent or exist by nature of the ship’s structures or arrangements. However, for both, early identification and subsequent action to make these hazards safe are key.
TEMPORARY HAZARDS – MITIGATE AND REMOVE PROMPTLY
Temporary hazards should ideally be identified during the work planning and risk assessment processes. Constant vigilance from all personnel, along with adequate work equipment and safe work procedures are also required to reduce the risk. This is particularly important during periods such as dry dock, when many hazards may be present simultaneously.
Slipping hazards are generally the results of leakage, spillage or poor housekeeping. Effective preventative measures include adequate maintenance, good operational practices and regular cleaning. Ongoing cleaning (not just upon completion of a task) during maintenance and other work can be overlooked but is vitally important to keep the workplace safe. No one should enter a machinery space without proper personal protective equipment, regardless of the task being carried out or the length of time inside.
The use of flexible hoses, electrical cables, portable tools etc., are all necessary parts of conducting work in machinery spaces. However, these items present substantial tripping hazards, and their use should be controlled as far as possible with every effort made to highlight their placement. Hoses or electrical cables should be led in a way to prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard. Where this is not fully possible, consider the use of cable ramps to cover them or S hooks to suspend them clear of walkways. Portable tools and other items should not be left unattended, and it is recommended to keep them in a highlighted area when not in use.
Falling hazards are arguably the most dangerous for personnel, and the most likely to result in a serious injury. Removal of guard rails or opening of hatches should be minimised, and adequate temporary barriers put in place to prevent personnel from reaching a position of danger.
A common hazard that can combine tripping and falls from height is the removal or inadequate securing of floor plates. When floor plates are removed it is essential to inform all personnel who may pass that area, with barriers put in place at a sufficient distance from the removed section. Floor plates must be resecured properly once re-fitted, as failing to do so can cause plates to shift off supports and allow personnel to fall through when stepping on them. They can also become tripping hazards when able to rise above adjacent flooring. The simple solution is to always fully secure floor plates and gratings when not being used to allow access. If machinery space flooring is being removed regularly for operational reasons, a safer arrangement should be installed.
PERMANENT HAZARDS – IDENTIFY AND RAISE AWARENESS
Permanent hazards such as pad eyes on deck, access arrangements, changes in flooring height etc. often rely on personal observation to identify. Experience and knowledge sharing is of great importance to assist others. Regular health and safety inspections by the ship’s safety officer is also a productive way to identify hazards.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Whilst permanent solutions to prevent trip and fall hazards are preferred, it is not always feasible to do so. In situations where permanent removal or modification is not possible (or timely), different solutions are required.
It is recommended that tripping hazards are adequately highlighted, either by painting or marking them. Items such as changes in floor height, isolated physical tripping hazards, and the final steps of ladders/stairways etc. should be painted in a contrasting colour. The use of warning signage, particularly glow in the dark warning signs or strips can also draw attention to hazards.
Walkways or access routes throughout a machinery space should be clearly highlighted and obstructions (temporary or permanent) should not normally be present in these areas.
When relying upon markings and signage, it is important that the highlighting is maintained and reapplied as necessary.
Adequate lighting should be assured by the approved initial ship design, however on occasion lighting is modified or replacement lamps are not as bright, reducing the ambient lighting in an area. A management of change procedure should be followed if repositioning lighting, and generally the same specification lamps should be used when replacement is required to prevent areas of poor visibility.
Familiarisation tours for personnel should include identification of known hazards and the actions to take should any unsafe conditions be discovered.
Slips, trips, and falls can cause life changing injuries and are always avoidable. By encouraging active reporting, establishing robust procedures, and maintaining good housekeeping, their likelihood can be minimised.
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