Descending stairs safely
- Safety Flash
- Published on 30 July 2021
- Generated on 2 November 2025
- IMCA SF 21/21
- 1 minute read
On one of our Members’ vessels, an observation was raised relating to the hazards associated with steep stairs.
The subject is worthy of a timely reminder for us all. There are diverse international standards and references for stairs.
For example, the United States’ OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) defines that all ship stairs (or ship ladders) “between 60 and 90 degrees, be device-facing, so any ship's ladder that is angled 60 degrees or steeper must be descended backing down”.
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Members may wish to revisit or re-use the IMCA posters on safe use of stairs and ladders: |
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