CFR > Title 29 - Labor > SUBTITLE B—Regulations Relating to Labor > CHAPTER XVII—OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (parts 1900 to 1990) > PART 1918—SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR LONGSHORING > SUBPART C—Gangways and Other Means of Access (§1918.21 to §1918.26) > 1918.25—Bridge plates and ramps (See also § 1918.86).

1918.25—Bridge plates and ramps (See also § 1918.86).

(a) Bridge and car plates (dockboards). Bridge and car plates used afloat shall be well maintained and shall:
(1) Be strong enough to support the loads imposed on them;
(2) Be secured or equipped with devices to prevent their dislodgement;
(3) Be equipped with hand holds or other effective means to permit safe handling; and
(4) Be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent vehicles from running off the edge. 3

Code of Federal Regulations

Footnote(s): 3 When the gap to be bridged is greater than 36 inches (.91m), an acceptalbe means of preventing vehicles from running off the edge is a minimum side board height of two and three-quarter inches.
(b) Portable ramps. Portable ramps used afloat shall be well maintained and shall:
(1) Be strong enough to support the loads imposed on them;
(2) Be equipped with a railing meeting the requirements of § 1918.21(b), if the slope is more than 20 degrees to the horizontal or if employees could fall more than four feet (1.22 m);
(3) Be equipped with a slip resistant surface;
(4) Be properly secured; and
(5) Be designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent vehicles from running off the edge. 4

Code of Federal Regulations

Footnote(s): 4 When the gap to be bridged is greater than 36 inches (.91m), an acceptable means of preventing vehicles from running off the edge is a minimum side board height of two and three-quarter inches.

Code of Federal Regulations

[62 FR 40202, July 25, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 40944, June 30, 2000]