Several serious accidents have happened related to portable ladders used on board. In the latest incident, a crewmember was paralysed after the ladder he was standing on fell. The Steamship Mutual P&I Club insurance company has now urged caution in the use of portable ladders. Some of the advice given is to carry out risk assessments, secure the ladder at the top and bottom, and make sure it is not overloaded.
(Safety for sea)