PREVENTING 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 too