(1) You must not permit employees to board or leave any vessel, except a barge or river towboat, until the following requirements have been met:

(a) Whenever practical a gangway of not less than twenty inches wide walking surface of adequate strength, maintained and secured must be used. If a gangway is not practical a substantial straight ladder, extending at least thirty-six inches above the upper landing surface and adequately secured against shifting or slipping must be provided. When conditions are such that neither a gangway nor a straight ladder can be used, a Jacob's ladder meeting the requirements of subsection (4) of this section may be used.

(b) Each side of such gangway, and the turn table if used, must have a railing with a minimum height of thirty-three inches measured perpendicularly from rail to walking surface at the stanchion and a mid rail. Rails must be of wood, pipe, chain, wire or rope and must be kept taut at all times.

(c) Gangways on vessels inspected and certified by the United States Coast Guard are deemed to meet the foregoing requirements, except in cases where the vessel's regular gangway is not being used.

(d) The gangway must be kept properly trimmed at all times.

(e) When a fixed tread accommodation ladder is used, and the angle is low enough to require employees to walk on the edge of the treads, cleated duckboards must be laid over and secured to the ladder.

(f) When the lower end of a gangway overhangs the water between the ship and the dock in such a manner that there is danger of employees falling between the ship and the dock, a net or other suitable protection must be rigged at the foot of the gangway in such a manner as to prevent employees from falling from the end of the gangway into the water or into the surface.

(g) If the foot of the gangway is more than one foot away from the edge of the apron, the space between them must be bridged by a firm walkway equipped with railings, with a minimum height of thirty-three inches with midrails on both sides.

(h) Supporting bridles must be kept clear so as to permit unobstructed passage for employees using the gangway.

(i) When the upper end of the means of access rests on or flush with the top of the bulwark, substantial steps properly secured and equipped with at least one substantial handrail approximately thirty-three inches in height must be provided between the top of the bulwark and the deck.

(j) Obstructions must not be laid on or across the gangway.

(k) The means of access must be illuminated for its full length.

(l) Unless construction of the vessel makes it impossible, the means of access must be so located that drafts of cargo do not pass over it. Loads must not be passed over the means of access while employees are on it.

(2) You must make sure gangways meeting the requirements of subsection (1)(a), (b), (i), (j) and (k) of this section are provided for access from wingwall to vessel or, when two or more vessels other than barges or river towboats are lying abreast, from one vessel to another.

(3) You must meet the following requirements for access to barges and river towboats:

(a) Ramps for access of vehicles to or between barges must be of adequate strength, provided with side boards, well maintained and properly secured.

(b) Unless employees can step safely to or from the wharf, float, barge, or river towboat, a ramp meeting the requirements of subsection (1)(a) of this section must be provided. When a walkway is impractical, a substantial straight ladder, extending at least thirty-six inches above the upper landing surface and adequately secured against shifting or slipping, must be provided. When conditions are such that neither a walkway nor a straight ladder can be used, a Jacob's ladder meeting the requirements of subsection (4) of this section may be used.

(c) The means of access must meet the requirements of subsection (1)(i), (j), and (k) of this section.

(4) Jacob's ladders.

(a) Jacob's ladders must be of the double rung or flat tread type. They must be well maintained and properly secured.

(b) A Jacob's ladder must either hang without slack from its lashings or be pulled up entirely.