S.L. 646.8 Art. 17Danger areas.

(1) The employer shall take all necessary steps, including the installation of appropriate devices, to prevent unauthorised access to any person in any area where there exists a risk to health and safety.

(2) The employer shall take suitable and sufficient measures, as far as reasonably practicable, to:

(a) indicate clearly any danger areas;

(b) ensure the health and safety of persons authorised to enter danger areas.

(3) An employer shall ensure that every fixed vessel, structure, sump or pit of which the edge is higher than the highest ground or platform on which a person can stand and that can cause, or permit a person to fall into it, shall, if it contains any scalding, corrosive or poisonous liquid, either be securely covered or be securely fenced to at least one metre above that ground or platform, or where by nature of the work neither secure covering nor secure fencing to that height is practicable, all practicable steps shall be taken to prevent any person falling into the vessel, structure, sump or pit.

(4) Where any fixed vessel, structure, sump or pit contains any scalding, corrosive or poisonous liquid that is not securely covered, no ladder, stair or gangway shall be placed above, across or inside it which is not -

(a) at least forty-five centimetres wide, and

(b) securely fenced on both sides to a height of at least one metre and securely fixed.

(5) Where any such vessels, structures, sumps or pits as are mentioned in subregulation (3) adjoin, and the space between them, clear of any surrounding stone or other work, is less than forty-five centimetres in width, or are not securely fenced on both sides to a height of at least one metre, secure barriers shall be so placed as to prevent passage between them: Provided that for the purposes of this regulation a ladder, stair or gangway shall not be deemed to be securely fenced unless it is provided either with sheet fencing or with an upper and lower rail and toe boards.